Explaining postictal psychosis and depression treatment to a partner — CASC communication station

Station brief

Format. Communication station, approximately 7–10 minutes after reading time. You are the psychiatry registrar. Neurology remains involved. You meet the partner alone first.[1]

Candidate instructions. Explain postictal psychosis in plain language, including the lucid interval and why this is not ordinary "madness from stress." Address fear about AEDs honestly (some can affect mood/behaviour; stopping all AEDs abruptly is dangerous). Explain why depression screening/treatment matters and that carefully chosen antidepressants (often SSRIs) are commonly used in epilepsy. Agree a shared safety and follow-up plan. Avoid inventing legal section numbers.[2][4]