Neurological disorder - do more forum members suffer from it than the wider public? [Archive]

The Atheist

05-01-2007, 01:51 AM

I have a similar question running at two other fora, as I seem to see a relatively high number of people on internet boards who mention that they suffer from a neurological disorder. I have one which shows a definite increase in occurrence, although on a small sample, so I'm spreading the net for different opinions.

The poll is secret, so have no fear at releasing information you may not usually do!

Thanks very much.

Anecdotal stories are welcome!

Niamh

05-01-2007, 05:01 AM

bazarov

05-01-2007, 05:03 AM

Why would they suffer more then proles? Because they are smarter?

Countess

05-01-2007, 09:44 AM

No, but I have a ****load of psychiatric disorders you can have, if you want.

And I will admit to them on occasion if I feel my confession and experience will benefit another human being who is going through a tough time. It's not a giant secret that I am strange. (-:

Logos

05-01-2007, 10:07 AM

Anecdotal stories are welcome!
That would be interesting. I don't deal with any but I guess 'neurological disorders' covers a wide range of issues!

The Atheist

05-01-2007, 02:10 PM

I dont think this is a good idea. Many peoples problem are private and should not be put up as a poll on the internet for everyone to find it. I personally wont be contrabuting to this thread.(after this post i mean)

It's a private poll, nobody should find out, which is the whole point.

Interesting lack of response here compared to other forums.

Hyacinth42

05-01-2007, 05:26 PM

Well, I have a mental disorder, but I personally think that it is simply a scientific way of saying I have issues :p

I don't have ADD, but I think it's just a stupid way to say that you have trouble focusing... Now, obviously in some cases it can be extreme, but there are many people who "have ADD"....

What is have is the special way of saying socially innept ;) that and brilliant and stupid. Like, my uncle is a rocket scientist, but looses his keys like 8 times a day. I have aspergers syndrome... Although I don't like mentioning it to people. It just means that I am odd and socially inept, I dont have an extreme case, and dont want to be treated differently for something stupid...

Now, what I think is cool is that I'm in "smart"/"advanced" classes, and almost all of us are left-handed (myself included).

kathycf

05-01-2007, 07:13 PM

"Neurological disorder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurological_disorder)" is a vast umbrella term for an extremely wide array of conditions. I actually suffer from several. I will, however, only discuss two of them:
Migraine headaches. Some people misunderstand the term "migraine" to mean any severe headache.

There are five types of headache: vascular, myogenic (muscle tension), cervicogenic, traction, and inflammatory.

* Vascular
o The most common type of vascular headache is migraine. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head, an upset stomach, and, for some people, disturbed vision. It is more common in women. While vascular changes are evident during a migraine, the cause of the headache is neurologic, not vascular.

Another (and this one is kind of odd...I thought for the longest time I was the only person this happened to.) is sun sneezing otherwise known as photic sneeze reflex.

Photic sneeze reflex (also referred to as sun sneezing, photogenic sneezing, or whimsically called ACHOO syndrome, a backronym for Autosomal dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst syndrome) is a medical condition by which people exposed to bright light sneeze. The photic sneeze reflex can also cause one to sneeze many times consecutively. The condition occurs in 17% to 25% of humans, ... The condition is passed along genetically as an autosomal dominant trait.

The probable cause is a congenital malfunction in nerve signals in the trigeminal nerve nucleus. The fifth cranial nerve, called the trigeminal nerve, is apparently responsible for sneezes. Research suggests that some people have an association between this nerve and the nerve that transmits visual impulses to the brain. Overstimulation of the optic nerve triggers the trigeminal nerve, and this causes the photic sneeze reflex. ... In addition this sneeze reflex can be brought on by a sudden inhaling of cold air or a strong flavour such as a strong mint gum. This implies an overstimulation of any nerve close to the trigeminal nerve can cause the sneeze reflex.

I don't see a relationship between forum use and neurologic disorders. I belong to 3, including this one and the other two are related to gaming. None of my memberships are much older than a year, the first forum I joined was in February of 2006.

Scheherazade

05-01-2007, 07:20 PM

Kathy> I suffer from 'sun sneeze' too.

Is it possible that people might find it easier to talk about this kind of disorders in a virtual environment?

The Atheist

05-01-2007, 07:32 PM

Kathy> I suffer from 'sun sneeze' too.

Is it possible that people might find it easier to talk about this kind of disorders in a virtual environment?

Definitely seems to be the case. Lots of these issues* are more easily discussed anonymously, it appears.

