Epilepsy in Learning Disabilities

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of epilepsy in learning disabilities and its association with mental illness and behavioural disturbance. Case notes were examined of adults and elderly people registered with specialist learning disability services in the Hull and Holderness area, England. Clients were divided into two groups: people with learning disabilities with an active history of epilepsy and those with no history of epilepsy. Findings from 240 clients were: 45 percent had active epilepsy; of these, 33.3 percent had onset of seizures before the age of 1 year, 76.9 percent had more then one seizure a month, and 50 percent were on one anti-epileptic drug. No significant association was found between epilepsy and behavioural disturbances or mental illness. These results may add some weight to the argument that epilepsy does not necessarily increase the incidence of mental illness and/or behavioural disturbance.