Screening for Depression and Related Mood Disorders

Everyone has occasional symptoms of depression or anxiety. These feelings become a 'disorder' when they last so long or are so intense that they interfere with a person’s ability to function. Indications of mood disorders and depression include problems at work or at school, spending less time with friends, doing fun things or interacting with others. Increased use of alcohol and recreational drugs may also be a telltale sign.

Many patients experience problems with mood. You may have a mood disorder if you feel anxious, depressed, irritable, or have feelings of fear, panic, or pain that are not easily explained by your seizures or other medical causes for a period of more than two weeks.

Depression is the most common mood disorder experienced by people with epilepsy and may affect more than half of people with uncontrolled seizures. Here is a list of some common symptoms of depression:

• Loss of interest or enjoyment of activities
• Excessive feelings of guilt
• Change in appetite and weight
• Trouble sleeping
• Tiredness
• Sadness

If you have mood symptoms that affect your usual activities, screen yourself by completing the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy screening tool (referred to as the NDDI-E screening tool). This tool can help to identify major depression in people with epilepsy. The NDDI-E screening tool could enable rapid detection and improve management of depression in epilepsy in accordance with internationally recognized guidelines.

It is recommended that you complete the online screening and share your results with a health care professional. The impact of mood disorders on your life is at least as important as your seizures and should receive the same attention to treatment. Do not hesitate to bring up this subject during an office visit and share the results of your screening with your doctor.

Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E) Screening Tool

The NDDI-E confidential questionnaire is designed to help you screen for depression. Your answers to the screening tool will generate a score that you will see upon completion of the questionnaire.