*Clarification on Neurological disorder - a neurologist has pointed out that it's the wrong description. Neurological disorders are things like Parkinson's, so in trying to be helpful, I've been misleading.

The correct terminology is "psychiatric illness/disorder.

The Atheist

05-01-2007, 07:36 PM

And kudos to those who feel comfortable in coming in and sharing! Regardless of the anonymity aspect, it must still take sopme guts to do it.

:thumbs_up

A quick note to whoever ticked, "Yes, but haven't told anyone".

Pleeeeease, if you haven't discussed it with a doctor, and I do mean a registered medical practitioner or registered mental health practitioner, please do that as soon as you can.

Please.

kathycf

05-01-2007, 07:39 PM

Kathy> I suffer from 'sun sneeze' too.

Too weird! For me it used to happen a lot with the bright lights at the dentist, plus some strong flavors.

*Clarification on Neurological disorder - a neurologist has pointed out that it's the wrong description. Neurological disorders are things like Parkinson's, so in trying to be helpful, I've been misleading.

The correct terminology is "psychiatric illness/disorder.
Oh, you know I was wondering about that myself. Neurology is of course the treatment of nerve disorders..
Neurological disorders are disorders that affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), the peripheral nervous system (peripheral nerves - cranial nerves included), or the autonomic nervous system.

So I couldn't get the connection between neurologic and forum use. I have mentioned previously on these boards what my "issues" {psychological) are so I see no harm in mentioning it again. If somebody is going to think me "nuts" then that is their preogative. :D

*edit*

Sorry, changed my mind. My problems are my business and I am tired of people judging me. (not meaning anybody here, just in general)

Shalot

05-01-2007, 08:01 PM

Aren't some so-called disorders a direct result of some external situation that someone finds himself/herself in?

I mean, you can be depressed because you're in a bad place. Literally. Or you've been in a bad place and it sticks with you, but that doesn't mean that there is something wrong with you! Would you expect someone in a country where there is a war going on to be happy???

(sorry --- )

Adolescent09

05-01-2007, 08:23 PM

Yes, I am neurologically disordered (if this includes mental breakdowns and drastic volatile changes). Yes, yes, yes :( and I'm so chagrined :(

Shalot

05-01-2007, 08:29 PM

yeah right Adol :D

The Atheist

05-02-2007, 12:46 AM

cuppajoe_9

05-02-2007, 01:27 AM

Quick note: for a behavior to qualify as disordered, it must be deviant, maladaptive and causing personal distress. Ocasional depression is not deviant, and is therefore not a psychological disorder. "Deviant" in this case, means "deviating from social norms" and carries no implication of immorality. Other "deviant" behaviors include (on my continent at least) vegetarianism, left-handedness and an interest in cricket.

kathycf

05-02-2007, 01:41 AM

I looked through some of my journals from APA (http://www.apa.org/) affiliates and the best definition of "disorder" I could come up with was this:

A mental illness or mental disorder refers to one of many mental health conditions characterized by distress, impaired cognitive functioning, atypical behavior and/or maladaptive behavior.

cuppajoe_9

05-02-2007, 01:53 AM

I looked through some of my journals from APA (http://www.apa.org/) affiliates and the best definition of "disorder" I could come up with was this:

Yours sounds pretty close to mine (which I took from hazy memories of my intro-psych textbook). Like most things, though, it gets a bit muddy around the edges. Many of the people I've met who were diagnosed with attention defecit disorder, for example didn't report being particularly personally distreseed by it.

kathycf

05-02-2007, 02:17 AM

Well...ok.

"Distress" is part of the criteria used in making a diagnosis. The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)is a diagnostic tool published by The American Psychiatric Association. (http://www.psych.org/research/dor/dsm/dsm_faqs/faq81301.cfm). The term "distress" is featured in the DSM in determining how an individual is functioning in addition to other diagnostic criteria.

Your friends may not have been particularly distressed by their ADD, but that doesn't mean that the term "distress" becomes invalid in evaluating how a person is affected by mental illness in general.

Interestingly enough, many individuals with ADD suffer from low self esteem, isolation from peers and poor interaction with adults. Of course that is a generalized statement, and not meant to address every single person with ADD.

Countess

05-02-2007, 08:15 AM

Other "deviant" behaviors include (on my continent at least) vegetarianism, left-handedness and an interest in cricket.

ROTFLMAO! Thanks for that. You made my morning. I laughed and now have a smile on my face.

