Anxiety and Depression in Epilepsy: A Treatment Study

Participants will be given escitalopram 10mg by mouth daily and will be followed up with at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks. Medication will be adjusted if side effects occur. If unable to tolerate escitalopram, then venlafaxine XR (Effexor XR) 37.5mg will be substituted.

Participants randomized to control will have a psychiatry referral order placed by the treating epileptologist under typical care circumstances. This will be an internal or external referral order based on patient preference. If external, the order will be printed along with instructions for the patient to follow to find a provider covered by insurance.

One time survey will be offered to individuals who are found to have anxiety or depression symptoms on screening but who are ineligible for the treatment component of the study, or who decline the treatment study.