Nearly three decades have passed since the debate began about a series of symptoms that have come to be known as chronic fatigue syndrome. its cause is still unknown, but over the years, researchers have identified various brain, immune system and energy metabolism irregularities involved. some patients describe the syndrome as feeling like an “unrelenting, unremitting flu.”

Doctors say some treatments can help. Arthur Barsky, a psychiatrist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and a professor at Harvard Medical School, says patients need to change how they experience symptoms — typically pain, insomnia and anxiety. when patients adopt a more positive attitude, Barsky points out, it often translates into greater confidence and more energy.

A study published this year in the Lancet found that a form of talk therapy, as well as exercise, offered relief for some patients. Researchers from the United Kingdom looked at cognitive behavior therapy, or CBT.

In the study, over 600 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome were assigned to different treatments. All of them received medical care for symptoms like pain, insomnia or anxiety.

One group got counseled about how to pace activities. Another took part in an exercise program. And a third received the cognitive behavioral talk therapy. the therapy and the exercise group improved the most, reporting less fatigue, insomnia and anxiety.

Barsky says his patients do best when cognitive behavior therapy is also combined with gradually increased exercise. “People need to begin to push themselves in the face of their fatigue, because if you don’t, you become deconditioned and you get caught in a cycle which … makes fatigue worse,” says Barsky.

But he cautions against overdoing it. People should start with mild, gentle exercise like clearing the table, doing the dishes, or taking the dog for a short walk. Then, slowly build up to longer and more frequent walks, he says.

Lucinda Bateman is a doctor at the Fatigue Consultation Clinic in Salt Lake City who specializes in chronic fatigue syndrome.

She’s skeptical about the Lancet study, pointing out that patients improved only moderately, and not much more than those who were counseled about pacing themselves. Bateman suggests her patients pace themselves, and try to do only as many activities as they can manage.

She says some patients get caught in a “push and crash” cycle. when symptoms abate and they feel better, they may go all out, exercising, doing errands and socializing. but soon that level of activity often comes to a crashing end and patients can relapse dramatically, even becoming bedridden for several days or longer.

Bateman takes also issue with CBT’s implication that chronic fatigue syndrome is psychosomatic. we still don’t know what exactly causes the syndrome. And, like most professionals who treat patients, Bateman eagerly awaits the day when science can finally pinpoint its cause.

With additional reporting from Joanne Silberner

I'm getting checked out tomorrow by a psychiatrist and i was just wondering what the symptoms were?

If you're wondering if you have the symptoms, you don't.
A psychiatrist will not diagnose you will schizophrenia on the first visit either way. I won't go into the symptoms, because it is an unfortunate human habit to take on things we read.

Look it up, kid.

I was told by my boss that she thinks that I have ADD or ADHD….I can't focus on just one thing at a time…And my knee always bounces up and down….Any ideas?

sorry…i wasnt paying attention….you can play the drums with that knee though

Symptoms are one or more of the following: impulsive, poor concentration, easily distracted, hyper-active, finish people's sentences, scattered thoughts, etc.

Only an Internist or Psychiatrist can properly diagnose you.

Just go to your doctor, you'll have to get a perscribtion if you have it anyways… its just lack of wanting to do anything and concentration loss

