How to Identify General Paresis
What is General Paresis?General Paresis is a severe mental disorder caused by an infection in the brain due to untreated syphilis. Also referred to as “neurosyphillis,” the condition severely impairs the central nervous system. It is often misdiagnosed as resulting or external symptoms are very similar to a wide range of other psychiatric disorders. Symptoms also may not be apparent for decades after contracting a syphilis infection. The condition is life threatening and may come on suddenly. To identify general paresis, keep a few things in mind.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Internet Access
- A library card
- Local and long distance telephone service
- Transportation
-
Identify General Paresis
-
1
Be educated. Learn as much as you can about how to identify general paresis by reading what experts have to say. Primary identifiers such as: slurred speech, loss of ability to add or subtract, delusions and mood swings are common. Study current medical journals, which are readily available for free at your local library. Once you have little history, you will be better informed about what causes the condition and how to identity particulars later. Onset of general paresis may happen decades after a person contracts syphillis, for example.
-
2
Ask a doctor or specialist. Make an appointment with a doctor or specialist and talk with her about her experiences with general paresis. Have a list of questions for them prepared before you go. Talk about extreme or minor circumstances. Doctors can be a good source of information that may not be readily available in journals or books. Tell them you are writing a story and need a little background. Medical professionals are often more than happy to talk about themselves and their experiences.
-
3
Meet patients. Talk with them, if you can. They may not be able to fully relate to you how the condition has affected them. Observe behaviors and try to mesh what you learned previously with what you see in them. Notice a common characteristic they all display.
-
4
Think and reflect. Take a moment to think about what you have learned after reading, speaking with patients or experts. Researchers often have to backtrack in order to reflect on the information they have gathered.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
It may be difficult to identify general paresis as the symptoms a very similar to other diseases. Learning about the disease in general will be the best tool to help you.
This article in no way serves to replace a doctor's advice. If you believe you have this condition, seek help right away as it is very serious and can be deadly.
