Why Is My Patient on 18 Different Medications? Rethinking Our Approach to the Diagnosis and Management of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) are conditions subject to diagnostic variability among providers, and are often comorbid with psychosomatic and psychiatric conditions. As a result of this variability, these conditions may be misdiagnosed in patients who experience multiple somatic issues, which can lead to overtreatment and polypharmacy. This presentation will provide participants with: 1) objective diagnostic criteria of EDS and POTS and when to consider alternative diagnoses; 2) an understanding of the social and systems issues that contribute to their clinical and diagnostic complexity; 3) how to co-manage patients who meet the criteria for EDS or POTS; 4) potential next steps that psychiatrists can take when there are high levels of concern for misdiagnosis; and 5) ethical considerations of treatment when there is speculation regarding the principal diagnosis.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Clinical Perspectives 23 Source Type: research