Successful cognitive-behavioral habituation training toward photophobia inphotogenic partial seizures

We report on the cognitive-behavioral treatment of a 12-year-old boy with p hotogenic partial seizures with secondary generalization who had developed phobic avoidant behavior toward all kinds of situations with potential phot ostimulation, leading to serious impairments of life quality. Based on a be havioral analysis of seizure and anxiety reaction, a habituation training ( systematic desensitization procedure) was developed and performed, while ma intaining protection against seizures with antiepileptic pharmacotherapy. T he treatment was to gradually increase exposure to computer monitor and tel evision screen photostimulation, closely adjusted to the level of subjectiv e distress and tolerance. In addition to exercising control of photogenic i nput by regulating the monitor control button, rapid relaxation and imagery techniques were taught and applied as countermeasures at the onset of seiz ure precipitants. The treatment resulted in complete remission of phobic an xieties and responses and may also have facilitated ongoing seizure control after termination of antiepileptic medication.