Posted by Todd (65.187.231.105) on December 14, 2001 at 21:52:53:
In Reply to: Thinking out of the box here! posted by Elaine on December 14, 2001 at 10:42:01:
the sobriquet "Dumbass", so I have no idea why I'm even attempting to discuss such a complex issue here on the MB, where abstract and/or intricate concepts are so difficult to convey and so easy to misconstrue.
The basic concept E and I were discussing is essentially this - there is a significant body of medical research that demonstrates that the attitude of the patient correlates to the probability of recovery. From this, I floated the idea that perhaps the attitude of clusterheads might affect the frequency, duration and severity of cycles and perhaps even individual attacks.
Is it possible to influence the course of CH through our attitude towards them? Generally and overly simplistically speaking, as we age and mature, most people become more accepting, less quick to lash out, etc. A significant number of people here report that, as they age, CH becomes less frequent, remission periods become longer and in some cases individual attacks become less painful, on average.
The variables involved in this idea are so numerous as to make any scientifically valid conclusion not only impossible but laughable in the very attempt. Many, many other things change as we age and gain more experience with CH, such as meds, non-med coping techniques, perhaps pain tolerance, etc., and so I don't offer this as anything more than idle rambling for your amused consideration.
KTSSU,
T