Symptoms of depression and anxiety in pediatric epilepsy patients.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed rates of symptoms of anxiety and depression among pediatric patients with epilepsy.


METHODS
We administered the Revised Child Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), and Child Depression Inventory (CDI) to 44 epilepsy patients aged 7-18 years (mean age 12.4 years). Demographic, socioeconomic, and epilepsy-related information was examined in relation to depression and anxiety scores.


RESULTS
No patients had been previously identified to have depression or anxiety. However, 26% had significantly increased depression scores and 16% met criteria for significant anxiety symptomatology.


CONCLUSIONS
Symptoms of depression and anxiety are common among pediatric patients with epilepsy and appear to be overlooked by care providers.
Ettinger
A B
AB
Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Management Program, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 11794-8121, USA.
Weisbrot
D M
DM
Nolan
E E
EE
Gadow
K D
KD
Vitale
S A
SA
Andriola
M R
MR
Lenn
N J
NJ
Novak
G P
GP
Hermann
B P
BP
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors