Phantoms of the Mind, Radio 4 is well worth a listen.

[TSH110]

Today’s episode looked at interesting case histories, where what initially were thought to be psychiatric disorders, turned out to be autoimmune and neurological problems.

One person had undiagnosed Graves’ disease complicated by terrible seizures happening at an alarming number of times a times a day whose cause was traced to a rare antibody attacking her brain.

Given how many of us have been labeled mental cases it makes for a fascinating listen. Their presenting symptoms are very strange indeed and rather scary. The talking therapy one was put on even more so, it was totally inappropriate and risable as an effective treatment.

The neurologist presenting it is excellent.

this is a link to the series:

bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001fw69

[DippyDame]

Sadly this is not new as anyone who has read AJ Cronin's novel The Citadel will know.

The reluctance to test for, and to understand, thyroid disease beggars belief.

[Imaaan]

Look forward to listening to it God willingly, thnxs for sharing

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Well worth a listen - so long as you can cope with the emotion.

The contrast between the understanding shown in this program and lack of understanding so many others receive is stark.

The system isn't getting anywhere near this level of care and it most certainly isn't the fault of patients.

[TiggerMe in reply to helvella]

Would you suggest this is not suitable listening whilst dog walking?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to TiggerMe]

I don't walk dogs! If you are one of those who go out and spend some time on a bench, or walking slowly, it might be fine.

[TiggerMe in reply to helvella]

😂🐶 Soz, I was thinking along the lines of, if it's going to make me a blubbering wreck.... I usually cope with walking, dog monitoring and listening 😁

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to TiggerMe]

Probably more of a tear or two that you could claim was the result of a cold wind.

But we are all different in terms of tears as with thyroid!

[TSH110 in reply to TiggerMe]

I was ok with it….and I’m a big blubber! It was upsetting in terms of how the people suffered mentally and suffered further not getting the right diagnosis but the neurologist was very compassionate and was able to join up all the dots to get more appropriate care for them. I found him inspirational.

[Tythrop]

Also see The Times today 6/12/22 page 6 :Women...wait a decade...pain...arthritis...doctors do not believe their symptoms...rheumatologist told me it was all in my head etc etc .Turns out it's a type of arthritis of spine ..Real pain dismissed by doctors as all in the female mind ..

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Another interesting radio series is Room 5 - available on BBC iPlayer (at least to those in the UK).

Room 5

What happens when a diagnosis changes everything? One afternoon, Helena Merriman walked into a doctor's surgery and was given a shock diagnosis. In this series, she interviews people who - like her - were changed by a diagnosis. Told through an immersive sound design, this intimate series shines a light on misunderstood conditions, asking how we cope when our bodies and our minds no longer behave as we want them to.

bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00139bx

The introduction feels a touch overdone, but the actual narratives are interesting and well presented. And varied. Currently 15 episodes are listed.

[Imaaan]

Listening to the recordings of her regaining the ability to speak was a tear jerker. Hope we can get to a day where doctors think outside the box, stop gaslighting and are open to the idea that the galloping hooves they hear may not end up being horses but rather zebras.