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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Squiggles on June 24, 2007, at 20:25:46
My friend has been bashing his head against
walls, cement, wood, anything hard, since
childhood, as a release of anger.I have witnessed this head bashing, which if i
did it, would run to the ER. It's like smashing a melon against a wall.I have proposed that the head bashings, with full
force of the body against an object, may actually
have herniated the brain or at least done some damage. And I have insisted that he get a neurological exam, as the last one has brought on
unusual symptoms of personality change and sleep cycle changes (hypersomnia), and different habits, and cognitive disturbance.The dr. knows about this, and asks about sleep apnea and a cooperation to reduce dose of meds as my friend wants to do. When I get sceptical about this, and insist on an neurological exam, i get nothing but abuse. I am told to stop playing doctor, by my friend and get into a fight.
Am I interfering or am i right? What should I do?
Squiggles
Posted by Squiggles on June 24, 2007, at 23:20:48
In reply to Can the Brain suffer Physical Damage?, posted by Squiggles on June 24, 2007, at 20:25:46
Shucks, i almost forgot - i'm in a time-warp
here. Sorry about the post above. It's non
of my business anymore. And I had some close
calls that i won't go into.Squiggles
Posted by Squiggles on June 25, 2007, at 8:33:11
In reply to Re: Can the Brain suffer Physical Damage? » Squiggles, posted by Squiggles on June 24, 2007, at 23:20:48
Please excuse the triple post; this is my
sole outlet.Actually, i did take my friend to the ER --
and they were very nice and took a spine x-ray
exam, but no MRI; they did ask if he was violent
with others.My mother tells me that I have been doing too
much, and that I should leave this matter to
the doctors. Also, he has a special friend who
is apparently more sympathetic and less domineering.So, I guess i have to leave matters to take their own course, regardless of my concern.
Thanks for letting me take up this space. Any comments are welcome.
Squiggles
Posted by gardenergirl on June 25, 2007, at 9:21:19
In reply to Re: Can the Brain suffer Physical Damage?, posted by Squiggles on June 25, 2007, at 8:33:11
Hi Squiggles,
It sounds like you've been in a difficult situation. I can tell you really care about your friend, and he's lucky that he has friends who will step up and advocate for him. That's always such a fine line, though, as I'm sure you've experienced. And of course you also have to take care of yourself in the process--the old airline instructions of putting your own oxygen on first before helping others is really good advice.About head trauma, research is showing that repeated mild head trauma and mild concussions have led to problems down the road. Recently a study showed that football players with repeated concussions are at a much higher risk for dementia. Also, it's believed that Muhammad Ali's Parkinson's disease may have been influenced, in part, by all the head trauma he had in his boxing career. Finally, children with a history of multiple head trauma, not necessarily even a diagnosed concussion or other injury requiring medical intervention, have a higher risk of ADHD, cognitive problems, etc. That's part of the push for increased safety in childhood sports and the increased use of helmets even for recreational activities. Shoot, as many times as I've bashed my head accidentally, both in childhood and adulthood (just the other day, in fact!), I'm worried about my own cognitive health down the road.
So I think your concern is valid. Some docs are less likely to pursue investigating something like this, especially if there are other factors which could explain the symptoms, i.e a dx of a severe mental disorder. Unfortunately, ability to pay/insurance also is a factor. And it sounds like the personality of the doc is also affecting the collaboration in treatment planning.
If it's a moot point now, perhaps you can take this time to focus on your own wellness, if needed. And you can always tuck information away for down the road should it become a need then.
I admire your caring.
gg
Posted by Squiggles on June 25, 2007, at 9:35:38
In reply to Re: Can the Brain suffer Physical Damage? » Squiggles, posted by gardenergirl on June 25, 2007, at 9:21:19
> Hi Squiggles,
> It sounds like you've been in a difficult situation. I can tell you really care about your friend, and he's lucky that he has friends who will step up and advocate for him. That's always such a fine line, though, as I'm sure you've experienced.Thanks gardnergirl,
I'm not sure what you mean exactly by "the fine line" above?
