Page 86 - JCBP-3-3

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Impact of seizures on life

comprehensive neurological, neuropsychological, and formulated. These themes and the relevance of the
psychiatric evaluation was performed. This study involves fragments included were later discussed in two meetings
continuous recording of the patient’s behavior through where M.S. and M.M.A.P. participated, where the codes
video and electroencephalogram (EEG) activity, with the and themes were redefined.
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aim of correlating between clinical and electrical activity
and it is the gold-standard method for differential diagnosis 3. Results
between DRE or DS. 28 Five interviews with DRE patients and five with DS patients
Patients over 18 years old were included, with a were included. All participants were women, aged between
confirmed diagnosis of DRE or DS by VEEG. Patients 18 and 44 years. Table 1 shows sociodemographic data.
were excluded if they had not completed all diagnostic The average duration of the interviews was 50.29 min,
steps, had an IQ <70 according to the Wechsler Adult with the shortest being 36.08 and the longest 60.34 min.
Intelligence Scale, third edition, or had both types of
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seizures (DS and ES). Three main themes related to the topic “impact on life”
were identified:
To ensure comparability between groups, participants (i) Role of emotions. Emotional manifestations linked to
were selected using a paired sampling approach, where the disease, both preceding and as a consequence of
patients with DRE and DS were matched based on the seizures.
demographic factors such as age and gender. This method (ii) Impact on social interaction. How the disease impacted
allowed for a balanced comparison between the two relationships with others.
groups. (iii) Impact on daily life activities. The way in which people
2.3. Procedure discontinued activities due to the disease or continued
despite it.
This study was conducted in the epilepsy center of two
public hospitals in Buenos Aires, Argentina: Hospital 3.1. Role of emotions
General de Agudos José María Ramos Mejía and Hospital Both groups of patients spontaneously shared emotion-
El Cruce. Both centers are reference centers, free of charge, related accounts during the interviews.
and are attended by people from across the country and
neighboring countries. Most of the patients are from low- DS patients reported that emotions could trigger their
income sectors without access to health insurance. seizures, particularly stress and joy. They also expressed
feeling shame to a greater extent, followed by fear, anguish,
DRE patients’ interviews were conducted in the VEEG discomfort, and irritation. To a lesser extent, they reported
unit. In the case of patients with DS, the interviews were feeling worry, hopelessness, frustration, and sadness.
conducted at the hospital offices after the communication Themes, subthemes, and illustrative quotations are listed
of the diagnosis and the psychoeducation process. in Table 2.
All interviews were conducted face-to-face by trained
psychologists (M.S., M.M.A.A.P., G.K., C.T., A.L.) between On the other hand, DRE patients also perceived
February and November 2018. During the interviews, only emotions (anxiety, stress, and sadness) as triggers of
the interviewers and the interviewee were present. seizures. As a consequence of the disease, fear, discomfort,
sadness, and anger were identified to a greater extent,
Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained followed by hope and finally anguish and shame. Themes,
from electronic medical records. subthemes, and illustrative quotations are presented in
All participants signed an informed consent. This study Table 3.
was approved by the Ethics Committee of Hospital Ramos
Mejía and Hospital El Cruce. 3.2. Impact on social interaction
Almost all DS patients reported a reduced frequency of
2.4. Analysis contact with others as a consequence of the disease. They
Data were analyzed using an inductive and deductive also described experiencing various types of interpersonal
approach, following thematic analysis guidelines. Atlas.ti conflict, including mistreatment by health professionals,
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software (version 7; ATLAS.ti GmbH, Germany) was used. schoolmates, friends or responsible adults, disbelief, and
Audio tapes of the interviews were listened to, transcribed fear of others. Some (fewer than half) reported receiving
verbatim and read multiple times. Independently, two support from their partner, friends, and family. Themes,
researchers (C.W. and G.P.K.) identified codes and subthemes, and illustrative quotations are presented in
categories. Subsequently, topics were discussed and Table 4.

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 80 doi: 10.36922/jcbp.8112