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Background: Depression is most common psychiatric disorder in patients with epilepsy and it is the significant cause of morbidity. 1 Upto 50-60 percent of patients with epilepsy may develop psychiatric complications, particularly depression, anxiety, and psychotic disorders. 2 There is growing evidence of biological link between depression and epilepsy, and significant factors involved are the biological amines and gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) 3 along with other neurobiological and psychosocial factors. This study assess the symptoms and severity of psychiatric comorbidities in patients diagnosed with epilepsy. Methods and Findings: This study was conducted on patients attending psychiatric outpatient epilepsy clinic in psychiatry department, government medical college, Amritsar. A total of 40 patients were studied to find out the prevalence and severity of depression by using self applicable questionnaire, Beck depression inventory (BDI), 4 and MINI, in patients who are diagnosed with epilepsy by clinical interview and examination by senior psychiatrist consultant. In the results of our study 50% patients had psychiatric co-morbidities.40% had depressive disorder. Depression is found to be more among females in our study. 22.5 % were females and 17.5% were males. Among depressed patients, 22.5% had severe depression. Prevalence of moderate depression was 15% , and 2.5 % had borderline clinical depression, 5% had psychosis, and 5% had substance dependence. Conclusion: Diagnosing psychiatric co-morbidities can be difficult in patients with epilepsy. The treatment of both epilepsy and depression need for close collaboration. Patient taking antiepileptic medication may have symptoms of depression as a result of their treatment. Sadly, data from drug trials are often helpful. The antiepileptic medications most closely associated with acute depression on initiation of treatment are vigabatrin, phenobarbitone, and topiramate. Depression with topiramate may be due to abrupt cessation of seizures or drug toxicity. Patients starting tiagabine may develop symptoms of agitation, withdrawal, and mood disturbance suggestive of depression;. Thus good awareness and recognition of psychiatric conditions can help a long way in improving the quality of care of patients with epilepsy.

BACKGROUNDCaregivers of patients suffering from mental illness report burden in different areas including effects on family functioning, psychological problems, financial problems and health.The aim of the study is to determine the sociodemographic profile and caregiver burden among caregivers of persons with schizophrenia and to study the effect of patients' psychopathology on caregiver burden scale. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe present study was conducted in the Psychiatry Department, Government Medical College, Amritsar. A sample size of 34 was taken who were primary caregivers (preferably parents or spouse) of schizophrenia patients diagnosed using ICD10. Measures included caregiver's demographic variables and caregiver's burden using the Zarit burden interview and PANSS scale in patients. Statistical Analysis-Data was analysed using SPSS software version 21. RESULTSThe mean age of the caregiver was 42 SD (12.16) years. The majority of the caregivers were parents, married and employed. The mean average score of the responses to Zarit burden interview was (SD=59.52 ± 20.92). Majority of the caregivers experienced severe burden (52.9%), 9 (26.4%) caregivers had reported moderate burden and 6 (17.6%) had reported mild burden. The mean duration of illness was 6.89 (SD=5.03) years. The level of burden experienced was significantly associated with total PANSS score, negative symptoms, positive symptoms, general psychopathology score and duration of schizophrenia illness (p=0.00). CONCLUSIONThere is need for psychological assistance and social support for the vulnerable caregivers to help them reduce the burden levels and employ positive coping strategies.