>
> About head trauma, research is showing that repeated mild head trauma and mild concussions have led to problems down the road. Recently a study showed that football players with repeated concussions are at a much higher risk for dementia. Also, it's believed that Muhammad Ali's Parkinson's disease may have been influenced, in part, by all the head trauma he had in his boxing career. Finally, children with a history of multiple head trauma, not necessarily even a diagnosed concussion or other injury requiring medical intervention, have a higher risk of ADHD, cognitive problems, etc. That's part of the push for increased safety in childhood sports and the increased use of helmets even for recreational activities. Shoot, as many times as I've bashed my head accidentally, both in childhood and adulthood (just the other day, in fact!), I'm worried about my own cognitive health down the road.
>Yes, i am sure that it may even have been an initial cause or exacerbation of depression; but the more head bangings, the greater the risk of accumulated brain damage;
> So I think your concern is valid. Some docs are less likely to pursue investigating something like this, especially if there are other factors which could explain the symptoms, i.e a dx of a severe mental disorder. Unfortunately, ability to pay/insurance also is a factor. And it sounds like the personality of the doc is also affecting the collaboration in treatment planning.In Canada, this would not be a problem, and my friend has insurance. Possibly, it is a matter of what can we do if there is brain damage?
>
> If it's a moot point now, perhaps you can take this time to focus on your own wellness, if needed. And you can always tuck information away for down the road should it become a need then.Yup.
>
> I admire your caring.
>
I would rather not care so much.S
> gg
Posted by gardenergirl on June 25, 2007, at 10:51:48
In reply to Re: Can the Brain suffer Physical Damage?, posted by Squiggles on June 25, 2007, at 9:35:38
> I'm not sure what you mean exactly by "the fine line" above?
I think it's a fine line between helping/advocating and going overboard or doing too much, either in the eyes of the other or in regards to your own wellbeing. And that line can shift on you.
> Yes, i am sure that it may even have been an initial cause or exacerbation of depression; but the more head bangings, the greater the risk of accumulated brain damage;
I think so, yes. :(
> In Canada, this would not be a problem, and my friend has insurance. Possibly, it is a matter of what can we do if there is brain damage?
That's a very good point.
> I would rather not care so much.
I hear you. It's tough. I'm sorry.
gg
Posted by Squiggles on June 25, 2007, at 11:17:22
In reply to Re: Can the Brain suffer Physical Damage? » Squiggles, posted by gardenergirl on June 25, 2007, at 10:51:48
Thank you for taking the time.
I think i am an old-fashioned person
with old-fashioned values. I don't believe
that you can love someone too much, but
i do think you can love someone too little
or not at all.Perhaps that is what was not made clear to me.
Squiggles
Posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2007, at 12:00:56
In reply to Re: Can the Brain suffer Physical Damage? » gardenergirl, posted by Squiggles on June 25, 2007, at 11:17:22
Squiggles a very tough situation are you hanging in? Love Phillipa
Posted by Squiggles on June 25, 2007, at 12:04:31
In reply to Re: Can the Brain suffer Physical Damage? » Squiggles, posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2007, at 12:00:56
> Squiggles a very tough situation are you hanging in? Love Phillipa
I'm hanging in--- maybe this should go to
the True Love section or something; Dr. Bob
must be holding his eyes up with toothpicks.:-)Squiggles
Posted by Zyprexa on June 27, 2007, at 12:15:17
In reply to Can the Brain suffer Physical Damage?, posted by Squiggles on June 24, 2007, at 20:25:46
Yes. Boxers get this. Depending on the severity, you get brain damage.
Posted by Squiggles on June 27, 2007, at 12:20:09
In reply to Re: Can the Brain suffer Physical Damage?, posted by Zyprexa on June 27, 2007, at 12:15:17
> Yes. Boxers get this. Depending on the severity, you get brain damage.
I know-- it was sort of a rhetorical point;
but the serious one is -- can the damage be
diagnosed and appropriately treated?Squiggles
This is the end of the thread.
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