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Pseudo Dementia
After having experienced progressive cognitive decline over the past ten months, coupled with all manner of random shooting pains, blurred vision, muscle twitching, movement issues, etc, I've now been told by two different neurologists in the past month, I'm suffering from some sort of pseudo dementia / severe somatisation disorder.
As previously, perfectly healthy 35 year old male, I find this very hard to accept, but have now had so many different opinions this year, all alluding to the same diagnosis, two normal MRI scans of the brain, innumerable blood tests, etc, I guess I'm just going to have to go with it.
My question is, how is something like pseudo dementia treated?
As previously, perfectly healthy 35 year old male, I find this very hard to accept, but have now had so many different opinions this year, all alluding to the same diagnosis, two normal MRI scans of the brain, innumerable blood tests, etc, I guess I'm just going to have to go with it.
My question is, how is something like pseudo dementia treated?
Hi,
I don't want any anger or bad feelings towards each other as we ARE all here because we care. Sometimes we will disagree and that's OK as we cannot ever know for certain on almost any issue, let alone mental problems.
Suffering such ourselves does give great insight into how others may feel and of course we want to support them and agree with their needs etc but sometimes we do need to be just honest and straight forward and say what is really quite clear from outside a situataion. Again, of ciurse, we can disagree even there but the last thing any of us want is to upset, confuse or misdirect anyone.
I have no doubt I have done all of those things over time even with the best of intentions. How many people would even bother to research these things for someone in need of help? Not many and likely only in a forum like this.
Be assured I respect all posters here for their application, compassion and effort. Including all who ask for help as that is the hardest post to write.
I too know anxiety only too well Jaq, it's a dreadful thing and cannot be treated lightly by anyone. Unless you've felt it it seems rather minor but once you KNOW, it's a horror show you would not want anyone to feel.
I agree 100% on anxiety and depression co existing. In fact I'm of the opinion that anxiety is the parent of depression. It is the ansxuety that ontroduces us to worrying something to death which becomes a natural habid with all things. Which essentially is depression.
Sorry if we have clashed at all, I feel it's not anything but good intent from all and hold no grudges. I hold enough against myself to last a lifetime as it is!!!
Best wishes and hang in there, you do very well on this forum.
I don't want any anger or bad feelings towards each other as we ARE all here because we care. Sometimes we will disagree and that's OK as we cannot ever know for certain on almost any issue, let alone mental problems.
Suffering such ourselves does give great insight into how others may feel and of course we want to support them and agree with their needs etc but sometimes we do need to be just honest and straight forward and say what is really quite clear from outside a situataion. Again, of ciurse, we can disagree even there but the last thing any of us want is to upset, confuse or misdirect anyone.
I have no doubt I have done all of those things over time even with the best of intentions. How many people would even bother to research these things for someone in need of help? Not many and likely only in a forum like this.
Be assured I respect all posters here for their application, compassion and effort. Including all who ask for help as that is the hardest post to write.
I too know anxiety only too well Jaq, it's a dreadful thing and cannot be treated lightly by anyone. Unless you've felt it it seems rather minor but once you KNOW, it's a horror show you would not want anyone to feel.
I agree 100% on anxiety and depression co existing. In fact I'm of the opinion that anxiety is the parent of depression. It is the ansxuety that ontroduces us to worrying something to death which becomes a natural habid with all things. Which essentially is depression.
Sorry if we have clashed at all, I feel it's not anything but good intent from all and hold no grudges. I hold enough against myself to last a lifetime as it is!!!
Best wishes and hang in there, you do very well on this forum.
I probably get a little paranoid when I'm not well. I don't like to admit either though (that I'm bordering on psychotic or that I'm unwell).
Paranoid stuff can be confusing. Too much info, feelings, etc to sort through.
I think the anxiety is mainly from the relationship.
It's easily done. If your heart races, if you head hurts. Many doctors don't take the time, or have the time, to offer reassurance.
Sometimes that pain is real and sometimes it does need pursuing. Sometimes it isn't and doesn't.
Grief can become pathological.
I sense from reading posts that there is a lot of anxiety. Anxiety and depression are often co-morbid. Plus you can have other disorders in there as well (as long as they aren't better explained by another diagnosis).
