A 45-year-old member asked:
could depression leads to epilepsy?
3 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
Dr. Lynne Weixel answered
Clinical Psychology 36 years experience
More replies welcome: I cannot see any way that depression - even major depression - can lead to epilepsy. I can see how epilepsy can lead to depression.
4580 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Heidi Fowler answered
Psychiatry 25 years experience
I am not: aware of clinical depression being a cause for a seizure disorder.
504 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. William Conte answered
Specializes in Neurology
Nonepileptc seizures: Depression will not lead to true epilepsy, which causes seizures due to abnormal electrical discharges in the brain. But there is a phenomenon of nonepileptic seizures that can sometimes look like seizures, but is not due to frank electrical discharges but rather a manifestation of psychiatric diseases (usually a stress response but sometimes due to depression).
503 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Similar questions
A 37-year-old member asked:
Does the cause of epilepsy also cause depression?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Chris Esguerra answered
Psychiatry 16 years experience
No: There are no clear links between epilepsy and depression. However, it was observed that epileptic seizures were able lift depression in those with epilepsy. This resulted in the use of electroconvulsive therapy for depression, an effective treatment for those who have failed medication trials.
5852 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Is depression related to epilepsy?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Alan Ali answered
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Epilepsy/depression: Depression as result of epilepsy or medication to treat epilepsy, is classified as organic mood disorders.
5630 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Could depression cause epilepsy?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Heidi Fowler answered
Psychiatry 25 years experience
Not that I know of.: I do not know of any cases where depression has been sited as the cause of epilepsy.
5092 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Can there be any way that depression can cause epilepsy?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Adam Hebb answered
Neurosurgery 21 years experience
No: Although they often coexist, they do not cause one another.
5094 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Alfredo Soto commented
Psychiatry 26 years experience
There is a very recent study in Biological Psychiatry that showed people who have a history of depression are at greater risk for seizures
May 26, 2013
A 32-year-old member asked:
I'm depressed, have epilepsy, what do I need to say to get a med card?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Imad Khreim answered
Psychiatry 39 years experience
Apply: You need to present your case and simply list the medical problems that you suffer from. Also list any medications that you are taking now or you took before. List names of doctors who have recently treated or written prescriptions for you, help is available, good luck and feel better.
4944 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Nov 28, 2017
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