Religion and epilepsy.

A study of 57 consecutive patients with epilepsy who were attending a neurological epilepsy clinic at a general hospital, was carried out. A preliminary analysis of the data revealed that 33% had at some time been treated for a psychological disorder, 51% had 'normal' and 60% 'abnormal' interests in religion and related belief systems. Fifty-one percent had undergone a significant change in their interest in these matters in the past (religious conversion). A significant association was found between the 'abnormal' group and psychopathology, and religious conversion. These associations were not found with the 'normal' group.