HEALTH boards should screen all patients attending epilepsy clinics for mental health issues, experts said.
Epilepsy Scotland urged the SNP Government to intervene after research found one in three people living with the condition have depression.
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The charity is calling on NHS chiefs to implement routine screening with immediate referral to mental health support services if needed.
It said it could echo a pilot already in place for kids in Lothian.
The call coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week, which starts today.
CEO Lesslie Young said an epilepsy diagnosis had an “enormous psychological impact” on many, adding: “Screening will aid earlier identification of the specific mental health needs of people living with epilepsy and provide resources for them to be met.”
The Scottish Government said almost £650,000 had been put towards projects for sufferers, adding: “This includes counselling and one-to-one support.”
It comes after we told how a “game changing” laser therapy was coming to the NHS next month.
The cutting edge fibre-optic treatment involves drilling a tiny hole in the skull to target the affected areas of the brain.
Doctors then thread through a 1.5mm-wide probe containing the laser to destroy the seizure-causing tissues by heating them from the inside.
Using an MRI scanner, the clinical team navigates through the brain, avoiding blood vessels and other critical structures.
They also monitor the temperature of the surrounding areas to make sure healthy tissue doesn’t overheat.
Recovery time is far quicker than traditional surgical methods, with patients typically out of hospital within 24 to 48 hours.
They can usually return to work and other activities within a week.