Posted by Elizabeth on November 30, 2001, at 2:01:34
In reply to ex drug-addicts and psychopharmocology, posted by Peter on November 29, 2001, at 1:03:02
Hi. I don't think that ADD and bipolar d/o are generally considered "neurological" disorders (that is, a neurologist usually isn't the person to treat them, and neurological methods aren't the best way to diagnose them).
In regard to the Klonopin and Adderall: if you're not abusing your meds, I wouldn't worry about what other people think or get bogged down in whether you really have a "chemical imbalance" or whatever. You know if you're abusing the meds or not; if you're not, then what's the problem?
I'm skeptical of the value of functional brain imaging (e.g., SPECT and PET scans) for diagnostic purposes, for a few reasons; the simplest of these reasons is that any distinct state of mind you're in will produce a unique image. A SPECT scan may give you the *feeling* of "absolute certainty" that you want, but for me it's hard to get past the lack of evidence supporting the use of these tests for diagnosing these kinds of conditions. Some clinicians claim to have spectacular results using functional imaging to diagnose psychiatric disorders, but such claims can be very misleading (not necessarily intentionally, of course).
It seems to me that in the diagnosis of psychiatric conditions, what's important is what works: does a particular diagnostic technique help predict treatment response? If a simpler technique (such as a basic psychiatric interview) works, there's no reason to go get expensive tests done.
BTW, I know a few people who are addicts or former addicts who have a more general obsession with drugs (and even psychopharmacology). So you're not alone. Maybe you just have an obsessive personality in general? (I'm not saying that's necessarily a pathological thing so don't start thinking about how you can "treat" it!)
-elizabeth
p.s. I'm 25 too. I've been diagnosed with depression since I was 14, and recently there've been some indications that I might have epilepsy too. Shit happens to young people sometimes; it's not like you're not allowed to be sick just because of your age. A lot of people seem to first come down with chronic medical conditions when they're in their early 20s; when I was in college, I knew people who'd recently developed everything from drug addictions to chronic pain syndromes (especially RSI) to inflammatory bowel disease. It seems to be a common age of onset for a lot of things.
poster:Elizabeth
thread:85484
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011123/msgs/85598.html