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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Mental or Physical?
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Mental or Physical?
by KimB, Dec 08, 1999 12:00AM
I've had waxing and waning physical symptoms for the last 6 months with prominent features of tingling and weakness of limbs. All "attacks" lasted several days except for this last attack which has lasted for 3 months. It started on the right side and about 2 months into this last attack, the left side has joined in. It is getting better -- good days, bad days -- but still there. I find if I walk alot, my right side starts shutting down and I've even had to be wheeled out of a mall! How embarrassing!
Anyway, I've had various neurologic tests (Brain/spine MRIs, EPs, EMG, Nerve conduction) all which have been negative. Two neurologists have diagnosed this as anxiety and have referred me to a psychiatrist. It's hard to imagine anxiety causing such symptoms but I'll accept any diagnosis to get better.
I also want to add that, in the past, when I've been under stress, I've had headaches and IBS. I'm not having those symptoms now, nor do I feel my life is that stressful right now.
My questions are:
1. Can this really be mental and not physical?
2. Since the birth of my daughter 2 years ago, I've had terrible insomnia. Have been on Remeron for 2 months and my sleep has improved dramatically. Could my symptoms be related to sleep deprivation?
3. Also I had terrible post-partum depression for 6 months for which I never sought help. Thought I'd worked out of it on my own. Could this be related in any way?
4. I'm also on Xanax thru the day as needed for anxiety but haven't really taken it that much because I don't "feel" anxious. The times I have taken it, my symptoms haven't gone away. Should they have gone away if this is anxiety related? Or would I have to take it continuously for awhile?
5. What can a psychiatrist do for me? Will they be able to confirm if this is mental or not?
Thanks very much for your help. This is a wonderful service.
Anyway, I've had various neurologic tests (Brain/spine MRIs, EPs, EMG, Nerve conduction) all which have been negative. Two neurologists have diagnosed this as anxiety and have referred me to a psychiatrist. It's hard to imagine anxiety causing such symptoms but I'll accept any diagnosis to get better.
I also want to add that, in the past, when I've been under stress, I've had headaches and IBS. I'm not having those symptoms now, nor do I feel my life is that stressful right now.
My questions are:
1. Can this really be mental and not physical?
2. Since the birth of my daughter 2 years ago, I've had terrible insomnia. Have been on Remeron for 2 months and my sleep has improved dramatically. Could my symptoms be related to sleep deprivation?
3. Also I had terrible post-partum depression for 6 months for which I never sought help. Thought I'd worked out of it on my own. Could this be related in any way?
4. I'm also on Xanax thru the day as needed for anxiety but haven't really taken it that much because I don't "feel" anxious. The times I have taken it, my symptoms haven't gone away. Should they have gone away if this is anxiety related? Or would I have to take it continuously for awhile?
5. What can a psychiatrist do for me? Will they be able to confirm if this is mental or not?
Thanks very much for your help. This is a wonderful service.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS MD-JM, Dec 09, 1999 12:00AM
Kim,
You have several important questions that should be directed to your psychiatrist following your evaluation. It is not uncommon that one somatizes depression and anxiety symptoms. I refer you to the archives of this forum for further discussion of the somatization disorders and process. In the absence of physical signs your problem is most likely of a psychological nature. Please follow up with your psychiatrist for further discussion of these concerns. Good luck.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD-JM
Keywords: Somatization, depression, anxiety
You have several important questions that should be directed to your psychiatrist following your evaluation. It is not uncommon that one somatizes depression and anxiety symptoms. I refer you to the archives of this forum for further discussion of the somatization disorders and process. In the absence of physical signs your problem is most likely of a psychological nature. Please follow up with your psychiatrist for further discussion of these concerns. Good luck.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD-JM
Keywords: Somatization, depression, anxiety
I KNOW THAT NUMBNESS AND TINGLING CAN BE DUE TO ANXIETY. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT ON OCCASSION DURING AN ANXIETY ATTACK. HOWEVER, I MUST ADMIT IT NEVER LASTED VERY LONG. I WOULD CERTAINLY GET A 2ND OPINION IF YOU'RE NOT SATISFIED, BUT A PSYCHOLOGIST MAY PUT YOUR MIND AT EASE. APPARENTLY ANXIETY/PANIC EPISODES CAN CAUSE MANY DIFFERENT FEELINGS BY PEOPLE, AND HOPEFULLY THAT'S ALL THIS IS. AS FAR AS THE XANAX, IS THAT A MEDICATION THAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO TAKE AS NEEDED OR REGULARLY? IF IT'S TO BE TAKEN REGULARLY, I'D SUGGEST RELIGIOUSLY TAKING IT BECAUSE SOME OF THESE MOOD ENHANCERS/ANXIETY/DEPRESSION DRUGS MUST BE TAKEN REGULARLY FOR UP TO 6 WEEKS BEFORE FEELING THE FULL EFFECT.
GOOD LUCK
MARK