I agree. There were a lot of different specialties in the mix.
I wouldn't like to think that I would know your pain any better than you would know mine. It's hard to be certain either way. I feel like there is a strong psych component to his presentation but then who am I? He needs to take his own journey, find his own way. It's not something that can be forced by others.
No, I don't have either of those diagnoses (although I believe many of us have at some point experienced those symptoms).
We don't intentionally set out to hurt people. I often hear things that I don't want to hear. Sometimes we have to learn to adapt to the world. It certainly doesn't stop or change for us.
He's had different opinions from different people. He can take what is useful and leave what isn't. He's an adult.
You could read the doctor's response on the mh expert forum to a post titled, Wierd Thing Happened, or something like that. I think the answer is similar. I think there are unresolved issues.
Medication probably would be helpful in the early stages of treatment.
Paranoid stuff can be confusing. Too much info, feelings, etc to sort through.
I think the anxiety is mainly from the relationship.
It's easily done. If your heart races, if you head hurts. Many doctors don't take the time, or have the time, to offer reassurance.
Sometimes that pain is real and sometimes it does need pursuing. Sometimes it isn't and doesn't.
Grief can become pathological.
I sense from reading posts that there is a lot of anxiety. Anxiety and depression are often co-morbid. Plus you can have other disorders in there as well (as long as they aren't better explained by another diagnosis).
I agree. There were a lot of different specialties in the mix.
I wouldn't like to think that I would know your pain any better than you would know mine. It's hard to be certain either way. I feel like there is a strong psych component to his presentation but then who am I? He needs to take his own journey, find his own way. It's not something that can be forced by others.
No, I don't have either of those diagnoses (although I believe many of us have at some point experienced those symptoms).
We don't intentionally set out to hurt people. I often hear things that I don't want to hear. Sometimes we have to learn to adapt to the world. It certainly doesn't stop or change for us.
He's had different opinions from different people. He can take what is useful and leave what isn't. He's an adult.
You could read the doctor's response on the mh expert forum to a post titled, Wierd Thing Happened, or something like that. I think the answer is similar. I think there are unresolved issues.
Medication probably would be helpful in the early stages of treatment.
Hi again,
Jaq, I too have had a lot of paranoia and it's easily lit, that fuse. I've seen my current pdoc for 10 years yet about 3 years ago suddenly became convinced he was against me. Can't even remember the dumb details but it was excessive imagination and too much time to worry it to death that caused that.
I suspect Cog is feeling so much anxiety because he has struggled so much to accept this diagnosis. I would for sure if I thought so many were giving me the wrong answer all the time. I felt that way about an as yet undiagnosed pain issue. I got meds for it but no one could tell me what causes it. Great, but I had to give it up as there were no more options.
You raise the comment of no depression. Cog mentioned a period following a relationship breakup. A devastatingly hurtful time indeed. But he states it was brief and the likelihood is it was extended grief which many of us experience without actually being depressed. A breakup is a total shock often and leaves us with nothing. But that's not depression as listed under this illness, it was a once off horror for Cog.
Jaq, there is absolutely no doubt that some docs etc are useless and give bad advice. I comment accordingly to a number of people who have been given the run around by one doc. But this young man has about 10 identical (almost) opinions. That's no coincidence and must be listened to. If there had been just one, or even two I would agree it's doubtful but there's not, there's multiple.
I also agree we, the people who've felt depression, are likely more able to provide help than many docs. But this is a separate illness, according to the docs and I've seen no one here claim to have had this illness so they can share their experience.
Cog had reluctantly accepted this when he posted on this forum. Since then he has had his paranoia re docs confirmed on this thread and told his diagnosis was wrong. That's absolutely dreadful and cannot be justified by any one here regardless of our experience as all this approach has achieved is to make this harder for Cog and really, to hurt him. The last thing any of us want but that's effectively the result of this sort of online "expertise" without enough information.
Cog is now back to reluctantly accepting this diagnosis. That's OK, be doubtful but try the treatment and see how it goes. If it's not helping, say so and raise your issues with the doc. It may be helpful to have a relative or close friend go with you to appointments.
