Newer AEDs Raise Risk of Self-Harm, Suicidality

Additionally, the study could not specifically identify the type of epilepsy for each patient. “In fact, the issue of suicidality in epilepsy needs to take into account all epilepsy variables, but mostly a careful examination of the mental state of the patients,” wrote Dr. Mula of the University Hospital Maggiore della Carità in Novara, Italy, and Dr. Sander of the University College London Institute of Neurology.

They noted that recent research suggests that a subgroup of epilepsy patients tends to develop psychiatric side effects whenever a new medication is introduced. “These people are usually drug-refractory, with a previous history, and often a family history, of psychotic disorders and may possibly have a functional abnormality in the limbic system” that predisposes them to self-harming behaviors.