Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-7cvxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T08:25:56.961Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Ictal aggression in severely mentally handicapped people

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Mary Creaby ,
Mary Warner ,
Nahla Jamil  and
Sudad Jawad
Mary Creaby
Affiliation:
Brothers of Charity Services, Woodlands, Renmore, Galway
Mary Warner
Affiliation:
Brothers of Charity Services, Woodlands, Renmore, Galway
Nahla Jamil
Affiliation:
Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff
Sudad Jawad
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF4 4XN
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective: To study the relationship between epilepsy and aggression in a population of severely mentally handicapped people. Methods: Comparing epilepsy and aggression variables in people with epilepsy without aggression, people with aggression without epilepsy, and people with both. The epilepsy variables were: seizure frequency, classification, anticonvulsant drugs, therapeutic drug monitoring, and neuroleptic drugs. Aggression variables were: frequency, direction, type, and neuroleptic drugs. Results: Prevalence of aggressive behaviour was similar in people with and without epilepsy (36%). Partial seizures were less prevalent in people with epilepsy and aggression. People with epilepsy were more likely to manifest unprovoked aggression directed against property. Conclusion: Some episodes of aggressive behaviour in people with epilepsy may be ictal in origin.

Keywords

Ictal aggressionMental handicap
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 10 , Issue 1 , February 1993 , pp. 12 - 15
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Fenwick, P. Is dyscontrol epilepsy? In: Trimble, M, Reynolds, EH, editors. What is epilepsy? Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1986: 161–182.Google Scholar
2.Kaplan, J. Kopftrauma und Psychoser. Allgemeine Zeitschrift fur Psychiatrie 1899: 56: 292–296.Google Scholar
3.Gastaut, H, Morrin, G, Lesevre, N. Etudes du compartment des epileptiques psychomoteur dans l'interval de leurs crises. Ann Med Psychol (Paris) 1955; 113: 1–29.Google Scholar
4.Currie, S, Heathfield, W, Henson, R, Scott, D. Clinical course and prognosis of temporal lobe epilepsy: a survey of 666 patients. Brain 1971; 94: 173–190.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Rodin, E. Psychomotor epilepsy and aggressive behaviour. Arch Gen psychiatry 1973; 28: 210–213.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6.Derro, R. Admission health evaluation of a ciry county workhouse. Minn Med 1978; 61: 331–337.Google Scholar
7.Gunn, J. Forensic psychiatry. In: Granville, – Grosseman, K, editor. Recent advances in clinical psychiatry. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1979: 271–279.Google Scholar
8.King, D, Young, Q. Increased prevalence of seizure disorders among prisoners. JAMA 1978; 239: 2674–2675.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Whitman, S, Coonley-Hoganson, R, Desai, B. Comparative head trauma experience in two socio-economically different Chicago-area communities: a population study. Am J Epidemiol 1984; 119: 570–580.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.Gunn, J. Criminality and violence in epileptic prisoners. Br J Psychiatry 1971; 118: 337–343.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.Monroe, R. Episodic behavioural disorder. Boston: Harvard University Press, 1970.Google Scholar
12.Maltesky, B. Episodic behavioural disorders. Boston: Harvard University Press, 1973.Google Scholar
13.Tunks, E, Dermer, S. Carbamazepine in the dyscontrol syndrome associated with limbic system dysfunction. J Nerv Ment Dis 1977; 164: 56–63.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Commission on Classification and Terminology of the International League Against Epilepsy. Proposal for revised clinical and electroencephalographic classification of epileptic seizures. Epilepsia 1981; 22: 489–501.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15.Luchins, S, Dojka, D. Lithium and propranolol in aggression and self injurious behaviour in the mentally retarded. Psychopharmacol Bull 1989; 25: 372–375.Google ScholarPubMed
16.Langee, H. A retrospective study of mentally retarded patients with behavioural disorder who were treated with carbamazepine. Am J Ment Retard 1989; 93: 640–643.Google Scholar
17.Barrett, R, Feinstein, C, Hale, W. Effects of naloxone and naltroxone on self injury: a double blind placebo controlled analysis. Am J Ment Retard 1989; 93: 644–651.Google Scholar
18.Corbett, T, Harris, R, Robinson, R. Epilepsy. In: Wortis, J, editor. Mental retardation and developmental disabilities; vol VII. New York: Raven Press, 1975: 79–111.Google Scholar
19.Shorvon, S, Reynolds, E. Reduction of polypharmacy for epilepsy. BMJ 1979; 11: 1023.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
20.Mackay, A. Antischizophrenic drugs. In: Tyrer, P, editor. Drugs in psychiatric practice. London: Butterworths, 1982: 42–81.CrossRefGoogle Scholar