Coping with refractory epilepsy

We investigated the coping behaviour and its correlation with demographic a nd illness-related data, depression, locus of control and psychosocial adap tation in 40 patients with intractable epilepsy with primarily or secondari ly generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Three standardized self-reporting que stionnaires were applied, which are the Freiburg Questionnaire of Coping wi th Illness (FKV), the von Zerssen Depression Scale (D-S), and the IPC-quest ionnaire measuring generalized locus of control beliefs; the Social Intervi ew Schedule (SIS), a semi-structured interview, was used to measure the psy chosocial adaptation. Active, problem-focused and compliance strategies wer e predominantly used and regarded as most helpful. Hence, the epileptic pat ients use similar coping patterns reported in patients with other non life- threatening chronic diseases. The level of depression was moderate and in t he range of other chronic somatic diseases. The use of coping patterns, whi ch are regarded as maladaptive, was correlated with distinct depression, a small degree of internal locus of control beliefs and poor psychosocial ada ption. These results indicate the possibility to improve psychosocial adjus tment by supporting effective strategies.