Comments on: The Nature of Neurological Diagnosis http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-nature-of-neurological-diagnosis/ Your Daily Fix of Neuroscience, Skepticism, and Critical Thinking Wed, 22 May 2013 19:30:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: NeuroLogica Blog » Promising Alzheimer’s Treatment http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-nature-of-neurological-diagnosis/comment-page-1/#comment-4702 NeuroLogica Blog » Promising Alzheimer’s Treatment Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:49:32 +0000 http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=342#comment-4702 [...] implies that there are specific features (usually pathological) that distinguish it and a specific pathophysiological entity. For example, Parkinsonism is a category of neurological disorders that have the same signs and [...] [...] implies that there are specific features (usually pathological) that distinguish it and a specific pathophysiological entity. For example, Parkinsonism is a category of neurological disorders that have the same signs and [...]

]]> By: Dread Polack http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-nature-of-neurological-diagnosis/comment-page-1/#comment-4682 Dread Polack Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:38:03 +0000 http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=342#comment-4682 I was diagnosed with "Idiopathic Hypersomnia" a couple years ago, which as far as I understand means "really sleepy, and we don't know why." My doctors have referred to it with both the above term as well as "Narcolepsy." I've been told that IH might just be narcolepsy without all the symptoms. In fact, it's not known exactly what causes narcolepsy, and it overlaps with insomnia, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia. My diagnosis was based solely on symptoms (excessive daytime sleepiness, inability to stay asleep for long, occasional sleep paralysis). There is a spinal fluid test that isn't 100%, and there is talk of a genetic marker, but it's still a young science with very little funding. I have no doubt that something is "wrong," but I think this is another good example. Sadly, those of us with Narcolepsy/ Idiopathic Hypersomnia are often doubted and called "lazy" because there's no clear cause. I've seen people roll their eyes at migraine sufferers as well. I know better. I was diagnosed with “Idiopathic Hypersomnia” a couple years ago, which as far as I understand means “really sleepy, and we don’t know why.” My doctors have referred to it with both the above term as well as “Narcolepsy.” I’ve been told that IH might just be narcolepsy without all the symptoms. In fact, it’s not known exactly what causes narcolepsy, and it overlaps with insomnia, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia.

My diagnosis was based solely on symptoms (excessive daytime sleepiness, inability to stay asleep for long, occasional sleep paralysis). There is a spinal fluid test that isn’t 100%, and there is talk of a genetic marker, but it’s still a young science with very little funding.

I have no doubt that something is “wrong,” but I think this is another good example. Sadly, those of us with Narcolepsy/ Idiopathic Hypersomnia are often doubted and called “lazy” because there’s no clear cause. I’ve seen people roll their eyes at migraine sufferers as well. I know better.

]]> By: Niels Kjaer http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-nature-of-neurological-diagnosis/comment-page-1/#comment-4541 Niels Kjaer Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:02:50 +0000 http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=342#comment-4541 Bi-polarity is complementary to circular singlemindedness. There are many diagnostic tools for both states. I represent one of them. This blog is not bi-polar. This blog is healthy. Several Nobel prize winners have been diagnosed as bi-polar. This they let others know, and they know themselves what bi-polar actually means. The only ones ignorant about bi-polarity are typically doctors. These doctors are typically described as being "circular singleminded". Nobel prize winners love symmetries. In theoretical physcis Richard Feynman constructed Feynman diagrams which unify bi-polar and circular flow of information. I have developed and implemented this method to unify bi-polar and singleminded thinking. Excess stress can be measured physically. I apologize to anyone, if I my rantings have stressed anyone. Would the following qoute designated to Michael Savage be considered politically correct? "I left the cinema just after Rainman had started, it was just 2 4 autistic 4 meme" Niels, who has no plans of changing his name, and don't really mind being called names by other humans. Names are just names, thoughts matter. I don't mind improving my english. "I live and breathe from feedback" Bi-polarity is complementary to circular singlemindedness.
There are many diagnostic tools for both states. I represent one of them. This blog is not bi-polar. This blog is healthy.

