Ask The Expert On Demand Webinar: The Assessment and Management of Postictal Psychosis-Ask The Expert On Demand Webinar: The Assessment and Management of Postictal Psychosis

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In the webinar on the assessment and management of postictal psychosis, Dr. Drago Saboe discusses the complexities involved in treating postictal psychiatric conditions in epilepsy patients. The session highlights the importance of recognizing and categorizing psychiatric phenomena associated with epilepsy, such as postictal psychosis, which can occur after a seizure or a cluster of seizures, and postictal aggression and delirium. The challenges presented by these conditions include a potential delay in recognition due to a lucid interval, where the patient appears fine before psychotic symptoms manifest.<br /><br />Dr. Saboe emphasizes the need for prompt recognition and treatment of postictal psychosis to prevent risky behaviors like self-harm. He explains that the prevalence of such conditions is higher among patients with long-standing and drug-resistant epilepsy. Key management strategies involve ensuring patient safety and using medications like antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, often off-label, adjusted according to individual patient needs and contraindications. Safety measures in an epilepsy monitoring unit or at home are crucial to prevent injuries due to postictal aggression.<br /><br />Furthermore, Dr. Saboe discusses the importance of consistent monitoring and potential interdisciplinary collaboration with psychiatrists to address both seizure control and psychiatric symptoms effectively. The session concludes with a call for more research and better characterization of these psychiatric conditions to improve treatment outcomes.

Keywords

postictal psychosis

epilepsy

psychiatric conditions

seizures

postictal aggression

Dr. Drago Saboe

treatment strategies

antipsychotics

epilepsy monitoring

interdisciplinary collaboration