Abstract Objective To study the psychosocial state of epileptic children and their parents, and to give them psychological intervention. Methods We designed a “Psychosocial Inventory for Children with Epilepsy” and a “Questionnaire for Parents of Children with Epilepsy” and used these tools to assess psychosocial state of 105 epileptic children and their parents. Intervention consisted of courses about epilepsy and individual consultation for psychosocial disturbances. Results Worries about epilepsy and drug effects existed in 51.4% and 26.7% of the children with epilepsy, respectively; 46.7% , 23.8% , and 31.4% of the children were worst on their emotion, social function and health state, respectively; 26.7% weren't satisfied with the quality of life. About half of the parents were very anxious; they were worried about their children's epilepsy and long term medication; more than one third had little information about epilepsy and the psychosocial state of their children. After the consultation, the psychosocial state of epileptic children and their parents improved obviously; there were significant differences in the results of the above items before and after the consultation (P< 0.01 ). Conclusions Psychosocial disturbances exist in a majority of epileptic children and their parents. Psychosocial consultation is an effective method for eliminating or reducing psychological disturbances.