Several Nobel prize winners have been diagnosed as bi-polar. This they let others know, and they know themselves what bi-polar actually means. The only ones ignorant about bi-polarity are typically doctors. These doctors are typically described
as being “circular singleminded”. Nobel prize winners love symmetries. In theoretical physcis Richard Feynman constructed Feynman diagrams which unify bi-polar and circular flow of information. I have developed and implemented this method to
unify bi-polar and singleminded thinking.

Excess stress can be measured physically. I apologize to anyone, if I my rantings have stressed anyone.

Would the following qoute designated to Michael Savage be considered politically correct?

“I left the cinema just after Rainman had started, it was just 2 4 autistic 4 meme”

Niels, who has no plans of changing his name, and don’t really mind being called names by other humans. Names are just names, thoughts matter. I don’t mind improving my english.

“I live and breathe from feedback”

]]> By: Nitpicking http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-nature-of-neurological-diagnosis/comment-page-1/#comment-4533 Nitpicking Sat, 26 Jul 2008 03:09:59 +0000 http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=342#comment-4533 A relative of mine, a gerontological social worker married to an O.D., once told me that there was a blood test for schizophrenia. "No, there isn't." "Yes, there is. Whenever I have to admit one of my clients to a hospital because they're hallucinating, they get a bunch of blood tests and then say it's schizophrenia." "No, they're just ruling out other diagnoses." "YOU'RE WRONG! I'll look it up on the Internet!" An hour later, she gave up on finding the mythical blood test for schizophrenia and went so far as to ask her husband. Now, he was a very loving spouse, and he HATED telling her she was wrong ... but in the end he was too truthful to mislead her. My point is that this is a very intelligent woman who spends hours in hospitals and nursing homes as part of her job, and yet she got this weird idea and wouldn't give it up. A relative of mine, a gerontological social worker married to an O.D., once told me that there was a blood test for schizophrenia.

“No, there isn’t.”

“Yes, there is. Whenever I have to admit one of my clients to a hospital because they’re hallucinating, they get a bunch of blood tests and then say it’s schizophrenia.”

“No, they’re just ruling out other diagnoses.”

“YOU’RE WRONG! I’ll look it up on the Internet!”

An hour later, she gave up on finding the mythical blood test for schizophrenia and went so far as to ask her husband. Now, he was a very loving spouse, and he HATED telling her she was wrong … but in the end he was too truthful to mislead her.

My point is that this is a very intelligent woman who spends hours in hospitals and nursing homes as part of her job, and yet she got this weird idea and wouldn’t give it up.

]]> By: psychability http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-nature-of-neurological-diagnosis/comment-page-1/#comment-4532 psychability Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:22:34 +0000 http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=342#comment-4532 Clinical syndrome diagnoses help clinicians communicate. They're not static; they're labels that help us know what we're talking about but that change with our knowledge base. This is particularly true in psychiatry, which is still a very young science. The labels are constructed by committees that try their best to make sense of the available information but are also sometimes politically motivated. We have seen and will see further modifications in diagnoses such as autism as we come to better understand the different etiologies and subtle clinical differences. Makes it difficult for the general public but jumping on a particular ideological or political bandwagon will not ultimately further the cause of patients. Clinical syndrome diagnoses help clinicians communicate. They’re not static; they’re labels that help us know what we’re talking about but that change with our knowledge base. This is particularly true in psychiatry, which is still a very young science. The labels are constructed by committees that try their best to make sense of the available information but are also sometimes politically motivated. We have seen and will see further modifications in diagnoses such as autism as we come to better understand the different etiologies and subtle clinical differences. Makes it difficult for the general public but jumping on a particular ideological or political bandwagon will not ultimately further the cause of patients.

]]> By: DevilsAdvocate http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-nature-of-neurological-diagnosis/comment-page-1/#comment-4517 DevilsAdvocate Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:58:58 +0000 http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=342#comment-4517 I really appreciate this entry on basic diagnostics, took me back. I wonder if I can use it for recert hours? I really appreciate this entry on basic diagnostics, took me back.

I wonder if I can use it for recert hours?

