Antiepileptic drugs have been more and more used by psychiatrists in treatment of disorders not related to epilepsy. Valproate and carbamazepine are approved in the treatment of Bipolar Disorder, as mood stabilizers. Lamotrigine also showed efficacy in bipolar depression, and gabapentine is a promising drug in treatment of anxiety disorders. This drugs are also being studied in other psychiatry disorders, as borderline personality, Schizophrenia, and agitation related to dementia.

The authors make a review about the use of antiepileptic drugs in Psychiatry disorders, with focus on mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects and efficacy.

In the past, Antiepileptic drugs were exclusively for epilepsy. Now-a-days, they are used in a variety of Psychiatry disorders. This is a good example about the connexion between Psychiatry and Neurology.