Psychological defense peculiarities in patients with brain tumor induced epilepsy

Aim ― The aim of this study was to assess the levels of psychological distress in patients with brain tumor induced epilepsy as well as evaluation of predominant psychological defence mechanisms. Material and Methods ― Eighty-five adult patients diagnosed with brain tumors and admitted at the neurosurgical department, Ryazan Regional Clinical Hospital between September 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016 were included in the study. The main group had two subgroups: 20 patients with brain tumor induced epilepsy and 65 patients with no epileptic seizures. Twenty relatively healthy subjects constituted the control group. Psychometric tests including Life Style Index, Level of Subjective Control and Beck Depression Inventory in the form of questionaires were used in the study. Results ― Statistically significant strong positive as well as negative correlations were established amongst intellectualization, productiveness, projection and health relations parameters in patients with brain tumor induced epilepsy as compared to moderate correlations in patients with no epileptic seizures. Patients with symptomatic epilepsy demonstrated constructive methods of psychological defence as compared to patients with no seizures. However, patients with no seizures, based on predominance of outward hostility projection are likely to have a more favourable long-term outcome. Conclusion ― Life Style Index and Level of Subjective Control psychometric tests are an important component in the complex evaluation and treatment of patients with brain tumors and should be advocated as useful additional investigation method based on their prognostic value in patients with possible terminal illness.