According to the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association (NFMCPA), “fibromyalgia is a common and complex chronic pain disorder that affects people physically, mentally and socially”. FM can occur in both men, women and even children. “The literal translation of the word Fibromyalgia is pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons”. Basically, FM is an umbrella that covers a list of symptoms and is associated with other illnesses such as cancer and lupus (30% of people suffering from lupus also have FM).

Check out some of the symptoms for FM below. As reported  by NFMCPA:

Still others include sleep apnea, non-cardiac chest pain, acid reflux, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, chemical sensitivities, nasal congestion, numbness and tingling sensations in the extremities, difficulty focusing eyes, dry or burning eyes and mouth, dizziness or feeling faint, sweating, muscle weakness and balance issues can occur.

Has this information made a light bulb come up yet? Maybe you’ve had some of these symptoms for a while and just said to yourself “it’s just how my body works”. FM effects millions of people in different ways so don’t just brush off it’s symptoms with your own diagnosis. FM can also cause problems such as difficulty sleeping, fatigue and the most prevalent issue, pain. “FM pain has been described as stabbing and shooting pain and deep muscular aching, throbbing, and twitching”.

Have you checked off three or more of these symptoms from your list? Take this post as a learning tool and contact your physician immediately so that they may counsel you on the proper treatments should you be officially diagnosed with FM. Again, please don’t ignore the signs your body is giving you. If you sense something is wrong or just have questions, don’t hesitate to contact your physician to express your concerns.

I hope this post was helpful readers. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Dr. O

Picture source: http://dherbs.com/articles/fibromyalgia-265.html

The post Do You Have Fibromyalgia? appeared first on AskDrO.com.

The public can now see for themselves just what MJ was dealing with behind closed doors. The LAPD recently released evidence that confirms just how dependent MJ was on his addiction. In the midst of his wrongful death trial, remember he died from a drug overdose and went into cardiac arrest, pictures of empty medication bottles, baby pictures, oxygen tanks, IV bags and more can all be seen in the “Prince of Pop’s” bedroom on the day of his death.

As reported by Mail Online:

In the new photo collection, prescription pill bottles are seen lined up on a nightstand alongside over-the-counter products and a bottle of water while empty containers roll around on the floor. Along with propofol, the names of drugs Diazepam and Lidocaine are marked on some bottles’ labels. In one telling image, which appears to have been taken in a car, there is a list of nearby 24-hour pharmacies and the phone numbers.

MJ’s doctor at the time, Conrad Murry was charged with manslaughter in “2011 after giving Jackson a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol” which can be seen in several bottles in his room along with other medical supplies.

Jackson’s room looked like a scene from a medical drama and I won’t even go into the anonymous baby pictures he also had posted in his bedroom.

What else do you think will come about regarding MJ after the world views these photos?

Dr. O

Picture source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2339949/Michael-Jackson-wrongful-death-trial-More-photographs-singers-bedroom.html#ixzz2W0etofGx

The post LAPD Release Pictures from Michael Jackson’s Room the Day He Died! appeared first on AskDrO.com.

In many instances you prayed and other times you actually cried. Either way you allowed God yo touch you at your point of concern. Into each of our lives, there are circumstances and problems that looked like that are too much at that exact moment. However, this is not a true statement. Usually when things get really tough, that inner self kicks in and faith becomes more evident. I have decided that ear and intimidation are my worse enemies. Yes, There are days when most of us may feel a little uneasy, but when we allow crisis to take over our very existence is when trouble rises.

There are a couple of secrets to success that many of us just need to be reminded of on today I would like to just reach back today and offer you a little help.

1. Stay encouraged. Don’t give-up no matter what the problem, issues or diagnosis.
2. Remain prayerful. This has worked for you in the past and it will surely help you through this next crisis.
3. Look forward to release. Usually when there is about to be release in any of our lives, there is a little struggle.
4. Don’t allow fear to take root. Fight this demon of despair. Sure, fear may come but you can not allow yourself to be over taken by the thoughts that couple with fear.
5. Stand Strong. You have to stand strong and keep on moving. No matter how dark it may look or feel, still dance. This too will pass.

I just wanted to stop by and send some encouragement on today.

Dr.O

The post Don’t Give-Up! appeared first on AskDrO.com.

I would like to share with you the DSM-V (APA DSM-V Copyright 2013) criteria for this disorder. If you think that you might meet criteria, please notify your psychiatrist (if you have one) or your PCP (primary care physician). Please don’t tell me that you don’t have a PCP. If not, please call your insurance company or go to the nearest community health clinic because the life you save may be your very own. Remember that obesity can be a silent killer that leads us into a number of health sequelae that don’t look or feel good.

