Unfortunately, these words are heard by far too many people. Although this may be true in that the problem really is in your head, (anatomically), one would anticipate that with the myriad of information on brain based disorders available today, that a far more specific diagnosis could be rendered, or, that a referral to a doctor appropriately trained would be offered.

Many of my patients who were told these exact words by their doctors prior to seeing me, are probably reading this article and chuckling, after receiving the needed treatment they so desired and being able to rerun to their normal lives.

You see, if you are being told that your problem is in your head, just learn to live with it, this is a copout for "I can't find anything wrong with you". And not being able find anything wrong with you is not an excuse to put the problem back onto your shoulders by just telling you to learn to live with it.

As an example, dizziness is in the top three reasons why one would go to see their doctor. The primary treatment rendered more often than not is to offer vestibular suppressant medication such as Meclizine, despite the knowledge base, which suggests that this drug not only will not help, but also will actually hinder the natural course of recovery, and, will also cause imbalance associated with disequilibrium. It is often at this point that one is told to just learn to live with it.

Now, it is one thing to be told this, but it is an entirely different thing to actually abide by it. In this age of providers who specialize in the most detailed areas of medicine and with highly niche practices, it is not difficult to find someone specializing and successfully treating any type of disorder imaginable. To not seek this provider out on your own and follow through with evaluation and treatment is most foolish.

It is most unfortunate when this information is not provided for you by your health care provider, but that does not mean that you should not pursue finding answers on your own. The Internet is a literal wealth of information and can be used to find just about anything that you are looking for. Many of my patients find me from our website, (below), performing searches for answers pertaining to vertigo, dizziness, ADD ADHD, brain injury, coma and other brain based disorders. Most will in retrospect consider this the smartest time they have spent in pursuing treatment options.

Many area physicians refer their difficult cases to me, realizing that I have extensive training in areas that they do not, and that I can help many individuals that they cannot. It is the ones that don't know where or when to refer, or take the time to find out that really concern me, as they are the ones saying to just learn to live with it.

So if your doctor should tell you this, what they are really saying is that they have no idea what is wrong with you, what to do for you and that it is up to you if you want to pursue more genuine treatment options on your own, which is exactly what you should do.

Dr. Scopelliti has over 1000 hours in post doctoral neurology, and practices at the 279 Professional Medical Arts Bldg at the rear of Monmouth Medical Center; Tel. (732) 229-5250. Information is updated weekly on the web at www.dcneuro.net.