See sections 22 – 25, on ADD/ADHD, at ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and begin taking 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily. There is a quiz on ADHD in section 1. You may possibly have an anxiety disorder, as well: these require expert diagnosis, but I'd refuse any powerful, and addictive stimulants, in case any are offered: a general post follows: THERAPISTS: Closely examine the 1-800-therapist.org website, and use the locators, in section 1, at ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and phone book. Personally, I'd opt for a psychologist who believes in only recommending minimal necessary medication, if at all, because they don't issue prescriptions, so are considerably less likely to be involved with the rewards, and inducements offered by sales reps from "big pharma": the large drug companies, to psychiatrists (there are links to, or articles on how psychiatry has become corrupted by money from drug companies, and "how doctors are being manipulated", in section 1: worth reading!). It's important to not only feel comfortable with your therapist, but also to know about their qualifications, and the type of therapy used (read section 1). some people are in therapy for many years, and pay a small fortune in fees, so recognise that therapists may have a vested interest in keeping their patients coming back. it pays the rent, and permits them to feel that they are fulfilling a useful function in life. For this reason, I believe that, unless there is a need for a specific type of therapy, such as Dialectical Behavio(u)ral Therapy, for Borderline Personality Disorder, or EMDR therapy, for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, it is a good idea to start out with a psychologist who uses Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy, which often can accomplish all it is capable of, in 6 months, and to fix that time limit in the first session. In that way, the therapist knows that there is only a limited window of opportuntiy to do what they can, and there is no unconscious motivation to attempt to draw things out. if, at the end of that time, you believe you could benefit from a little more therapy, then you can extend it, but I'd advise the therapist a few weeks before the final session, in case they are considering taking on a new patient, leaving you "high, and dry" committed, and without options, except to find someone else. Females have necessarily evolved to multi-task: males to accomplish goals. In case anxiety is diagnosed, I'd just say thank you, for the prescription, and pocket it. ANXIETY: See anxiety treatments, at ezy build (below) in section 6. Set yourself a fixed limit for worrying about any particular subject, (say; 10, or 15 minutes) after which, resolve firmly to refuse to even consider that subject again on that day: realise and accept that to do otherwise would be counterproductive to your mental health, and enjoyment of life. Use the technique for reprogramming negative thoughts and internal monologue (self talk), on pages 2, and 2L, to help you in this: some people carry a wide rubber band in their pocket: put it on their wrist; stretch, and release, as a means of reinforcing it, and speeding up the process, re-pocketing it afterwards, but I regard this as being purely optional. Practice one of the relaxation methods on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. Also, give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. There is also a version for use in public places, (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: saying it to yourself in your mind). Section 53, and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o at ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris also refer: "even though I sometimes suffer from anxiety, I deeply and completely accept myself."

My psychiatrist prescribed me 30 mg of vyvanse for ADD/ADHD. I've never taken it before, or any other ADD/ADHD medicine so I have no idea what to expect. what kinds of symptoms should I expect to see and for how long? Just tell me everything I need to know please! any information is greatly appreciated.

Autism seems to play a genetically inspired hide-and-seek game in some families. Undiagnosed siblings in families that include two or more children with autism often grapple with language delays, social difficulties and other mild symptoms of the disorder, a new study suggests.

Genes prompt autism symptoms of varying intensity among members of these families, including in some kids who don’t qualify as having an autism spectrum disorder, say psychiatrist John Constantino of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and his colleagues. Researchers have generally limited their search for DNA peculiarities to children diagnosed with autism or related disorders (SN: 7/3/10, p.12), a strategy that overlooks those with mild autism signs, Constantino’s group asserts in a paper published online October 1 in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

“Subtle aspects of the autistic syndrome have not been accounted for in most studies of its intergenerational transmission,” Constantino says.

“Given Constantino’s data, it is clearly wrong to label all nonautistic individuals as unaffected by an underlying genetic liability for the condition,” Piven says.

Approximately one in five siblings of children with autism who don’t meet criteria for the disorder display mild or “subclinical” autism traits, Constantino’s team estimates. these traits consist of language delays, the use of odd or repeated phrases and other unusual speech qualities and difficulties interacting with others. Most such children come from families with at least two other youngsters who have an autism spectrum disorder.

Four times as many boys as girls meet psychiatric criteria for autism. But the inclusion of mild autism traits narrows that ratio to three boys for every two girls.

Males and females inherit the same autism-related genes, but in females those genes frequently interact with other genetic factors or with environmental influences to reduce the severity of symptoms, Constantino theorizes.

