Psychosocial functioning of children suffering from epilepsy in parents’ opinion

Introduction. Frequency of occurrence of epilepsy in children and youth is significantly higher in comparison with adults’ population and
makes about 75% of all bouts with a clear superiority up to 10th year of life. Pharmacological treatment should be combined with a systematically conducted psychotherapeutic procedure, properly carried out stimulation of psychomotor development, psychological procedure — taking into account family and school& profession counselling and psycho-corrective procedure of incorrect parental attitudes and people
who are especially significant in the upbringing process of ill child.

Aim of the study. The goal of conducted research was learning about development and psychosocial functioning of children suffering from epilepsy.

Material and methods. The research was conducted at the turn of May and June 2006 in Infantile Neurology Clynic in Warsaw among
parents of 38 children with diagnosed epilepsy. The study used a questionnaire survey.

Results and conclusions. In the study group prevailed children aged 6–15 (29 patients). Usually the cause of epilepsy was unknown but in 14 children was the perinatal trauma. Sixteen parents claimed that the most common cause of seizures is stress.
In the vast majority of children difficulties in reading and correct writing were observed. Parents most often observed changes in their
children’s mood and depression. Seven parents claimed that they do not have any knowledge of epilepsy and cannot manage the problem of epilepsy in their children and 24 were unable to recognize signs of impending seizure. Most of the respondents (25 persons) assessed the child’s relationships with peers as friendly, 13 parents stated that they encountered circumambience intolerance due to their child’s illness.