Depressive disorders are commonly found among selected groups of patients with epilepsy, but hypomania is seldom seen. Three cases of hypomania seen at a unit specialising in epilepsy are presented. The cases are of interest because of their association with recent seizures, and location in the non-dominant temporal lobe.

SynopsisA schedule is described for rating the symptoms of mental illness over a period of time which includes several episodes. The reliability was measured in a study involving six raters. The sources of information required were studied, in 20 patients, by comparing an interview with the patient, a similar interview with an informant and an analysis of the case records. A synopsis of interview and record data are necessary to obtain adequate information about longitudinal psychopathology and ‘lifetime’ diagnosis.