Posted by BekkaH on January 19, 2003, at 0:38:32
In reply to Psychiatrist or Neurologist?, posted by Gesund on January 17, 2003, at 1:13:54
Gesund, you are absolutely right about the importance of ruling out physical causes, and I find the treatment you got from both the psychiatrist and neurologist disturbing. A good psychiatrist will want you to have a full medical work-up, including blood tests (routine tests, as well as tests for endocrine function, immune function, etc) and neurological tests. There are MANY medical conditions, such as thyroid, adrenal and autoimmune diseases, that can mimic the symptoms of depression, and they should ALWAYS be ruled out before a psychiatric diagnosis is made and before psychoactive drugs are taken. Some psychotropic drugs can alter the values of some of the blood tests, so if you can get by without taking the drugs, you'll probably get more accurate readings. I urge you to see a NEUROLOGIST, but not the neurologist you saw recently. Can you find another one? Do you know someone who can recommend a good one? The slurred speech alone warrants a FULL neurological examination and diagnostic imaging (such as CT scans and/or MRI). I don't know where you live, but if you live in the United States, there is an excellent series of guides available that lists the top doctors all around the country. The series is called "THE CASTLE CONNOLLY GUIDE" to the "TOP DOCTORS IN AMERICA." There are also regional guides, such as "TOP DOCTORS IN THE NEW YORK METRO AREA." Some of the doctors will have long waiting lists, but BE PERSISTENT and trust your instincts.
poster:BekkaH
thread:2245
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20021230/msgs/2254.html