I did that quite often as early on I realised docs can discount what you say if you have some mental problem, such as depression. Two people forces them back to listening properly.
No need to reply Cog, you've more than enough on your plate as it is. I just hope you do go for the treatment, sounds like it's just meds, anti depressants, and get good results early. You deserve it after seeing so many docs mate.
Jaq, I too have had a lot of paranoia and it's easily lit, that fuse. I've seen my current pdoc for 10 years yet about 3 years ago suddenly became convinced he was against me. Can't even remember the dumb details but it was excessive imagination and too much time to worry it to death that caused that.
I suspect Cog is feeling so much anxiety because he has struggled so much to accept this diagnosis. I would for sure if I thought so many were giving me the wrong answer all the time. I felt that way about an as yet undiagnosed pain issue. I got meds for it but no one could tell me what causes it. Great, but I had to give it up as there were no more options.
You raise the comment of no depression. Cog mentioned a period following a relationship breakup. A devastatingly hurtful time indeed. But he states it was brief and the likelihood is it was extended grief which many of us experience without actually being depressed. A breakup is a total shock often and leaves us with nothing. But that's not depression as listed under this illness, it was a once off horror for Cog.
Jaq, there is absolutely no doubt that some docs etc are useless and give bad advice. I comment accordingly to a number of people who have been given the run around by one doc. But this young man has about 10 identical (almost) opinions. That's no coincidence and must be listened to. If there had been just one, or even two I would agree it's doubtful but there's not, there's multiple.
I also agree we, the people who've felt depression, are likely more able to provide help than many docs. But this is a separate illness, according to the docs and I've seen no one here claim to have had this illness so they can share their experience.
Cog had reluctantly accepted this when he posted on this forum. Since then he has had his paranoia re docs confirmed on this thread and told his diagnosis was wrong. That's absolutely dreadful and cannot be justified by any one here regardless of our experience as all this approach has achieved is to make this harder for Cog and really, to hurt him. The last thing any of us want but that's effectively the result of this sort of online "expertise" without enough information.
Cog is now back to reluctantly accepting this diagnosis. That's OK, be doubtful but try the treatment and see how it goes. If it's not helping, say so and raise your issues with the doc. It may be helpful to have a relative or close friend go with you to appointments.
I did that quite often as early on I realised docs can discount what you say if you have some mental problem, such as depression. Two people forces them back to listening properly.
No need to reply Cog, you've more than enough on your plate as it is. I just hope you do go for the treatment, sounds like it's just meds, anti depressants, and get good results early. You deserve it after seeing so many docs mate.
I'm sorry we've all overloaded or overwhelmed you. I think we're just a group of people, each with different experiences and ideas, who want to help others.
I would recommend you ask the doctor on the mental health expert forum -he is good -and he wouldn't tell you to get treatment that he doesn't think is necessary.
I realize that may be difficult for you but I expect it would be extremely helpful to guide you in the right direction.
Take care!
I would recommend you ask the doctor on the mental health expert forum -he is good -and he wouldn't tell you to get treatment that he doesn't think is necessary.
I realize that may be difficult for you but I expect it would be extremely helpful to guide you in the right direction.
Take care!
I'm not really able to take so many different opinions in, given the cognitive problems I'm experiencing, but thanks for all your input.
The reason I've posted in the depression forum, is that I've been told by the current neurologist I'm seeing that pseudo dementia is, or at least originates from having some sort of underlying depressive disorder.
Aside from the bout of depression I had about ten years ago, which as alluded to, had a very distinct trigger point, in the guise of a nasty relationship break-up (which was sorted out with a few good counselling sessions), I've not since experienced what would constitute any sort of episode of depression, or anxiety, and have been very content and happy in life. Subsequently, I've had no need to use any sort of medication for anxiety or depression, so no, prior to December 2008 when these issues started, I was not on any sort of medication.
The fact I've nearly come to the end of the line where tests, investigations, etc are concerned with regard to a more 'physical' cause of my problems, leaves me no choice but to accept the diagnosis which has been put forward, as it simply is not possible to get referred to anyone else now, given the sheer number of consultants I've seen already this year. I wouldn't know who to be referred to anyone now, even if it was possible.
