Carilion Clinic study links post-seizure psychosis to mental health risks

A study led by researchers at Carilion Clinic suggests that post-seizure psychotic episodes—characterized by delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, and confusion—may be linked to a higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders later in life.

Published in BMJ Neurology Open, the research utilized patient medical records to compare individuals who experienced temporary psychotic symptoms following a seizure against similar patients who did not. While the study does not confirm that these episodes cause mental illness, it identifies a strong correlation between the two.

Lead author Dr. Varsha Nandwana and collaborator Dr. Aashit Shah suggest these findings could shift clinical approaches. Rather than concluding treatment once temporary symptoms subside, clinicians may need to monitor the mental health of epilepsy patients more closely in the months and years following a seizure to ensure earlier intervention and support.