its a case of ....

Preface
In medicine, when a patient comes through the doors complaining of a headache, or
chest pain, the doctor takes a full pain history which involves a specific series of question regarding the discomfort they feel. Then a provisional diagnosis is made, and investigations are carried out (X-rays, CT scans, blood work etc). Subsequently, the diagnosis is confirmed and they deliberate on the prognosis of the case.
What follows is a case history of heartache. It is not based on any one person..its more of a generic example....plus I was bored. In the interest of ethics, the names, times, dates and locations have been fictionalized.

Time: 3am
Date: 1 February 2002
Attending Physician: Dr. I . Mainline Caffeine
Location: Manhattan Institute for the Brokenhearted

X walked into the doctor's room, and crumpled into a heap in the chair.... the chair where the healing supposedly begins. Dr. MC (as he was affectionately knownto his colleagues), who had seen too many of these casualities was weary and was beginning to wonder if in fact misery had become the condition rather than the exception and that happiness, had dissolved into a modern day myth. Anyway, he did a complete work up of the patient. A verbal catharsis and a couple of cups of coffee later, this is the case report that transpired from that midnight repartee between doctor and patient.

Presenting Complaint: Pain
Onset: 3 months ago
Frequency: Constant
Site of Pain: Left side of chest (patient pointed to heart)
Radiation of Pain: Everywhere
Etiology (cause): Y
Character of Pain:
Dull and boring pain.
"Like a heaviness that is weighing down on me".
Severity: 11 (on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the most severe)
Aggravating factors: Thinking; memories; music; idleness
Relieving factors: Alcohol; sleeping pills
Associated symptoms: Insomnia;loss of appetite;nausea;fatigue;tearfulness

No other remarkable findings

Investigations carried out:
Full blood count
Toxicology screen
Echocardiogram (checks the functionality of heart)
Mini Mental State Examinantion

Diagnosis:
Amorous insufficiency , secondary to relationship failure.

Management:
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Social support
(As this disorder is usually self-limiting, no medication was indicated,
instead, the "watchful waiting" method was employed)

Prognosis: Fairly good


General comments:

This is a fairly common problem, possibly a rite of passage even, for most of us. Some people handle it better than others; it is variable from person to person. The outlook for this condition is usually a good one, and is very very very rarely terminal. It predominantly depends on individuals' coping strategies and will power to get better. They have to understand however, the course of healing is a protracted one and there are no instant results. Supplementary to the
fore mentioned management suggested, forgiveness of the cause, who/whatever it may be, is found to bring considerable relief and closure to the patient. Closure is paramount in cases like these, otherwise, the risk of a relapse is high.
I am positive that with a little help from X's friends, the patient above will make a full recovery.