Atheist,

I voted incorrectly based on your use of the term "neurological". Just an FYI..

kathycf

05-02-2007, 11:41 AM

Atheist,

I voted incorrectly based on your use of the term "neurological". Just an FYI..
As did I.

cuppajoe_9

05-02-2007, 02:19 PM

Your friends may not have been particularly distressed by their ADD, but that doesn't mean that the term "distress" becomes invalid in evaluating how a person is affected by mental illness in general.

Interestingly enough, many individuals with ADD suffer from low self esteem, isolation from peers and poor interaction with adults. Of course that is a generalized statement, and not meant to address every single person with ADD.Yes, I agree. I was implying that ADD is somewhat overdiagnosed, partly because the degree to which personal distress is a factor is slightly subjective.

Hyacinth42

05-02-2007, 06:46 PM

OMG, there is this one ADD ADHD kid who is extremely annoying. HE skipped up like two grades and still acted like an elementary school kid. Everyone hated him. I took pity on him (I remembered when I was in elementary school how it sucked when everyone hated you), and became his friend... Although the next year I rarely saw him, and I now avoid him....

So, yes, I totally believe that many ADD/ADHD kids have social issues... It's kinda sad really.

By the way, what is the difference between ADD and ADHD?

Shalot

05-02-2007, 08:02 PM

I have no idea, but my younger brother has ADD and some kind of learning disorder. The funny thing is that so did every other boy in his class. Most all of them were in the slow reading group and had to be separated from the rest of the class, (the girls).

My brother's ability to put words on paper, or rather form the actual letters with a pencil, is somewhat limited. But it appears to me that he doesn't even try to do it in the first place. I remember making him study for a first grade spelling test and I just stood above him and drilled him on it and made him do it again and again and he made an A. But he wasn't willing to put that much efffort into every test.

Maybe he does have ADD --- I don't know. I do know that he when he does find something that interests him, he will choose to do it at that time.

Countess

05-03-2007, 01:36 AM

ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Note, the *hyperactivity* is the irritant factor. ADD is Attention Deficit Disorder (sans hyperactivity). These kids just can't concentrate, but they don't work your nerves like the others.
I feel very sorry for ADHD kids. They have a hard life.

The Atheist

05-03-2007, 04:27 AM

Atheist,

I voted incorrectly based on your use of the term "neurological". Just an FYI..

As did I.

Sorry about that, both of you - as I said, that serves me right for being overly sensitive on the language front!

I've adjusted my results accordingly, but I can't change the poll.

Thanks.

Yes, I agree. I was implying that ADD is somewhat overdiagnosed, partly because the degree to which personal distress is a factor is slightly subjective.

You could certainly say that. The American Academy of Pediatrics isn't even convinced it is a genuine disorder yet, and given the research findings to date, I'm inclined to lean that way myself.

Other "deviant" behaviors include (on my continent at least) vegetarianism, left-handedness and an interest in cricket.

After the World Cup just finished, I can only hang my head in shame and nod at cricket being included in the list.

Koa

05-03-2007, 06:42 PM

so what's the topic about? about people having some disorder (and i still dont understand of which kind) or about the relationship of that with forums?

i think this makes little sense. if you hear about that in forums it's because people feel safe in mentioning it to people far away, and because people with no particular form of depression etc (if that's what we are talking about) are too social to get involved in forums.

Nightshade

05-03-2007, 07:22 PM

because people with no particular form of depression etc (if that's what we are talking about) are too social to get involved in forums.

Actually thats an intresting point Koa, one of my proffs is doing research into this ...But yes maybe and Im not talking disorder but those of us ( and its a definate us in my case) have troubkle connecting with people in RL, or are nervous around strangers or just generlly shy/quiet introvert kind of people find it easier when people are really people.

I have all sorts of disorders if anyones interested I could probably go on for hours , but non of them psychlogical ...well not that I know of. :D

kathycf

05-03-2007, 08:32 PM

Actually thats an intresting point Koa, one of my proffs is doing research into this ...But yes maybe and Im not talking disorder but those of us ( and its a definate us in my case) have troubkle connecting with people in RL,
Good point. I have mentioned elsewhere that I am not sociable at all with people in a face to face fashion. I also loathe talking to people on the phone. A forum lets me interact with people from a distance which feels particularly safe for me. I am free from constraints, really. I don't have to worry if somebody is looking at me and thinking "eww, she has broccoli stuck in her teeth" or some other type of thing. I know that is a silly example but still. I enjoy having contact with people, but I am extremely uncomfortable dealing with them face to face.