Subclinical autistic traits deserve close scrutiny for possible detrimental effects on children, Constantino adds. Kids with undiagnosed autism-related social deficits may find it hard to make friends and could experience a worsening of other conditions such as learning disabilities and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Subclinical traits may have benefits as well, he adds. Disinterest in social activities and a focus on details might boost math, science and computer skills.

Constantino’s team assessed signs of autism in 2,920 children from 1,235 families participating in a national online research registry. each family in the registry includes at least one child with an autism spectrum disorder and at least one biological sibling. Data came from questionnaires completed by parents.

Their responses indicated that 134 families, or 11 percent, had more than one child diagnosed with autism. About one in four families, including nearly all of those with multiple autism cases, also contained siblings with mild symptoms.

Among unaffected boys and girls, 20 percent had received a diagnosis of language delay or speech problems early in life, double the prevalence in the general population.

Constantino emphasizes that, for three in four families, one child had an autism spectrum disorder and the rest showed no signs of autism. he suspects that autism-related genes work in an all-or-nothing fashion in these families.

Clinicians should measure the intensity of autism symptoms over time in individual children and determine points at which interventions become necessary, much as they use growth charts to ascertain childhood obesity, he recommends.

• Print
• |
• Comment
• |
• Tweet
• |

FRIDAY, Dec. 17 (HealthDay News) Christmas and other winter holidays are supposed to be a happy time of year, which makes it all the more stressful when they are anything but joyous.

This is the time of the year when people are especially vulnerable to depression, Dr. Angelos Halaris, a psychiatrist with the Loyola University Health System, said in a university news release. Shopping and entertaining can be stressful, while reflecting on lost loved ones can renew feelings of grief. Add to that the turmoil caused by the poor economy. All these things can help depression gain a foothold in certain individuals.

What to do? if you're feeling extremely depressed and unable to function, consult a mental health professional immediately. Danger signs include two or more weeks of mood problems, crying jags, changes in appetite and energy levels, overwhelming shame or guilt, loss of interest in daily activities, difficulty concentrating and grim thoughts about death or suicide.

If you feel like your symptoms aren't severe but still make you miserable, Halaris has these suggestions:

"Exercise works. Having replenishing relationships matter. doing things that you find rewarding and fulfilling is helpful, as is attending religious services," Halaris said in the news release. "getting plenty of sleep and taking care of yourself works. We all have our limits, and learning to live within those limits is important."

Be aware that depression, exhaustion and lack of interest in life could be a sign of seasonal affective disorder, caused by the lack of sunlight. one frequent symptom is a desire for sweets.

"the most common type of this mood disorder occurs during the winter months," Halaris said. "SAD is thought to be related to a chemical imbalance in the brain, brought on by lack of light due to winters shorter days and typically overcast skies."

What can you do about SAD? "if at all possible, get outside during winter, even if it is overcast," Halaris said. "Expose your eyes to natural light for one hour each day. At home, open the drapes and blinds to let in natural light. SAD can be effectively treated with light therapy, antidepressant medication and/or psychotherapy."

If you feel the blues because you're lost in grief, Loyola bereavement counselor Nancy Kiel suggests that it's important to acknowledge your loss.

"Start a new tradition to honor and remember your loved one," Kiel said. "Light a special candle or at dinner, have everyone share a favorite memory or all can take part in a loved ones favorite holiday activity. do something that would make your loved one smile."

She also suggests that you avoid shopping at the mall — go online instead — and focus on being around people who are caring and supportive.

More information

Learn more about depression at the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

this is not for my own child but for a close family members child who is now 2yr 3months, if he had autism, what would the symptoms be?

There are three distinctive behaviors that characterize autism. Autistic children have difficulties with social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. These behaviors can range in impact from mild to disabling.

