Individuals who suffer from seizure activity can also exhibit behavioral changes related to their condition. According to Dr. Anne Berg, research professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Northern Illinois University, patients with epilepsy will more likely describe themselves as sad, nervous and worthless; they may experience sleep problems, recurring pain and a lower rate of academic achievement, employment and marriage. Unfortunately, it is difficult to differentiate the effect of seizures from any underlying brain pathology, treatment protocols or developmental variables in younger children. What is understood is that individuals who suffer from a seizure disorder often display behavioral changes recognized by family and friends.
Hyperactivity
According to Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, anticonvulsants may cause drowsiness but make some children hyperactive. In a study reported in "The New England Journal of Medicine," researcher Dr. Farwell discusses the reduced IQ testing results that children exhibited after taking the anticonvulsant medication, phenobarbital, for a long period. Although the medication was well tolerated, it was associated with decreased performance on psychometric testing. This decrease performance has also been associated with hyperactivity.
Social Interactions
Sandra El Sabbagh, in her paper, "Impact of Epilepsy Characteristics and Behavioral Problems on School Placement Children," discusses the reduced social interactions scores that have been found after testing children who suffer from epilepsy. These results have been consistent across several studies. Children who suffer from seizure disorders are often socially isolated because of their medical condition and potentially abnormal physical movements exhibited in school. Each of these factors negatively impacts the ability of the child to interact appropriately with peers.
Depression and Anxiety
In her article revised and published in August 2006, El Sabbagh also discusses the high scores related to depression and anxiety in both children and adults who suffer from epilepsy and seizure disorders. Symptoms of depression and anxiety are often diagnosed concurrently. Children who suffer from depression and anxiety also have difficulty with social interactions and may be unable to perform well academically or in the workplace.
Intelligence
Intelligence is also affected by seizure disorders, and the treatment protocols assigned to both children and adults. In her study published in 1990, Dr. Farwell acknowledges that while phenobarbital is widely used in pediatric neurology and often administered to pregnant women, neonates and children for the treatment of seizure disorders, findings now indicate that a depression in cognitive performance associated with the administration of this drug. The reduced cognition associated with phenobarbital appeared to have disadvantages that outlasted the administration of the drug by several months and did not demonstrate any significant benefits to the individual.
References
- Neurology Reviews; "The Cognitive, Behavioral, and Pyschiatric Impact of Epilepsy"; Colby Strong; February 2010
- Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Seizure Disorders
- The New England Journal of Medicine; "Phenobarbital for Febrile Seizures - Effects on Intelligence and on Seizure Recurrence"; Jacqueline R. Farwell MD; February 1990
- Epilepsy and Behavior; "Impact of Epilepsy Characteristics and Behavioral Problems on School Placement Children"; Sandra El Sabbagh; August 2006
