SIG | Psychosocial Comorbidities: Beyond Generalized Anxiety Disorder—Unpacking the Various Anxieties in Epilepsy

Friday, December 3, 2021
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OVERVIEW:

The 2021 Psychosocial Comorbidities Special Interest Group highlights identification and management of anxieties in epilepsy, with a focus on epilepsy-specific anxieties and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) anxiety diagnoses besides generalized anxiety disorder, such as panic disorder and phobias.

Multiple research studies have shown that anxiety in epilepsy is underdiagnosed and undertreated. In order to improve the quality of life and outcomes for people with epilepsy, screening and treatment must improve. This sessions presents:

  1. A framework for conceptualizing the epilepsy specific anxieties, including preictal, ictal, and postictal anxiety, as well as epilepsy specific interictal anxieties such as anticipatory anxiety of seizures
  2. Management considerations for these epilepsy specific anxieties
  3. Diagnosis of anxiety disorders, with a focus on an instrument developed specifically for epilepsy and diagnostic criterial for panic disorder and phobias
  4. An interactive panel debate about the concept of epilepsy specific anxieties versus DSM anxieties 
  5. Content on management of panic disorder and phobias

This presentation is followed by a brief interactive case-based discussion among attendees and panelists.

Learning Objectives:

Following participation in this activity, participants will be able to:

  • Describe epilepsy-specific anxiety (preictal, ictal, postictal) and interictal anticipatory anxiety of seizures
  • Summarize management considerations for epilepsy specific anxieties
  • Describe DSM anxiety diagnoses, especially panic disorder, agoraphobia, and social phobia
  • Implement screening strategies for detecting anxiety in people with epilepsy
  • Summarize treatment strategies for DSM diagnoses, including panic disorder, agoraphobia, and social phobia

Program:

SIG Coordinators: Heidi Munger Clary, MD, MPH, Jay Salpekar, MD, FAES, and Elaine Kiriakopoulos, MD, MSc
Chair: Heidi Munger Clary, MD, MPH
Co-Chair: Elaine Kiriakopoulos, MD, MSc

Epilepsy Specific Anxieties, Peri-ictal and Interictal: A Framework with Treatment Considerations | Coraline Hingray, MD

Beyond Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Detecting DSM Anxiety Disorders in Epilepsy and a Novel Psychotherapy Approach | Milena Gandy, PhD

Does It Matter Whether the Anxiety is Peri-Ictal or Interictal for Management Purposes? | Heidi Munger Clary, MD, MPH

Treating DSM Anxiety Disorders in Adults and Children: Focus on the Non-GAD Disorders | Jay Salpekar, MD, FAES

Case Discussion | Elaine Kiriakopoulos, MD, MSc

Education Credit:

1.5 Nursing Contact Hours 

1.5 Pharmacy Contact Hours 

1.5 CME

Activity Type
Special Interest Group
Credit
CME
CE
Format
In person
On-demand
Career Stage
Early Career (typically 0-5 years from completion of training)
Mid-Career (typically 6-15 years from completion of training)
Senior (typically >15 years from completion of training)
Audience
Advocates
Advanced Practice Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Clinicians
Fellows/Trainees
Nurses
Pharmacists
Scientists/Researchers
Technicians
Demographic
Clinical
First-time Attendees
Research