I know it must be hard for your friends waiting for the diagnosis, but autism is a complex disorder. A comprehensive evaluation requires a multidisciplinary team including a psychologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, speech therapist, and other professionals who diagnose children with ASDs. the team members will conduct a thorough neurological assessment and in-depth cognitive and language testing. Because hearing problems can cause behaviors that could be mistaken for autism, children with delayed speech development should also have their hearing tested. After a thorough evaluation, the team usually meets with parents to explain the results of the evaluation and present the diagnosis.

Possible Early Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorders include

Children and adults with an autism spectrum disorder might:
•Not play "pretend" games (pretend to "feed" a doll)
•Not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over)
•Not look at objects when another person points at them
•Have trouble relating to others or not have an interest in other people at all
•Avoid eye contact and want to be alone
•Have trouble understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings
•Prefer not to be held or cuddled or might cuddle only when they want to
•Appear to be unaware when other people talk to them but respond to other sounds
•Be very interested in people, but not know how to talk to, play with, or relate to them
•Repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language (echolalia)
•Have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions
•Repeat actions over and over again
•Have trouble adapting to changes in routine
•Have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound
•Lose skills they once had (for instance, stop saying words they were once using)
•Talk to your child’s doctor or nurse if your child loses skills at any age.

Examples of Specific Language Issues
•repeats words/phrases of others (Echolalia)
•uses own language (jargoning)
•repeats a word or phrase
•reverses pronouns I/me/my and you/your
•refers to self by name
•does not respond to conversational initiation
•gives unrelated answers to questions
•makes comments unrelated to conversation topic
•does not point
•does not respond to pointing
•uses few or no gestures
•talks in monotone or robot-like
•does not respond to own name
•no pretend play; doesn’t understand pretend play
•does not understand jokes, sarcasm, idioms, teasing, or similes

Examples of Specific ASD Repetitive Behaviors and Unusual Interests
•lines up toys
•plays with toys in same manner every time
•is very organized
•is rigid about routines or object placements
•upset by changes
•eat few foods or only certain textures
•eats inedible things (pica)
•smells food
•insensitive to pain
•unaware of danger (e.g., hot things)
•tantrums for no apparent reason
•has obsessive interests
•hand flapping/finger flicking/toe walking
•self-stimulation
•likes spinning objects
•likes to spin him/herself
•likes parts of objects (e.g., wheels)
•does not use toys appropriately (lines up cars by color rather that zooming them)
•special areas of talent or expertise
•perseveration
•walks over things (e.g., toys) unaware

Hear are some "red flags" for autism in early childhood

Communication
• no babbling by 11 months of age
• no simple gestures by 12 months (e.g., waving bye-bye)
• no single words by 16 months
• no 2-word phrases by 24 months (noun + verb – e.g., “baby sleeping”)
• no response when name is called, causing concern about hearing
• Loss of any language or social skills at any age

Behaviour
• Odd or repetitive ways of moving fingers or hands
• Oversensitive to certain textures, sounds or lights
• Lack of interest in toys, or plays with them in an unusual way (e.g., lining up, spinning, opening/closing parts rather than using the toy as a whole)
• Compulsions or rituals (has to perform activities in a special way or certain sequence; is prone to tantrums if rituals are interrupted)
• Preoccupations with unusual interests, such as light switches, doors, fans, wheels
• Unusual fears

Social
• Rarely makes eye contact when interacting with people
• Does not play peek-a-boo
• Doesn’t point to show things he/she is interested in
• Rarely smiles socially
• more interested in looking at objects than at people’s faces
• Prefers to play alone
• Doesn’t make attempts to get parent’s attention; doesn't follow/look when someone is pointing at something
• Seems to be “in his/her own world”
• Doesn’t respond to parent’s attempts to play, even if relaxed
• Avoids or ignores other children when they approach

I also have issues with my son's Autism. I posted my question on wish123 and got an answer from an expert who solved my problem. Worth a try.

You could notice that he doesn't talk until an older age than most little kids.

What makes you think he is autistic?

the only one i know of is walking on their tip toes alot…