Re: psycosomatic

Posted By shelly on July 13, 1999 at 22:56:36
I am a thirty one year old female in pretty good condition and feel that I am mentally stable.  I recently obtained a copy of my medical records and found that my doctors had said that I was psychosomatic.  I used to have migraines when I was a child from 5yrs on up to about 8.  My doctors couldnt tell that I had these headaches;I remember them.  They were horrible.  Anyway the file said that I basicly caused my own headaches that would last for days sometimes.  Can a person bring on that much pain for days?  Why would a child do this?  I had a great family life and enjoyed life to the fullest being the tom boy that I was.  I just cant figure out why this diagnosis was made.
Once, when I was 5 I got really sick and couldnt walk almost.  I had every test ran that was in at the time still they found nothing.  Could I have brought this on too? (This time they didnt give me much of a chance to live but couldnt find anything wrong)  It just doesnt make sense.  What do you think about it?

[HFHS M.D.-HG]

Posted By HFHS M.D.- HG on July 17, 1999 at 11:19:06
Dear Shelly,
        
                  I am not clear  on how extensive medical evaluation you had undergone when you had those headaches. Because, before considering a diagnosis of psychosomatic disorder, a thorough evaluation is needed to R/O  organic causes.. In  psychosomatic illness, the symptom information is  unconscious.
               Psychosomatic disorders which are  now classified under the criteria " Psychological factors affecting medical conditions" specifies that psychological  factors adversely affect patients medical conditions in one of several ways -either by causing or by exacerbating or by delaying recovery from the condition. There are several theories ( stress, emotional conflicts, genetic vulnerability ) that were proposed to explain psychosomatic illness, but are still controversial. It is unclear if there were any factors in your childhood which would make you prone to this type of illness.
            Two thirds of all patients with migraine headaches have family histories of similar disorders. Obsessive personalities who are overly controlled and perfectionistics can have these headaches in times of non-specific conflicts or stress. Psychotherapy and certain behavioral techniques in addition to medications are reported to be useful.
               For more information on these disorders, you may refer to " Synopsis of  P sychiatry" 8th edition. This information  is provided for general educational purposes only and should not replace evaluation by a physician.
Key words: Psychosomatic disorders

[shely__0__0]

Posted By shelly on July 20, 1999 at 00:49:30
I have had every test imaginable.  I was sent to Duke University for every test out there scans, hypnosis you name it.  The head aches stopped now I only occasionally have a bad one.  (But not a migraine).  Wouldnt I still be making myself sick?  Nothing has changed, I am still the same ole person I have always been. My doctors did say though that they believed that what ever I had would come back and possibly end my life. I have hope that theres a doctor out there for me.










Follow Ups:


Re: psycosomatic Jeff 8/08/1999
(2)

psycosomatic Shelly 8/09/1999
(1)

Re: psycosomatic AnnaC 8/12/1999
(0)