Periodic Paralysis and Depression

One of our members asked about the possible connection between Periodic Paralysis and depression. This comes up occasionally, so I thought I would write a blog article about it.

My reply:

There are five possible answers or issues to consider about Periodic Paralysis and depression...... 

First:
We know that (low potassium) can/may create mental issues including depression (and possibly psychosis, hallucinations and delirium).

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/psychological-effects-low...

http://www.livestrong.com/.../468486-brain-fog-and-a.../

Second:
There are mental issues which can accompany Andersen-Tawil Syndrome, a form of Periodic Paralysis:

"Disease characteristics.

Andersen-Tawil syndrome (referred to as ATS in this entry) is characterized by a triad of episodic flaccid muscle weakness (i.e., periodic paralysis), ventricular arrhythmias and prolonged QT interval, and anomalies such as low-set ears, ocular hypertelorism, small mandible, fifth-digit clinodactyly, syndactyly, short stature, and scoliosis. Affected individuals present in the first or second decade with either cardiac symptoms (palpitations and/or syncope) or weakness that occurs spontaneously following prolonged rest or following rest after exertion. Mild permanent weakness is common. Mild learning difficulties and a distinct neurocognitive phenotype (i.e., deficits in executive function and abstract reasoning) have been described.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20301441 "

"Executive Functioning (EF) Disorder

Relates to difficulty in self regulation, organizing, integration, or high order reasoning skills. "Executive Function disorder, is a disability of not being able to show what you know" Executive Function disorder is associated with many disabilities: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), Learning Disabilities (LD), Tourette Syndrome (TS), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Autism, Depression, Bipolar, etc."

http://concordspedpac.org/ExecutiveFunctions.html

Third:
Co-morbidity: We can all have more than one medical issue co-existing with our Periodic Paralysis.

From our book:

The Periodic Paralysis Guide And Workbook:

Be The Best You Can Be Naturally (pages 35 and 36)

"Co-Existing Conditions

The term ‘co-existing conditions’ also known as ‘co-morbidity’ means having more than one medical condition, illness or disease at the same time. Last year we prepared and executed a comprehensive four-part informal survey of the members of our Periodic Paralysis Network Support Group and received a great deal of important and surprising information. We discovered that most of our members had more than just the common symptoms of Periodic Paralysis. Many of them, whether they were diagnosed with a form of Periodic Paralysis or not, had at least one more other diagnosed condition. Most had several, and a few had as many as fifteen other diagnosed diseases, conditions or types of medical dysfunction. The following is the list of conditions reported:

Cyclic vomiting syndrome, high cholesterol, diabetes type 2, peripheral polyneuropathy, arachnoids cysts in the brain, loss of peripheral vision, poly cystic ovarian disease, migraines, osteoporosis (bone crush stage in spine and hips), spina bifida oculta, small brain ischemia, intolerance to most medications, paradoxical effect to most medications, hypoglycemia, intolerance to anesthesia, cataracts, costochondritis, gluten intolerance, fibrocystic disease, esophageal reflux, esophageal hernia, diverticulitis, hearing loss, lactic acidosis, metabolic acidosis, hypoxemia, (low blood oxygen), restless leg syndrome, stress fracture of the foot, neuroma (nerve tumor) in both feet, painful and tight calf muscles, fibroid tumor (uterus), ovarian cysts, chronic bladder infections, extremely dry skin, GERD, weak eye muscles, fasciculation, temporomandibular disorders, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, cervical and uterine cancer, uterine and ovarian cysts, vertigo, high clotting, blood clots, asthma, low set, hyper mobile joints, gastritis, syncope, muscle spasms, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, memory loss (short term), chronic fatigue, edema, unnamed lumps in breasts, herpes simplex A (lips-cold sores), gastro paresis, myalgia, myositis, osteoarthritis, myoclonic jerks, dysphagia (trouble swallowing), lumbar spinal stenosis, many cysts, fatty tumors, hyperthyroid, clotting disorder, memory deficit, compressed pituitary, kidney cyst, allergies, goiter, hardening of the arteries in legs, trouble climbing stairs, low platelet count, mastectomy and hysterectomy, straight spine, vertigo, tinnitus, atrial septal defect, complete heart block, scoliosis, pitting edema, thyroid hormone resistance disease, seizures, cluster headaches, severe sleep apnea, rectocele, pulmonary hypertension, candida, acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, poorly distended bladder, Barrett’s esophagus, heart attack, gall bladder issues, carpal tunnel, exercise intolerance, kidney stones, degenerative disk disease, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, Sjogrens Syndrome, LUPUS, Charcot-Marie Tooth.

Fourth:
Who would not be depressed when you are sick, ill, in pain, and/or too weak to do anything and not being believed?

Fifth: Any drugs being given for the depression, may/could be aggravating the issue if an individual has PP...

I hope this is helpful!!!

Until later...