A. Recurrent episodes of binge eating.  An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:

1.  Eating, in a discrete period of time, an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most people would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances.

2.  A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode.

B.  The binge-eating episodes are associated with 3 or more of the following:

1. Eating much more rapidly than normal.
2. Eating until feeling uncomfortably full.
3.  Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry.
4. Eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating.
5. Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty afterward.

C.   Marked distress regarding binge-eating is present.

D.  The binge-eating occurs, on average, at least once a week for three months.

E.  The binge eating is not associated with the recurrent use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors as in bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa.

(Taken directly from the APA’ s DSM-V Manual)

Oftentimes the source of the eating issues lies in bad relationship dynamics. I need you to also go by www.askdro.com and pick up my book, “Am I in A Bad Relationship?”  This book will most probably be helpful for those of you who also meet criteria for this disorder.

Dr. O

Picture source: http://eatingdisorderfreeme.com/eating-disorder-treatment/binge-eating/binge-eating-disorder/

The post News Flash: Binge-Eating (307.51) in DSM-5 appeared first on AskDrO.com.

The new disorder found in DSM-5 is called “Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder.” (296.99/F24.8)   After reading the newly released diagnostic criteria, I can certainly  appreciate the work that my colleagues have done to bring light to a set of behaviors that we see in young men and women before the age of 18. It is also important to note that this diagnosis should not be documented initially before the age of 6 years old. There are certainly other considerations but not this diagnosis is particular. The team also noted that  the diagnosis, should not be something new after the age of 18 years old. After 18, I personally would start looking at one of the other mood disorders.

I really like what I am seeing in out new manuel. It is seemingly going to require more expertise and reading from those that use it regularly. We can no longer just tag diagnostic criteria on a child without the appropriate work-up and clinical data from collateral sources.

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder Diagnostic Criteria (Taken from DSM-5; Copyright the American Psychiatric Association 2013)

A.  Severe recurrrent temper outbursts manifested verbally and or behaviorally that are grossly out of proportion in intensity to the situation or provocation.

B.  The temper outbursts are inconsistent with developmental level.

C.  The temper outburst occur, on average, 3 or more times a week.

D.  The mood between outbursts is persistently irritable or angry most of the day, nearly every day, and is observable by parents, teachers and peers.

E.  Criteria A have been present for 12 or more months. Throughout that time, the individual has not had a period lasting 3 or more consecutive months without all of the symptoms.

F.  Criteria A and D are present in a t least 2 of 3 settings and are severe in a least one of these.

G.  The diagnosis should not be made for the first time before age 6 years or after the age of 18 years.

H.  By history or observation, the age at onset of Criteria A-E is before 10 years.

I.  There has never been a distinct period lasting more that 1 day during which the full symptom criteria, except duration, for a manic or hypomanic episode have been met.

J.  The behaviors do not occur exclusively during an episode of major depressive disorder and are not better explained by another mental disorder.

K.  The symptoms are not caused by the physiological effects of a substance or caused by another medical or neurological condition.

Now fell free to peruse the blog for DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for Bipolar Illness. However, be reminded that DSM-5 is new and there will certainly be more articles to come updating you on any changes, deletions or additions to our current classification system.

Once again stay tuned and hang-out on the blog and check at some more articles, including the latest update on the Diagnosis ADHD in Adults.

Thanks for stopping by,

Dr.O

*Please be advised that only a licensed Provider can diagnose brain diseases in America.

The post Your Child Ain’t Bipolar! Updates from the DSM-5 appeared first on AskDrO.com.

I will still do an extensive work-up on all new patients presenting with this medical complaint, but I will now closer monitor patients for there progress. There are still a couple of hints at possible stimulant/abuse such as;  (1) Reporting that you feel better rather than reporting an improved ability to focus and complete task. (2) Excessive phone-calls and or concerns about the possibility of missing a dose. (3) Pushing  me for an increase dosage when not really indicated and (4) Physician gut. Sometimes you can pick-up on patients that may be abusing the medication. Yes, we are expanding our diagnostic criteria but we are also becoming much better at making the correct diagnosis and monitoring patients for compliance.

It is also important to mention that a number of patients with ADHD have co-morbid psychiatric illnesses.  It is important to monitor patients with this brain disease for other disorders like anxiety-related conditions, mood disorders and of course substance use/dependence disorders. After all, a good practitioner has to recognize that many adults may choose to use the calming affects of alcohol or marijuana as opposed to those medications prescribed by their psychiatrist.

Thanks for stopping by the blog. By the way, have you purchased my book yet at www.askdro.com.  I would certainly appreciate your support!

DrO

The post Breaking News from San Francisco: DSM-V Now Recognizes ADHD in Adults! WOW appeared first on AskDrO.com.