Electroencephalogram

[Shirosaki]

Without going into detail, I'd like an EEG test.

I was wondering how I'd go about getting one, if it would cost anything etc. I know I'd have to go through my local doctor but how easy/hard is it to be referred?

You can ask additional questions if you want more info.

EDIT: I guess it'd be worth mentioning that I live in the UK and so I'm presuming that it would be free on the NHS.

 

[HeroOfCrapsalot]

Maybe some nearby university will have department with something like that. That's where I'd check.

 

[tjbyrum1]

Yes, without Google reference, what is it in your own words?

 

[Shirosaki]

Yes, without Google reference, what is it in your own words?

An EEG tests the electrical activity in the brain by putting multiple electrodes on the scalp.

Normal electric activity in the brain has a pattern, and so an EEG can test for abnormalities as well as (I think) detect which parts of the brain are under/overdeveloped.

When studying someone with multiple personality disorder for example, an EEG can be used to confirm that there are multiple personalities as different "characters" have slightly different electrical activity in that a clumsy, flirty person has a different pattern than a shy meticulous person.

 

[tjbyrum1]

An EEG tests the electrical activity in the brain by putting multiple electrodes on the scalp.

Normal electric activity in the brain has a pattern, and so an EEG can test for abnormalities as well as (I think) detect which parts of the brain are under/overdeveloped.

When studying someone with multiple personality disorder for example, an EEG can be used to confirm that there are multiple personalities as different "characters" have slightly different electrical activity in that a clumsy, flirty person has a different pattern than a shy meticulous person.

Thanks. I also want to mention the fact how you do not smart-off when replying, something I appreciate.

 

[Shirosaki]

Thanks. I also want to mention the fact how you do not smart-off when replying, something I appreciate.

I'd find it a bit stupid to insult someone who is trying to help me

 

[tjbyrum1]

I'd find it a bit stupid to insult someone who is trying to help me

Well I mean I have been on numerous forums, and on every one of them there seems to be members who think they're better than everyone and always reply with smartellic remarks.

 

[cheezMcNASTY]

An EEG tests the electrical activity in the brain by putting multiple electrodes on the scalp.

 

[HobbeBrain]

You lost me at Electroencephalogram.

 

[D3m190d]

Well I mean I have been on numerous forums, and on every one of them there seems to be members who think they're better than everyone and always reply with smartellic remarks.

What members are you talking about? Are you stupid? Everyone is freaking nice on here! You just can't read right, so you draw the conclusion that it's everyone else's fault. You don't see me thinking I'm better than you, do you? Well than STFU.

sarcasm, anyone?

 

[tjbyrum1]

What members are you talking about? Are you stupid? Everyone is freaking nice on here! You just can't read right, so you draw the conclusion that it's everyone else's fault. You don't see me thinking I'm better than you, do you? Well than STFU.

sarcasm, anyone?

...Haha?

 

[D3m190d]

...Haha?

That was me, trying to impersonate someone who thinks he's better than everyone else. >_-''

 

[Avarael]

I hope it isn't too personal, but I am curious as to why you want to have this test.

 

[Shirosaki]

I hope it isn't too personal, but I am curious as to why you want to have this test.

Sure.

One of the reasons is cause I've noticed over the past few years that I behave differently to other people, like I have to learn how to react to things such as grief or friendship.

For example, in high school a girl got hit by a bus right in front of me and I didn't react at all, nor did I honestly really care if she died or not. Everyone around me was freaking out and I had to pretend that the same was true for me. I didn't really feel anything.

For friendship, most of the time I'd much rather be solitary but since I'm in college you can't really help but join groups of people.

 

[tjbyrum1]

That was me, trying to impersonate someone who thinks he's better than everyone else. >_-''

I assumed so.

So yeah, haha.

I would say 'lol', however I am actually laughing out loud. I never laugh out loud, I always laugh inside.

From now on, when I say 'li', it is like 'lol' but instead 'Laughing Inside'.

 

[Avarael]

Sure.

One of the reasons is cause I've noticed over the past few years that I behave differently to other people, like I have to learn how to react to things such as grief or friendship.

I had a really long response to this but I decided to just cut it back. haha I'm just going to say that what you've described is pretty human in my opinion. Seriously. People are pretty good at not making it obvious and covering it up but many react to things in ways that would be described as strange. You're not alone. I honestly don't really think there was something wrong with the way you felt (or rather didn't) and I attribute that to personal experience too. Also, lots of people prefer to be more solitary or shy away from contact with others as much. It's a pretty common personality trait.

I can't think how the test will isolate your problem. Do you think something is undeveloped up there? What do you hope or hope not to find? Have you always been this way or do you think there have been changes?

From my understanding of EEGs I'm not sure exactly how it could help you. It seems to be more commonly used to diagnose epilepsy and monitor dementia or see if someone is brain dead etc. Talking to someone who knows their stuff might be more helpful even if costly or confronting or even embarrassing if you are truly concerned there is something wrong.

 

[Shirosaki]

Do you think something is undeveloped up there? What do you hope or hope not to find? Have you always been this way or do you think there have been changes?

Thanks for your reply.

It's not that I think I have something undeveloped or that I hope to find something, just that I've noticed that I behave differently than everyone around me so I was wondering if it was a physiological difference.

I've always been quite solitary and "deep" as described by my friends, but it has intensified quite a bit over the past few years specifically.

 

[Drew2686]

Trust me, you're just being human. We're all different in how we think and act, that's just how it is. I am similar, in that when the shootings happened at my uni a couple years ago, and one of my classmates died (who I didn't really know personally). Everyone was all scared and crazy and whatever, but I just shrugged. I thought it was all just interesting, but of course I was in the building next door to the attack and not in the actual one.

As for where you'd find it, try the Psychology department at various universities. Some of them (including mine, specifically the place where I work!) will be doing research and typically EEG's are part of it, and hey you may even be able to participate and get paid. However (and you probably know this), you can't just "go get an EEG" done; you have to first ask nicely, haha. Second you either have to find a group that's doing a test of exactly what you're looking for (which I'm not quite sure), or you have to design it yourself.

For instance, one experiment that we're running involves something called the N400, which basically is about trying to see when the brain reacts to a stimulus (and how it's related to parenting in our case). The 400 refers to the average time of response being 400 milliseconds; if it's delayed or whatever that might be an indicator of something they're looking for.

 

[Angel]

Shirosaki, I laugh at funerals. Straight up. I find them so absurd I have to sit at the back and try not to have a complete fit. REALLY does not go down well with other mourners. And I've been assessed and found to be, as it were, "normal" so I really wouldn't read too much into your reactions. Steve is insanely solitary - it's a miracle he copes with me and two+ kids in the house. People come round and you can see he can't wait for them to leave - not because he hates them or doesn't care about them; he's just not interested in the slightest in mixing with people.

Anywho, regarding tests on the NHS, well you can ask your GP if they'll refer you but it's unlikely without good reason. Privately? I have no idea what it would cost you...probably a great deal.

 

[Lucky Strike]

Try reading psych or visiting a psych doc.. Not that i think that there's something wrong but mostly so you can hear WHY people react the way YOU react.. And it's not so uncommon.. I'm one of those that have close friends and distant ones.. Usually being called the closed one but I'm always talking and having fun.. I saw all emotions BUT not all of them usually.. For example grief or what i feel at the moment.. As for the accident you saw and felt nothing.. Well.. WHy should you? Sis you knew her WELL?? Or even at all?? Yeah you can feel sadness for what you see in front of you but grief.. I don't think so..