Posted by Sara T on March 29, 2001, at 23:55:58
In reply to Re: Mononucleosis and Depression » Noa, posted by Sulpicia on January 30, 2001, at 16:03:06
This thread brings back some memories I'd rather not have. This is anecdotal, of course, but my experience may be of some value here.
When I was 19, and my first year away in college, I came down with Mono and Hepatitis A. I lost a whole semester and probably should have stayed out the next semester because I ran the risk of relapse. I remember how sick I was, and really dragged out. I looked like a zombie full of pin pricks from all the blood tests. To this day I cannot donate blood. Since depression had been a feature in my life probably before that time, I don't remember it as a watershed event that triggered depression. But I can tell you that it was a big setback. I probably did experience depression, I cannot recall, I was depressed alot during that time.
ADHD, is a diagnosis that is made in an older person by considering their history. It doesn't appear after an illness. But if you are ill, you really don't have the reserves to fight off depression, and it isn't all that uncommon for a prolonged illness to trigger depression. It takes about 6 months to a year to recover from Mono. Don't underestimate the impact that it could be having.
About PANDAS: I believe there are tests that can be given to establish the presence of a PANDA. There are alot of conditions that people believe to be attributed to infections. Autism, ADHD,Tourettes, ect. There may be some conditions that mimic autism (for examle) and can be treated by clearing up the infection, but that isn't the case for most. There is more consensus among researchers in ADHD and Autistic Spectrum Disorders that the origins are genetic and are present from birth.
Hope this adds something.
Sara t.
poster:Sara T
thread:57
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/child/20000813/msgs/142.html