Co-morbid psychiatric disorder in chronic epilepsy: Recognition and etiology of depression

This article briefly presents one approach to conceptualizing known and sus pected risk factors for co-morbid psychiatric disorder in epilepsy. The uti lity of this model is then reviewed by examining selected neurobiologic, ps ychosocial, and iatrogenic risk factors for a common co-morbid psychiatric disorder, interictal depression. Finally, data are presented concerning the rates of current and lifetime mood disorders among a sample of 76 patients with chronic complex partial seizures, the degree to which co-morbid depre ssion has been recognized and treated in chronic epilepsy, and the health-r elated quality of life status associated with current and past mood disorde rs. Finally, these findings are related to the larger literature concerned with the recognition and treatment of depression.