Impairments of control and competence in epileptic children and their families.

Epilepsy can introduce disturbances within child, parent, and family systems. Epilepsy, as a medical disorder, disrupts the patient's and parents' sense of control and competence. This, in turn, affects the evolving negotiations (the family process) related to the establishment of the child's growing sense of autonomy and competence. Epilepsy's impact on these central family issues, as well as on the child's sense of self, can become the major long-term complication. The medical management of epilepsy must consider how to assist with these issues as part of the overall treatment plan.