Journal of Mental Science (1952) 98: 404-410. doi: 10.1192/bjp.98.412.404
© 1952 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Psychiatric Aspects of Epilepsy in Children*

D. A. Pond, M.D., M.R.C.P., D.P.M., Senior Lecturer

Department of Clinical Neurophysiology Institute of Psychiatry, and Honorary Consultant Physician Maudsley Hospital, London

* Based on an address given to the Child Psychiatry Section of the Royal Medico Psychological Association, February, 1951.

ABSTRACT

Children with epileptic seizures seen at the Maudsley Hospital Children's Department form the basis of this report. The psychiatric symptoms are considered in relation to factors within the child (brain damage, type of epileptic process, intellectual factors, body-build, etc.) and environment factors. Several clinical groups of patients are described, children with petit mal, with brain damage and with mental defect being the most important. The psychiatric aspects of seizure, of treatment and the problems of differential diagnosis are discussed. It is concluded that there are several personality types commonly seen in association with epileptic fits which are the product of many constitutional and environmental factors.

Received for publication December 22, 1951.