Loneliness, Anxiety and Depression among Patients with Epilepsy

Abstract

Introduction. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. The unpredictability of epileptic seizures can lead to feelings of loneliness, social isolation and stigmatisation. Due to the nature of this syndrome, patients may also show symptoms of depression.
 Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of anxiety, depression and loneliness, and the relationship between loneliness and depression among adult patients with epilepsy.
 Material and Methods. This was a cross-sectional, observational study. A total of 206 patients with epilepsy participated in the study. The study was conducted using a website dedicated for persons with epilepsy. Data was collected from November 2021 to March 2022. Two research tools were used in the study: DeJong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-M) and an author-developed demographic questionnaire to characterise the study group.
 Results. The prevalence of depressive symptoms and borderline abnormalities was 51.5%, 22.8%, respectively. In the depression subscale, 48.1% of the respondents had depressive symptoms and 22.1% had borderline abnormalities. The anxiety and irritability subscales showed disorders in 34.5% and 69.4% of the respondents, respectively. A very high and high level of loneliness was found in 17% and 26% of respondents, respectively. A moderate level of loneliness was reported by 40% of respondents. In terms of emotional loneliness, severe and moderate loneliness affected 52% and 21% of respondents, while severe and moderate social loneliness was reported by 41% and 28% of respondents.
 Conclusions. The study showed relatively high levels of loneliness and depressive symptoms. A significant correlation was found between the level of loneliness and the intensity of depressive symptoms. (JNNN 2023;12(1):34–43)