A Patient with Mania and Photoconvulsive Epilepsy

Abstract

Objective: To describe a young patient who had a comorbidity of mania and photoconvulsive epilepsy. Clinical picture: This patient presented with a clinical picture of mania which proved difficult to treat until an EEG revealed the presence of photoconvulsive epilepsy. Treatment: Treatment with haloperidol and lithium was unsuccessful but the addition of carbamazepine produced a dramatic response. Haloperidol was stopped and the patient maintained on lithium and carbamazepine. Outcome: A successful outcome was achieved with carbamazepine and the patient has remained well on this treatment for 2 years. Conclusions: The authors postulate that there may be an association between photoconvulsive epilepsy and mania, perhaps on a kindling basis. The literature pertaining to the psychiatric aspects of photoconvulsive epilepsy is reviewed.