Postictal psychosis: common, dangerous, and treatable

Epilepsy Curr. 2008 Mar-Apr;8(2):31-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1535-7511.2008.00227.x.

Abstract

Postical psychosis often complicates chronic epilepsy, especially in patients with seizure clusters that include tonic-clonic seizures, bilateral cerebral dysfunction (e.g., bilateral epileptiform activity or history of encephalitis), and a family history of psychiatric illness. Psychosis includes delusions, auditory and visual hallucinations, mood changes, and aggressive behavior. It typically emerges after a lucid interval of hours or days after the last seizure. This treatable disorder is associated with serious morbidity and mortality.