Fear of seizures: an investigation and treatment

Abstract

Despite the wealth of epidemiological evidence showing the comorbidity of epilepsy with various forms of psychopathology, there has been little systematic investigation of its relationship with affective disorders. This study aims to explore the phenomenon of seizure fear. Survey data have suggested that patients commonly fear death and/or brain damage as a result of their seizures, but documented cases of seizure phobia are rare and infrequently address issues of treatment. The study describes the exploration and successful cognitive behavioural treatment of a case of seizure phobia in a 26 year old woman with a 9 year history of epilepsy following a subarachnoid haemorrhage. The findings represent an important development in the much-neglected study of seizure fear. The case highlights some of the factors which may contribute to the genesis and maintenance of epilepsy-related psychopathologies and consequently has important implications for theoretical modelling in this area. Furthermore, it provides encouraging evidence to support the use of cognitive-behavioural techniques in treatment of these disorders.