Psychosis and epilepsy
I just read your editorial regarding the devastating consequences of psychotic relapses (From the Editor, Current Psychiatry, May 2021, p. 9-12). I was shocked to read of the extent of the damage caused by such relapses and the positive impact of LAIs, and I thank you for opening my eyes.
I work in the spheres of psychiatry, epileptology, and whole genome sequencing, and have experienced a psychotic episode myself (in 2013, after temporal lobe resection and overdose). I now consider myself even more lucky to be out the other side! As Governor for South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) and Trustee for Epilepsy Action, many of our patients have psychosis. Some patients with epilepsy even experience postictal psychosis. Just yesterday, we had a call at SLaM regarding patients from a secure unit, and a psychiatric nurse spoke about patients at risk to themselves and others because of their psychotic illness, and how crucial effective long-term care was.
Torie Robinson
CEO, Epilepsy Sparks
Dr. Nasrallah responds
Ms. Robinson, thank you for sharing your story. It is important to note that the neurobiology of the psychosis that may occur with epilepsy may not be as neurodegenerative as the psychosis of schizophrenia. Many neurologic conditions can be associated with psychotic episodes, not only epilepsy. I am glad you overcame your post-temporal lobectomy psychotic episode and have had a very good outcome with high functioning.
Henry A. Nasrallah, MD
Editor-In-Chief
Disclosures
Dr. Chepke is a consultant to and speaker for Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, and Alkermes. The other authors report no financial relationships with any companies whose products are mentioned in their letters, or with manufacturers of competing products.