Psychosocial intervention in pediatric epilepsy: A critique of the literature

It is well documented that youth with epilepsy are at increased risk for psychopathology. The current literature supports a biopsychosocial model of adjustment to pediatric epilepsy, and implies that interventions focused on changing youths’ cognitions and illness appraisals, as well as enhancing their coping skills, may be an effective treatment for psychosocial maladjustment associated with pediatric epilepsy. The purpose of this article is to review and critique the extant literature covering psychological interventions that target psychosocial adjustment in youth with seizures followed by those aimed at reducing seizure frequency. For health care professionals treating epilepsy, establishing evidence-based interventions that target psychiatric difficulties in youth with epilepsy should be paramount in the promotion of optimal epilepsy outcomes. Thus, future recommendations for clinical endeavors and research proposals are also presented.