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Journal of Pediatric Epilepsy 2018; 07(03): 097-102
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1676537
Review Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Anxiety in Children and Adolescents with Epilepsy

David W. Dunn
1   Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
,
Kelda Walsh
1   Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

29 May 2018

20 September 2018

Publication Date:
14 December 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Anxiety is a common comorbidity in children with epilepsy, though often overlooked and undertreated. Fear and worry are common reactions of children with epilepsy and their parents. Risk factors are multiple and include demographical, epilepsy-related, genetic, and family variables. Anxiety negatively affects health-related quality of life (QOL) and may contribute to poor seizure control. Appropriate treatment of anxiety in children with epilepsy should follow practice guidelines developed for treatment of anxiety in children without epilepsy and consist of education, counseling, and potentially psychopharmacology.

Keywords

childhood epilepsy - anxiety disorders - emotional comorbidity in epilepsy
 

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