The other thing is the nature of the communication. If I don't feel like it, I turn my computer off. I am in control, which is not always the case when interacting with human beings face to face. I know people will still form opinions of me, and will dislike me online, but it isn't quite as hard as facing rejection from coworkers or the like.

It is really too much of a generalization to say depressed people wouldn't be involved with a forum. I know for sure that I am depressed, and I know some others here have discussed being depressed as well.

Nightshade

05-03-2007, 08:36 PM

yeppy :nod: I have a problem maintaing eye contact I rarely look at people when Im talking to them -- the short reason if Im talking to you and listening to you how can I look at you too, I need to watch out and see what else is happening.

Lily Adams

06-17-2007, 01:29 AM

Good point. I have mentioned elsewhere that I am not sociable at all with people in a face to face fashion. I also loathe talking to people on the phone. A forum lets me interact with people from a distance which feels particularly safe for me. I am free from constraints, really. I don't have to worry if somebody is looking at me and thinking "eww, she has broccoli stuck in her teeth" or some other type of thing. I know that is a silly example but still. I enjoy having contact with people, but I am extremely uncomfortable dealing with them face to face.

The other thing is the nature of the communication. If I don't feel like it, I turn my computer off. I am in control, which is not always the case when interacting with human beings face to face. I know people will still form opinions of me, and will dislike me online, but it isn't quite as hard as facing rejection from coworkers or the like.

My thoughts exactly. I really am quite the introvert. It may not seem like it, but I can't see any of you. That's why I can talk to all of you. I can read faces really well, so it's hard for me to talk to people face to face. I just like being alone most of the time.

I have a problem maintaing eye contact I rarely look at people when Im talking to them -- the short reason if Im talking to you and listening to you how can I look at you too, I need to watch out and see what else is happening.

This is one of my problems, too. But I don't do it to see what else is happenning. I'm just shy like that.

Seriously. People scare me. If I see a large group of people, I usually won't go any where near it if I can help it. I've been hurt really badly emotionally because of people, so it's been hard recovering.

kratsayra

06-17-2007, 09:46 AM

I have generalized anxiety disorder. I don't usually share it on forums, or at least not that specifically, but since there's a thread about it, I figured I might as well. And it's certainly psychological and not neurological. ;)

I think it's pretty unrelated to my use of forums. I do have some shyness/social anxiety, which is why I enjoy forums, and I am able to talk to people in forums more easily than in real life.

But the things that I really get anxious about have nothing to do with social situations. And I'm actually quite happy in general - I just have a tendency to freak out about certain things. I've also been working on my anxiety to the point that I'm very nearly "recovered" if one can be recovered from such things. ;)

Taliesin

06-17-2007, 03:11 PM

Turk

06-17-2007, 03:46 PM

Yes We Do. I Don't Know Why Do They Let Us To Use Computers.

PrinceMyshkin

06-17-2007, 04:21 PM

My suspicion is that the same assumption might apply to the prevalence of athlete's foot among Forum members. Is it not perhaps about to run a poll on that question? God knows how many of us (not me!) are just dying for the chance to come out of our Dr Scholl's re this issue.

Scheherazade

06-17-2007, 04:29 PM

Therefore, people with disorders are a lot more likely to read the topic and take the poll since they have personal connection to the topic and therefore the selection is flawed.However, looking at the poll result, we see that more than 50% of those who answered the poll (58% to be exact atm), said 'No, they have not sufferred from a nerological disorder.' so your theory on the selection seems to be flawed too.

Lily Adams

06-18-2007, 01:46 AM

However, looking at the poll result, we see that more than 50% of those who answered the poll (58% to be exact atm), said 'No, they have not sufferred from a nerological disorder.' so your theory on the selection seems to be flawed too.

Touche! :lol:

Taliesin's post made me laugh, too, though. XD

Mortis Anarchy

06-18-2007, 01:57 AM

I have a very very minor OCD...but that runs in my family...and umm asthma, but thats not neurological...yeeeaah...

Turk

06-19-2007, 06:05 PM

Mama send us milk.

kathycf

06-20-2007, 11:02 PM

*Clarification on Neurological disorder - a neurologist has pointed out that it's the wrong description. Neurological disorders are things like Parkinson's, so in trying to be helpful, I've been misleading.

The correct terminology is "psychiatric illness/disorder.