]]> By: The Alpha Centaurian http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-nature-of-neurological-diagnosis/comment-page-1/#comment-4514 The Alpha Centaurian Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:45:07 +0000 http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=342#comment-4514 @Potter1000 - No, not a complete denier. Only a 99% denier ;) Truth is, I don't think it's denial so much as it's a lack of understanding. It's just a shame that people who don't know what they're talking about are doing all the talking! @Potter1000 – No, not a complete denier. Only a 99% denier ;)

Truth is, I don’t think it’s denial so much as it’s a lack of understanding. It’s just a shame that people who don’t know what they’re talking about are doing all the talking!

]]> By: Potter1000 http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-nature-of-neurological-diagnosis/comment-page-1/#comment-4513 Potter1000 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:15:08 +0000 http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=342#comment-4513 Apparently Michael Savage, as explained by some network spokesperson on his website, spoke inartfully and meant no insult to anyone affected (for real) by autism. Here's the statement: http://michaelsavage.wnd.com/?pageId=1156 Of course he remains an ignorant jag on this and many other topics, but he's apparently not a complete autism denier. Apparently Michael Savage, as explained by some network spokesperson on his website, spoke inartfully and meant no insult to anyone affected (for real) by autism. Here’s the statement:

http://michaelsavage.wnd.com/?pageId=1156

Of course he remains an ignorant jag on this and many other topics, but he’s apparently not a complete autism denier.

]]> By: iamthebrillo http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-nature-of-neurological-diagnosis/comment-page-1/#comment-4508 iamthebrillo Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:30:25 +0000 http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=342#comment-4508 I see a lot of overlap between this blog and the debate you had last year with Dr. Fred Baughman regarding mental illness denial. The absence of concrete objective findings doesn't mean doctors are making it all up. And speaking broadly about diagnoses, let me just say that as a medical student (and as a future Pathologist currently doing his Psychiatry rotation), I wish more patients would read the textbook. I guess I got spoiled studying for the boards where every Behavioral Science question was painfully obvious. I see a lot of overlap between this blog and the debate you had last year with Dr. Fred Baughman regarding mental illness denial. The absence of concrete objective findings doesn’t mean doctors are making it all up. And speaking broadly about diagnoses, let me just say that as a medical student (and as a future Pathologist currently doing his Psychiatry rotation), I wish more patients would read the textbook. I guess I got spoiled studying for the boards where every Behavioral Science question was painfully obvious.

]]> By: alyric http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-nature-of-neurological-diagnosis/comment-page-1/#comment-4503 alyric Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:12:35 +0000 http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=342#comment-4503 As far back as 1965, Leo Kanner complained that every child with a form of brain damage was being labelled autistic - and for much the same reason as you cited for Hannah Poling. If the neurological effects are pervasive enough, you can bet that the child will meet the questionnaire style criteria for DSM autism. I wonder if Hannah still meets the criteria? But getting back to the main point, if the label 'autism' applies equally to a wide range of congenital abnormalities as well as kids with more subtle difficulties, then what utility does it have? How do you treat kids appropriately, what tack do you take? As far as I can see, the very non-specificity of the term is terrible for autistics in terms of proper support and gives aid and comfort to galahs like Kirby who rejoice in how far they can stretch the term to incorporate, 'autistic encephalitis', for example. Not mind you that Kirby gets points for originality here (when did he ever), since he knicked the idea from Wakefield - just a minor variant on 'autistic enterocolitis'. As far back as 1965, Leo Kanner complained that every child with a form of brain damage was being labelled autistic – and for much the same reason as you cited for Hannah Poling. If the neurological effects are pervasive enough, you can bet that the child will meet the questionnaire style criteria for DSM autism. I wonder if Hannah still meets the criteria?

But getting back to the main point, if the label ‘autism’ applies equally to a wide range of congenital abnormalities as well as kids with more subtle difficulties, then what utility does it have? How do you treat kids appropriately, what tack do you take? As far as I can see, the very non-specificity of the term is terrible for autistics in terms of proper support and gives aid and comfort to galahs like Kirby who rejoice in how far they can stretch the term to incorporate, ‘autistic encephalitis’, for example. Not mind you that Kirby gets points for originality here (when did he ever), since he knicked the idea from Wakefield – just a minor variant on ‘autistic enterocolitis’.

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