**1. Introduction**

294 Novel Aspects on Epilepsy

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#### **1.1 Background and purpose**

Patients with epilepsy commonly have associated psychological, psychiatric and social issues. The objective is to look into the psychosocial problems that are encountered by the patients with epilepsy.

#### **1.2 Methods**

The literature on psychosocial issues of patients with epilepsy will be reviewed. The differences of the issues between the two genders are also explored. We also would like to look into the literature regarding the differences in the social and psychological issues in the western countries as compared to the Asian countries.

#### **1.3 Results**

A high number of patients with epilepsy have depressive illness and psychosis. They also have higher rate of suicidal attempts or ideation. They also have negative social skills and impaired coping mechanisms. Unemployment and higher anxiety states are more frequent for women with epilepsy as compared to men with epilepsy. Female patients have more difficulty finding life partners and have higher rate of divorce compared with males. Women with epilepsy rarely use constructive coping methods, and thus have poor psychosocial status and adjustment within the family and society.

### **1.4 Conclusions**

Patients with epilepsy have higher risk of psychiatric problems with behavioural changes. Female patients tend to have more mood disorders and social problems in comparison to male patients.
