Quote:
Originally Posted by Naynay99
Hey. While I read a lot, I am not that knowledgeable in this area but it sounds like the OP is looking for somewhere to get brain imaging tests (fMRI, PET, etc) that they think will help in dx. While research studies use these imaging tools, from what I have read they do not seem to be all that useful in diagnostics or actually differentiating among similar mental disorders (depression, bp, schiz).
I would also imagine that they are very expensive, and even if one were willing to pay out of pocket you would probably still need a prescription for such tests from a doctor. I would think any major imaging lab or research hospital would probably perform such tests?
Best of luck.
|
Yes. My mother answered a text I sent her asking about medical imaging and diagnosis in lieu of the Disgnostics Statistical Manual/psych drug trials. She reads a lot about the area of using those tools as well and she would agree with you. She told me that medical imaging is better used as research tool. I remembered the research I had read about using medical imaging and post-traumatic stress disorder for former war veterans. It was more about evidence to substantiate findings than it was to actually treat the patient for things like an unchecked stress response (which is part of PTSD).
But I am wondering what methods are being used to treat and diagnosis mental health problems -- we all know about the medication trials and the quick glance at the DSM. And yes the topics diagnosis and treatment are vast and employ very expensive methods that may not even be (currently) available. Doctors may offer that no matter what 'trends' are going on; the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders depend (mostly) on only a hand full of tools that came about in the 20th century. But who knows? Guided by the facts that, at least to them, diagnosis and treatment is and has been evolving. You have to make sure the doctor you are dealing with is on top of these trends because you are paying for their service. Why not get the best treatment you can afford. Shopping around isn't easy. It takes a lot of digging to find what is out there and weather you can afford it or not.