Remind You of Anyone?

Remind You of Anyone?

by

Dr. Barry Goodman, DO

Southwestern US Real Estate Investment Manager

Madrigal Electromotive

I got a memo from Madrigal Electromotive's Communication director. He feels my “content” needs to be more “conversational” to better fit a “blog” style. Conversation! Hey here's total conversation, here's mountains of conversation:

I was thinking of discussions we'd have during night shifts when the American Psychiatric Association came out with their “Diagnostic Criteria From DSM-IV(r).” That's their guidebook and rough criteria to various psychiatric illnesses mainly for classification purposes and to help get everyone on the same page. It's not a cookbook to simply follow, but general guidelines which needs lots of judgment and experience to put together. I was cleaning up my bookshelf and came upon my little pocket “Quick Reference.”  So let's thumb through it discuss the question: “REMIND YOU OF ANYONE?”

Oh, I forgot, Mr. Goodman (before you ask, we're friends and work together to assist his clients/my patients, but we're not related) asks that I give the following disclaimer:

“Nothing in this blog constitutes medical advise nor should it be construed to the development of a doctor patient relationship nor that that even has any relationship to reality in the real world. The article will paraphrase and abbreviate the diagnostic criteria and is using it in the mode of fair use and everyone who reads this should go out and buy a copy for their own use. No one should consider this a diagnosis of anyone living, planning on living or currently dead. We strongly recommend you stop reading this at this time, delete it from your cache, re-boot your computer and never open this file again so if you're still reading this it's at your own risk. This is not to refer to any current or future patients nor is it designed to in anyway represents the nature of these diseases and disorders in any light or with any commentary.”

Let's start out from the category “Substance-Related Disorders.” Sub-category “Intoxication”

1. Recent consumption
2. Five or more of the following signs developed after use:
   Restlessness
   Nervousness
   Excitement
   Inability to sleep
   Flushed
   Sweating
   Vomiting and/or diarrhea, stomach cramps
   Twitching
   Rambling thought and speech
   Rapid heart rate or palpitations
   Awake for long periods with too much energy
   Thought and muscle agitation
3. The above needs to be causing significant problems of social, job or other important areas

Remind you of anyone? Any guesses?

Oh, I forgot, the substance was, caffeine.

I bet you were thinking of methamphetamine, that criteria is really weird, and smaller, so check out 292.89 if you want to read about that malady.

Here's another one:

1. Recurrent failure to resist impulses to steal objects that aren't needed for personal or monetary value
2. Increasing sense of tension just before stealing.
3. Joy, satisfaction, or relief when in the act
4. It's not due to anger or revenge, nor due to hallucinations

Guesses? It's Kleptomania. Remind you of anyone? 

For fun, see if you can make anyone fit into this diagnosis: 312.31.  Does anyone you know really fit this diagnosis?

Last one, which might be interesting:

1. There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for the violation of the rights of others with three or more of the following:
   I) Failure to conform to social norms with respect otlawful behaviors by REPEATEDLY PERFORMING ACTS THAT ARE GROUNDS FOR ARREST.
   II) Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated LYING, USE OF ALIASES, OR CONNING OTHERS FOR PERSONAL PROFIT or pleasures.
   III) impulsivity or FAILURE TO PLAN AHEAD
   IV) irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults
   V) RECKLESS DISREGARD for SAFETY OF SELF OR OTHERS
   VI) consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations
   VII) Lack of remorse as indicated by being indifferent to OR RATIONALIZING HAVING HURT, MISTREATED, or stolen from another.

Guesses? It's Antisocial Personality Disorder. Fit anyone you know?

Oh, I forgot. I left out some parts: The beginning should read pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring SINCE AGE 15 YEARS and that there is evidence of Conduct Disorder (basically being a full grade jerk) since AGE 15.

It must be so rare to have someone “break bad” at a later age, that it doesn't fit into the normal categories.

Want to try this on your own, get the book and give it a shot in your spare time.