Posted by Larry Hoover on July 23, 2004, at 16:35:24
In reply to Re: somatoform disorder(s), posted by fires on July 23, 2004, at 15:06:27
> Well. Where to begin? I do believe that you have contradicted yourself.
Nope.
> >>> No, there is no such assumption. Doctors not finding anything that corresponds to their current state of knowledge is not the same thing as assuming they know everything and how to find it.<<
>
> Then why don't they consider that a patient might have such a disorder instead of Dxing Somatoform Disorder??What disorder? When you say "such a disorder", what are you referring to? If a doctor looked, and didn't find anything, there is no diagnosis. Do you want me to copy and present the diagnostic characteristics of Somatoform Disorder? It can't be proven, but it can be diagnosed, according to the nosology in use today.
> I had/have such a disorder.
An undiagnosable disorder?
> Thank goodness I didn't buy into the Somatoform Dx!!
Why?
> >>> Stress is still a factor, and treatment is still symptomatic. Knowing "why to do" is better than knowing "what to do", but apart from adding antibiotic therapy, what to do hasn't changed.<<
>
> I will refrain from posting links, but my research indicates that your statement contains errors. 1) Stress *may* be a factor in *some* patients with ulcers. If you have scientific data to the contrary I would like to see it.I reiterate. Stress is still a factor, but I will go on to say....in the etiology and treatment of ulcers.
> 2)What to do has changed. Not only are antibiotics given, but Pepto Bismol(sometimes), and the newer PPIs are also used (nearly always) for ulcers.Acid reducing meds, all. There are newer categories (You left out H2 blockade.), but not novel treatments, apart from antibiotics. And even that category was actually in use, by serendipity, as bismuth salts are antibiotic.
> >>> ECG is not 100% sensitive to AMI (false negatives are possible), nor 100% specific for AMI (false positives are possible). Cardiac enzyme levels (myocardial troponin T) are generally very sensitive and specific to ischemia. In any case, anecdote is not really of predictive value. "The exception proves the rule."<<
>
> Thanks again for so eloquently making my point !! Re-read the above , then apply that same logic to the Dxing of Somatoform. Is there a blood test for Somatoform? or do Pdocs rely on anecdotal and subjective info. to Dx it? "The exception proves the rule"Nothing is 100% in medicine, or any scientific enterprise. Just because no one can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have somatoform disorder does not mean that you do not. You are committing the logical fallacy of denying the antecedent.
> Thanks
You're welcome.
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:366835
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040723/msgs/369605.html