Psychiatric effects of the anticonvulsant regimens.

The necessity for and efficacy of the anticonvulsant regimens are undisputed. However, inasmuch as epileptic patients are prone to psychiatric disorders, neurologists, psychiatrists, and others working with epileptic patients need to be aware of the role that anticonvulsant regimens may play in causing or exacerbating psychiatric disorders. Additionally, some of the anticonvulsants are thought to have potent positive psychotropic effects. The current literature on this important biopsychosocial topic is reviewed with the purpose of suggesting helpful clinical and research approaches to patients treated by such methods.