In spite of remarkable progress in drug therapy, childhood and adolescent epilepsy is often a distressing condition lasting several years before possible recovery. Adaptation problems to the disease and also to health recovery are likely to occur. Stigma and discrimination may persist also after recovery. 11,12 Depression in children and adolescents with epilepsy is a common but often unrecognized disorder. Both epilepsy and depression are characterized by a chronic course and poor long- term psychosocial outcome. Educating parents about mood disorders may allow them to be more receptive to psychiatric treatment for their child or themselves. The early identification and treatment of.