Ultimately, as sceptical of the diagnosis as I am, I'm so desperate now to try and regain my proper level of cognitive functioning, I'm willing to embark on any course of treatment that's put forward to me. I no longer have the mental energy, nor cognitive abilities to research, or pursue my plight further, so yes, I now feel both powerless and defeated. It's taken me the best part of 2 hours to even write this reply.
I freely admit to actually being incredibly anxious now, as I'm sure anyone would be if they were experiencing such debilitating and frightening symptoms. The point which I can't stress enough being though, the anxiety is a secondary symptom, which has developed as a direct consequence of my decline in health.
But yes, my original question was how would such a condition be treated, which I think has been answered. Of course, this is something to discuss further, with whomever ends up treating me, I just wanted to see if anyone else had heard or was familiar with such a condition, in the meantime, so I could try and understand it a little better.
The reason I've posted in the depression forum, is that I've been told by the current neurologist I'm seeing that pseudo dementia is, or at least originates from having some sort of underlying depressive disorder.
Aside from the bout of depression I had about ten years ago, which as alluded to, had a very distinct trigger point, in the guise of a nasty relationship break-up (which was sorted out with a few good counselling sessions), I've not since experienced what would constitute any sort of episode of depression, or anxiety, and have been very content and happy in life. Subsequently, I've had no need to use any sort of medication for anxiety or depression, so no, prior to December 2008 when these issues started, I was not on any sort of medication.
The fact I've nearly come to the end of the line where tests, investigations, etc are concerned with regard to a more 'physical' cause of my problems, leaves me no choice but to accept the diagnosis which has been put forward, as it simply is not possible to get referred to anyone else now, given the sheer number of consultants I've seen already this year. I wouldn't know who to be referred to anyone now, even if it was possible.
Ultimately, as sceptical of the diagnosis as I am, I'm so desperate now to try and regain my proper level of cognitive functioning, I'm willing to embark on any course of treatment that's put forward to me. I no longer have the mental energy, nor cognitive abilities to research, or pursue my plight further, so yes, I now feel both powerless and defeated. It's taken me the best part of 2 hours to even write this reply.
I freely admit to actually being incredibly anxious now, as I'm sure anyone would be if they were experiencing such debilitating and frightening symptoms. The point which I can't stress enough being though, the anxiety is a secondary symptom, which has developed as a direct consequence of my decline in health.
But yes, my original question was how would such a condition be treated, which I think has been answered. Of course, this is something to discuss further, with whomever ends up treating me, I just wanted to see if anyone else had heard or was familiar with such a condition, in the meantime, so I could try and understand it a little better.
That paranoia is part of the illness too. I had issues with multiple doctors I saw but at the end of the day I needed to confront reality. It was difficult and I was then diagnosed with a complicated adjustment disorder. It felt like I was being victimized and not heard.
Nobody bothered to tell me for ages that I was depressed. I was told to take ad's (which I politely refused) but was never told my diagnosis.
"Except a moderate bout 10 years ago." Yes? NO?
Sometimes we are much better able to advise. Although not always.
Come on Who. Sometimes health professionals are clueless about how to help us or think they know but don't and don't respect their own limitations.
I think we come here for our own reasons. Me because I'm distracting against the pain and anguish in my life. Because I find life excruciating and this makes it bearable for a bit. Gives more distance between life and death when there doesn't seem much.
I respect the doctor on the mental health forum -ask him the question.
Nobody bothered to tell me for ages that I was depressed. I was told to take ad's (which I politely refused) but was never told my diagnosis.
"Except a moderate bout 10 years ago." Yes? NO?
Sometimes we are much better able to advise. Although not always.
Come on Who. Sometimes health professionals are clueless about how to help us or think they know but don't and don't respect their own limitations.
I think we come here for our own reasons. Me because I'm distracting against the pain and anguish in my life. Because I find life excruciating and this makes it bearable for a bit. Gives more distance between life and death when there doesn't seem much.
I respect the doctor on the mental health forum -ask him the question.
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