Milena Gandy , Gaston Baslet , Sophie Bennett , Heidi M. Munger Clary
{"title":"Providing integrated mental health care as a neurologist","authors":"Milena Gandy , Gaston Baslet , Sophie Bennett , Heidi M. Munger Clary","doi":"10.1016/j.yebeh.2025.110368","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mental health comorbidities are highly prevalent and problematic in epilepsy, making it important for neurologists to be equipped to manage their patients’ mental health concerns. This article explores the paradigm shift toward integrated mental health care approaches, aiming to educate early-career neurologists on their role within epilepsy care. We focus on depression and anxiety, how they present in epilepsy, and the role of integrated mental health care in managing these comorbidities. Key areas include the neurologist’s role in identifying mental health issues through patient discussions and screening tools, and the basics of neurologist-led management. This covers the selection and adjustment of antiseizure medications and the use of psychopharmacology. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of providing psychoeducation and promoting healthy lifestyle choices that support mental well-being. Finally, we discuss the neurologist’s role in facilitating referrals to mental health specialists, including information about the role of psychological interventions and psychiatry. This article aims to provide foundational knowledge to encourage early-career neurologists to actively engage in integrated mental health care approaches with their patients. This care can be flexible in how it incorporates different modalities and is tailored to local resources. It does not have to be extensive but should be meaningful enough to identify mental health concerns and facilitate patient access to appropriate resources and care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11847,"journal":{"name":"Epilepsy & Behavior","volume":"166 ","pages":"Article 110368"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Epilepsy & Behavior","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505025001076","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Mental health comorbidities are highly prevalent and problematic in epilepsy, making it important for neurologists to be equipped to manage their patients’ mental health concerns. This article explores the paradigm shift toward integrated mental health care approaches, aiming to educate early-career neurologists on their role within epilepsy care. We focus on depression and anxiety, how they present in epilepsy, and the role of integrated mental health care in managing these comorbidities. Key areas include the neurologist’s role in identifying mental health issues through patient discussions and screening tools, and the basics of neurologist-led management. This covers the selection and adjustment of antiseizure medications and the use of psychopharmacology. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of providing psychoeducation and promoting healthy lifestyle choices that support mental well-being. Finally, we discuss the neurologist’s role in facilitating referrals to mental health specialists, including information about the role of psychological interventions and psychiatry. This article aims to provide foundational knowledge to encourage early-career neurologists to actively engage in integrated mental health care approaches with their patients. This care can be flexible in how it incorporates different modalities and is tailored to local resources. It does not have to be extensive but should be meaningful enough to identify mental health concerns and facilitate patient access to appropriate resources and care.
期刊介绍:
Epilepsy & Behavior is the fastest-growing international journal uniquely devoted to the rapid dissemination of the most current information available on the behavioral aspects of seizures and epilepsy.
Epilepsy & Behavior presents original peer-reviewed articles based on laboratory and clinical research. Topics are drawn from a variety of fields, including clinical neurology, neurosurgery, neuropsychiatry, neuropsychology, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology, and neuroimaging.
From September 2012 Epilepsy & Behavior stopped accepting Case Reports for publication in the journal. From this date authors who submit to Epilepsy & Behavior will be offered a transfer or asked to resubmit their Case Reports to its new sister journal, Epilepsy & Behavior Case Reports.