Myasthenia gravis: a study of social, medical, and emotional problems in 26 patients.
26 patients with proven myasthenia gravis were asked how they overcame the social, medical, and emotional problems of their illness, with special reference to weakness caused by emotional stress, especially anger. They knew that stress made them weak but they resented being told they were neurotic. A third of the patients had initially been given a psychiatric diagnosis because physical signs fluctuated so much that there were often no abnormalities on examination, especially in the morning. Many emphasised problems of communication caused by difficulties with speech and facial expression. Patients who sought treatment for other medical problems often knew more about their myasthenia, its treatment, and complications than the doctors and were resentful because the doctors did not believe them.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000786:Anger; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology