Mental illness, personality traits and quality of life in epilepsy: control study of patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and other epilepsies

Introduction. The association of epilepsy with mental illness is described for years. Current is trying to relate certain epilepsies, such as juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) with certain personality traits marked by emotional instability. Subjects and methods. We study a group of patients with JME and his mental state, with emphasis on the personality traits, presence of clinical anxiety or depression and quality of life, with other epilepsy patients versus a control group. Results. Patients with epilepsy have more marked personality traits and symptoms of anxiety and depression, making a more negative assessment of their quality of life than the control group. Patients with others epilepsy have a higher other personality disorder and a poorer perception of their quality of life than patients with JME. Conclusions. Differences are obtained among patients with epilepsy and control groups in all the variables analyzed (personality, anxiety, depression and quality of life). JME patients have better scores on personality and quality of life than those in the other group of epilepsies.