Psychopathology in epilepsy. The role of psychology in altering paradigms of research, treatment, and prevention.

This article offers a brief review of the literature examining epilepsy and abnormal behavior. The generally accepted concept of epilepsy as a high psychiatric risk disorder is reexamined in light of research that has investigated the influence of selection bias. A conceptual model that organizes the known or postulated risk variables (neurological, psychosocial, and medication) is presented, with emphasis on psychology's potential contribution.