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Suggest Treatment For Cerebral Dysfunction In A Child
Question: I was diagnosed with cerebral dysfunction when I was four years old (I am now 48). I was just told about this today. I was also told back in November 2016 that I am on the autism spectrum. As far as I know I was never treated for cerebral dysfunction or autism. My parents kept everything a secret from me. My question is, is it possible that any treatment can help me, or is it way too late for that? I have no idea what caused the cerebral dysfunction as I have no access to my medical records from that time.
Brief Answer:
Depends on what was meant by cerebral dysfunction
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Simply saying cerebral dysfunction is not a diagnosis I am afraid. It means only that the brain is not working well, it does not provide any information about the type of problem and the cause. Any, literally any condition of the brain, whether stroke, infection, inflammation, trauma, tumor etc does manifest cerebral dysfunction. It's like the mechanic telling you only that your car isn't working well, that doesn't say anything about the problem and whether it can be fixed. So to give a confident answer more information would be needed I am afraid.
However generally speaking, considering the age of the diagnosis and your current age I wouldn't expect it to be something reversible. If an acute event like trauma, stroke, infection it would do the damage and stay as it is, may leave some consequences but no treatment needed. If something like a genetic metabolic defect or a tumor it would have gradually progressed over these 44 years, so shouldn't be the case. Only thing might be a psychiatric dysfunction since you have been told to have an autistic spectrum disorder (my bet would be for that to have been the dysfunction in question), in which case psychotherapy or if needed medication may help you cope better with the symptoms, but it is not a question of reversing the damage, only providing the tools for leading a better quality of life.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Depends on what was meant by cerebral dysfunction
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Simply saying cerebral dysfunction is not a diagnosis I am afraid. It means only that the brain is not working well, it does not provide any information about the type of problem and the cause. Any, literally any condition of the brain, whether stroke, infection, inflammation, trauma, tumor etc does manifest cerebral dysfunction. It's like the mechanic telling you only that your car isn't working well, that doesn't say anything about the problem and whether it can be fixed. So to give a confident answer more information would be needed I am afraid.
However generally speaking, considering the age of the diagnosis and your current age I wouldn't expect it to be something reversible. If an acute event like trauma, stroke, infection it would do the damage and stay as it is, may leave some consequences but no treatment needed. If something like a genetic metabolic defect or a tumor it would have gradually progressed over these 44 years, so shouldn't be the case. Only thing might be a psychiatric dysfunction since you have been told to have an autistic spectrum disorder (my bet would be for that to have been the dysfunction in question), in which case psychotherapy or if needed medication may help you cope better with the symptoms, but it is not a question of reversing the damage, only providing the tools for leading a better quality of life.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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