Colds

[Mary Misel HP Authorized Customer]

Janurary 2,1998

My name is Dennis McBride. I'm fifty four years old. I've never married
and never had children. I have been treated for depressive cyclothymic mood
disorder with ADHD symptoms since 1981 but have lived with this condition as
far back as I can remember. My treatment has been only moderately
successful due to a hypersensitive difficulty in tolerating drugs. My
symptoms have been fairly chronic with rather rapid cycling mood patterns
and accompanying symptoms of ADHD, particularly acute restlessness,
distractibility, and frustration impatience. I am writing to you in regards
to the curious relief from symptoms which I experience when I contract the
common cold.
With the onset of a cold and the appearance of upper respiratory infection
and congestion my previous symptoms rapidly diminish. There is a sense of
calm patience and relaxation coupled with a sense of well being where life
finally becomes pleasurable and desirable. I am able to experience the
enjoyment of being alive which is accompanied with sharpened perception and
thought processes together with the aforementioned emotional tranquility.
These symptoms last the entirety of the infectious process, and as the cold
diminishes my previous symptoms return and life again becomes an ordeal of
emotional obstacles and internal turbulence.
I've recently become impressed with the fact that, since childhood, every
time I've contracted a cold, I have consistently experienced the same type
of relief from my symptoms. I have decided to treat this as a legitimate
area of inquiry. I was unsure of where to start my search with what I
realize could be regarded as merely an eccentric mission by someone with a
somewhat stigmatized medical history but after receiving sincere support
from intelligent friends, interested members of the mental health community,
and genuine encouragement from my psychiatrist, Dr. Stu Oken, I have decided
to go ahead.
My interest is in finding out if there are any similar reports in the
literature and whether any research has been directed in this area. I'd
also like to know where I could go to increase my knowledge of the
biochemical processes that occur during the common cold. I would be very
appreciative if you could spend a few minutes of thought on this matter and
if you could direct me to anyone whose area of interest might be appropriate
for this or whose clinical curiosity might be stimulated. Thank you for
your attention.
Sincerely,

Dennis McBride.
4931 S.W. Garden Home Rd.
Portland, Oregon 97219
503 244 8467