Examining the Prevalence of Depression According to Neurological and Mental Diseases (A Case Study of Epilepsy)

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to identify the prevalence of depression in patients with epilepsy. Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological diseases and its prevalence is about 1%. Epilepsy is caused by abnormal electrical discharge caused by overstimulated neurons with depolarization after the synapse. The mechanisms responsible for this depolarization include, change in ion conduction, reduction of inhibition of the GABA medium nerve on the excitability of the brain cortex, increasing the excitability of the brain cortex due to glutamate. Epilepsy is a syndrome in which electrophysiological changes, structural and biochemical changes in the brain are observed, especially in the limbic system, temporal lobes and possibly frontal lobes. The mentioned changes may affect the emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and social performance of the addict. Although the psychopathology of epilepsy has not been precisely determined, the result of the increase in psychiatric disorders can be seen in this neurological disorder. There is a difference of opinion about the most common psychiatric disorder associated with epilepsy. Some studies have reported depression and others anxiety disorder as the most common disorder. Feelings of worthlessness, despair, sadness, and nervousness were more common in people with epilepsy than in non-epileptics. Intermittent boredom syndrome and epileptic insanity are also among the psychiatric disorders reported in epilepsy patients. It is reported that suicidal thoughts are more common in these patients than in the general population.