ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the various psychological problems associated with a diagnosis of epilepsy will be considered. Such responses can include high levels of anxiety and depression, low self-esteem, poor sense of control, aggression and some more serious disturbances such as psychosis. The prevalence of such problems will be examined, evidence about their aetiology will be reviewed, and consideration will then be given to the contribution of the clinical psychologist to their assessment and treatment. The focus of this chapter will be upon adults with epilepsy; consideration of behavioural problems in children with epilepsy are discussed in Chapter 10. Rather than providing an exhaustive account of these variables, which would fill a book on its own, this chapter will serve as an introduction, highlighting the main issues.
