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Suicide and Epilepsy

  • Epilepsy (C. Elder, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Epilepsy has a bidirectional association with suicidality, and epilepsy patients are at much higher risk for suicide than the general population. This article reviews the recent literature on suicide risk factors, assessments, and management as they pertain specifically to suicidality in people with epilepsy, a population that requires unique considerations.

Recent Findings

Risk factors for suicidality include younger age (independent of comorbid psychiatric disorders), poor social support, psychiatric comorbidity (depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and alcohol use), and epilepsy-related factors (more frequent seizures, temporal lobe epilepsy, and drug-resistant epilepsy). Most clinicians agree with the need for addressing suicidality; however, there is inconsistency in the approach to caring for these patients. An example neurology clinic-based approach is outlined.

Summary

Although PWE are at risk for suicide and risk factors have been characterized, care gaps remain. Screening strategies may help close these gaps.

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Funding

This work was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health (National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences), grant KL2 TR001421 to H. Munger Clary.

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  1. Department of Psychiatry, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Luciana Giambarberi

  2. Department of Neurology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Luciana Giambarberi & Heidi M. Munger Clary

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  1. Luciana Giambarberi
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Correspondence to Luciana Giambarberi.

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Giambarberi, L., Munger Clary, H.M. Suicide and Epilepsy. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 22, 441–450 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-022-01206-6

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