- Can You Give Me A Medical Description For This Disease?
QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
I understand that it can take on many forms. I tried to get a definition from the Internet. With all the sites I found, one needs to be a physician to log on. I may have epilepsy and am unable to drive to the library to research this topic. Any reply would be most appreciated.
ANSWER:
There’s no “smoking gun” proof yet, but many studies show EEG (brain wave) abnormalities that worsen during dysphoric spells. Because the abnormally functioning areas are deep in the brain we cannot yet “prove” the biological basis for this disorder yet. Both from the limited EEG data especially combined with physical finding and patient symptoms, a seizure disorder in the brain’s trapped or cornered animal area is likely to blame. I think Dr. Norden was on to something when he wrote about the actual physical overheating of the brain. I strongly suspect a seizure like phenomenon occurs in the brain’s limbic system, causing an overheating in the rage and dysphoria (anxiety, rage, depression and despair) sections. The response to medications gives some important clues.