I have a very very minor OCD...but that runs in my family...and umm asthma, but thats not neurological...yeeeaah...
The Atheist should perhaps start another poll, since this one was somewhat flawed from the beginning. Not a slam, just a suggestion.

Mama send us milk.
What are you talking about?

The Atheist

06-21-2007, 04:49 AM

The Atheist should perhaps start another poll, since this one was somewhat flawed from the beginning. Not a slam, just a suggestion.

Yeah, you know what they say about pleasing all the people...

Fortunately, I think everyone's caught up with it, so I'll leave it as is.

I noticed a couple of comments on the way through which are worth mentioning - I have no agenda with this poll, it struck me on another forum that a seemingly high percentage had "mental issues" and I wondered whether this was a trend on forums.

I ran the same type of poll at two other forums - one an atheist/sceptical forum and the other a mainstream christian forum.

Both of those polls attracted much higher participation, but the results were remarkably similar - about 40% in all cases reporting mental illness. This may be just skewing to the bias of the thread title, or it may indicate an easier path for people to discuss them anonymously. More likely a combination of both of those.

One point I would like to stress is that I see a couple of poll responses have stated that the respondent has a mental illness but hasn't told anyone yet. I trust that "nobody" doesn't include medical specialists, because if you have an issue, the best thing to do is seek professional help.

Turk

06-21-2007, 06:32 AM

What are you talking about?

We suffer neurological disorder cuz we drink milk while using forums.

Brigitte

06-21-2007, 01:55 PM

No, we don't.
And we don't think that anything can be deduced from this poll as this forum is large and probably most folk ignore most threadsand pay attention to those that have a personal interest to them. Therefore, people with disorders are a lot more likely to read the topic and take the poll since they have personal connection to the topic and therefore the selection is flawed.

Yeah, I learned about this kind of bias in Statistics this past school year.

And anyhow, so many people use the internet now. And lots of people, even adults join forums that interest them.

My aunt is part of a "mothers" forum as she just had a baby. That's like asking them if they have a disorder because they're on a forum. The two things don't appear related. Correlation would not imply causation just because oooh... we're on a forum.

kathycf

06-21-2007, 02:46 PM

Yeah, you know what they say about pleasing all the people...

Of course, and no criticism was implied. I was just pointing out that some of the responses were made when people were replying specifically to "neurological" disorders vs when it was made clear you were actually interested in finding out about psychological problems...which is a seperate issue altogether.

I think people shouldn't worry too much about any inherent flaws in this way of polling people...this is an informal setup in the general chat area of a forum. I don't think The Atheist is under the impression that this is anything other than a very casual poll, and of course not meant to be a substitute for any sort of scientific study.

Brigitte

06-21-2007, 02:54 PM

Ahaha, true that, kathy. :]
I suppose people just get "into" the subject since it's so appealing and interesting, but yeah... casual. I should keep that in mind. xD;;

The Atheist

06-21-2007, 06:20 PM

I think people shouldn't worry too much about any inherent flaws in this way of polling people...this is an informal setup in the general chat area of a forum. I don't think The Atheist is under the impression that this is anything other than a very casual poll, and of course not meant to be a substitute for any sort of scientific study.

Cheers, that sums it up nicely.

wilbur lim

09-24-2008, 10:32 AM

I wonder why we should negotiate neurological disorder at public,abnormal people may be divergent but when seeing them fortuitously,we should help them.

Pendragon

09-24-2008, 12:30 PM

As one of the sufferers, I say, "Bummer...":(:(:(

Poetess

09-24-2008, 01:28 PM

Strange how page loads when I type :p

After reading the first post, I wanted to mention that Neurological Disorder is a wide variety of issues, but others linked that already.

I am not sure I have any other issue than the Back Pain. I am waiting for my results still. This back pain is serious, I can`t even sleep more than a few hours (like 3 hours continuously). And as Adolescent09 said, if mental breakdown is included, them i`m considered neurologically disordered?

But, I am well aware of having psychiatric disorders. I was first prescribed pills at the age of 18. After visiting other doctors, I heard the same diagnosis: I was said to be an anxiety and depression patient, most likely of major depression. I do have violent behavior, so I try my best to derogate any discussion that might get me into my nerves. I do beat myself a lot so that I don`t hit others because I hurt my sisters when I was younger.. It`s funny to remember my sister held all way home by a guy, because she wasn`t able to see after having a swollen left cheek and a red-plus-violet eye, still sad.. I do love her a lot.

What makes it worse, is that i`m not taking pills, I convince myself that I can do it without meds, but I end up torturing myself.