Panic attacks in the differential diagnosis and treatment of resistant epilepsy

Depress Anxiety. 2002;15(4):190-2. doi: 10.1002/da.10038.

Abstract

The authors present four patients displaying panic disorder and a history of epileptic seizures to illustrate difficulties regarding differential diagnosis between epileptic seizures and panic attacks. The cases describe the aversive properties of epileptic seizures, the role of visual seizure-triggering stimuli as phobic cues, and the effectiveness and safety of clomipramine treatment of panic attacks as an adjunct to concurrent antiepileptic medication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / therapeutic use*
  • Clomipramine / therapeutic use*
  • Clonazepam / therapeutic use*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Epilepsy / diagnosis*
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Panic Disorder / diagnosis*

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
  • Clonazepam
  • Clomipramine