Separation anxiety and depression in caregivers of epileptic patients

OBJECTIVE: Epilepsy is a com-mon neurological disorder affecting both the patients and the caregivers psychologically. Caregivers of these patients might have to face several challenges throughout the course of the disease. This study examines the correlations between the separation anxiety and depression of caregivers of adult and child epileptic patients according to their relation to the patients (parent vs. partner).PATIENTS AND METHODS: 50 participants (caregivers of epileptic patients) were includ-ed. A sociodemographic form, Beck Depression (BDI) and Anxiety (BAI) Scales, and Adult Sepa-ration Anxiety (ASA) Scale were applied to the participants.RESULTS: 54% of the patients in the study had generalized seizures, whereas 46% had focal seizures. Our study has found the BAI of woman caregivers was higher compared to male care-givers. BAI and ASA were significantly higher for caregivers of patients with an illness duration lower than 5 years who were on multiple medica-tions than for caregivers of patients who had an illness duration of more than 5 years who were on single medication (p<0.05). BDI, BAI and ASA scores were significantly higher in the general-ized epilepsy group than in the focal epilepsy group (p<0.05). The ASA score was significant-ly higher in females than in males (p<0.05). The ASA score was significantly higher in the group with a low educational level than in the group with a high educational level (p<0.05) CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study in-form healthcare professionals regarding the needs of caregivers of epilepsy patients, especially around emotional problems. Results of this study demonstrate significant association between epi-lepsy seizure type, and separation anxiety and de-pression. Our study is the first study focused on the separation anxiety of the caregivers of epileptic pa-tients. Separation anxiety has a negative impact on the personal independence of the caregiver.