IS THERE A PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL AND THERAPEUTIC LINK BETWEEN PANIC DISORDER AND EPILEPSY

Relations between panic disorder (PD) and epilepsy (E) have repeatedly been discussed. Three patients with juvenile E who had been free of s eizures under anticonvulsant medication for many years and developed P D are presented. Increasing anticonvulsant medication resulted in comp lete and stable remission of PD. It is hypothesized that, in a subgrou p of patients with PD, there is a pathophysiological relation to E. Fu rther research into the usefulness of anticonvulsants in the treatment of PD, especially in therapy-refractory cases, is suggested.