11. Prior to the availability of today's testing, these brain disorders were often mistakenly believed to be psychiatric in origin except which one?
From Quiz It's All in Your Head!
Answer:
subdural hematoma
Subdural hematoma is a blood clot located under the protective structure called the dura mater. Clinically, it looks like a brain tumor or acute stroke with focal paralysis, confusion, and sometimes coma. CAT scan shows the difference.
Multiple sclerosis starts with physical symptoms that appear and disappear unpredictably. If the brain's mood-regulating centers are affected, the patient may also have mania, depression, or unpredictable rage. MRI shows one or more areas of brain involvement and is the diagnostic test needed.
Frontal lobe tumors disturb the patient's judgment and impulse control, resulting in behavioral changes. These get worse over time. MRI scan will show the tumor responsible.
Lupus causes inflammation of body structures, including the skin, kidneys, and brain. Blood tests show antibodies that attack the involved tissues. When these antibodies attack the brain, they can cause insomnia, somnolence, mood swings and sometimes delirium.
These diseases are still misdiagnosed in 2003, because many patients (and family doctors!) assume that mood, thought, and behavior changes are always due to stress or to primary psychiatric disorders. Tragically, this belief can result in missed opportunities for early diagnosis and treatment.