High and low perceived self-control of epileptic seizures

Purpose: To define behaviours and to identify psychological, demographic, a nd epilepsy-related variables associated with high as opposed to low percei ved self-control of seizures. Method: In a semistructured interview, 100 adults with intractable seizures were asked about their seizure precipitants and attempts at self-control o f seizures. They also completed four psychological questionnaires. Latent C lass Analysis was used to analyse the interview data to create two groups, High Controllers and Low Controllers, who were then compared on demographic , epilepsy, and psychological characteristics. Results: Being able to identify and seeking out low-risk-for-seizure situat ions. avoiding high-risk-for-seizure situations, and making attempts at sei zure inhibition were seizure behaviours that discriminated High from Low Co ntrollers. The general probability of being a High Controller was greater t han that of being a Low Controller. Perceived high self-control of seizures was associated with low chance-health locus of control. For Low Controller s. current age, age at onset of seizures, and duration of epilepsy history were related to psychological variables. A significantly higher proportion of the Low Controllers than High Controllers were women. Conclusions: Many people with intractable seizures do not accept their epil epsy as a condition over which they have no control. Perceived self-control of seizures, however, involves a complex interaction between epilepsy and psychological factors, with health locus of control an apparently important discriminator between High and Low Controllers.