restless mind syndrome?
If you watch any t.v. at all, you’ve probably seen the commercial for Requip—-a drug that treats Restless Leg Syndrome. The name (RLS for short) is enough to get some laughs, but the name isn’t the only thing that had me clutching my sides. Symptoms for RLS (ooh, sounds ominous, doesn’t it?) include—you guessed it—the urge to move. So if anyone has the urge to move..you need requip.
But in all seriousness, RLS is a real syndrome, but less than 3% of the population has it. However, these Requip commercials make the symptoms so vague that nearly anyone can have it. The way disorders are presented to the public has become so arbitrarily over-dramatic. It makes people paranoid and even when they are perfectly fine they can diagnose themselves with several different disorders according to their extremely vague “symptoms”.
I think I must have Restless Mind Syndrom (RMS).
Symptoms:
- The urge to think
- Burning sensation in the brain
- Tingling brain
- Random thoughts
- Aching mind
- Cramping in the brain
- Painful thinking
Important Safety Information:
Medication may cause you to fall asleep or feel very sleepy during normal activities such as driving; or to faint or feel dizzy, nauseated, or sweaty when you stand up. Tell your doctor if you experience these problems or if you drink alcohol or are taking other medicines that make you drowsy. Also tell your doctor if you experience new or increased gambling or other intense urges while taking medication. Side effects include nausea, drowsiness, vomiting, and dizziness.
That’s similar to what Mrs Huff’s book (“Right Brainers Will Rule the Future” ..?) was talking about in one chapter. Patients show up at the doctor’s office with their [self-]diagnosis and suggestions for what the doctor should do. (Dad says he has patients bring him print outs they ask him to read over sometimes.) I don’t know if this is a good thing because its making the public more aware/knowledgeable or maybe its making them more naive…
…And I may be afflicted with Pointless Thought and Constant Procrastination Disorder… I should be studying for a math test.
I definitely agree. Drug commercials often encourage patients to ask their doctors if the medication is right for them, but often times if a doctor disagrees with using the medication, the patient won’t give up. It is important to inform the public–but where do we draw the line? RLS only affects 3% of the population. On one hand, those 3% may not have known what was wrong with them if it weren’t for the advert. On the other, now 97% of the population now wonders if they have RLS…after all…they do have the urge to move.
I suffer for CPD as well. But don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll make a drug for us too.
I’AM NOT SURE WHAT IT IS THAT I HAVE I REALLY THINK IS RESTLESS MIND SYNDROME. I HAVE PROBLEMS GETTING TO SLEEP EVERY NIGHT. AND ITS BECAUSE I CAN’T TURN MY MIND OFF.ITS VERY FRUSTRATING LYING THERE FOR HOURS WITH EVERYTHING THAT WENT ON THAT DAY GOING OVER AND OVER IN YOUR HEAD.