Message from Eli Somer on When We Can See Some Study Results

[Cordellia Amethyste Rose]

The following is an email from Eli Somer, explaining the time table as to when we'll see some study results.  

"Dear Cordellia,

Thanks for your informative note. I admire your courage and your dedication to promoting awareness to MD.

As for the study's time table. I anticipate that data collection will end in a month. We will than begin a series of data analyses the first of which will be completed in the fall. The write up of the first in a series of a few scientific parers will than begin. I anticipate the first article to be ready for submission in the spring of 2014, when we will tackle the next paper based on the current MD data. If all goes well, a scientific paper submitted to a peer-reviewed journal is usually published a year later. This means that the first scientific paper to be published will not be out before the spring of 2015.

With kind regards,

Eli Somer"

I emailed him back saying that you might express some frustration at it taking so long, and here's what he replied:

"Let site members know that it takes a long time to produce reliable scientific knowledge and that in light of the complete skepticism and ignorance about MD, we need good science to reduce antagonism to MD among professionals. Eli"

Anyway, unfortunately it'll be awhile, but quality science takes time.  I remember that it took time to get Cynthia's results.  I hope you'll understand and be patient.

[Cordellia Amethyste Rose]

Faye, I asked Jayne your question about the DSM.  She said she didn't know and expected it would depend on how long it takes to get accepted by the psychological community.  I figured as much.  It's anyone's guess, but I expect it'll take a long, long time.  

[roxanne]

I feel really hopeful about this study.  Everything he said and my interactions with Jayne Bigelow indicate to me that this is a highly professional study, done by very smart, competent people.  And that is exactly what we need.  I worked for about 10 years in medical research (looking at new treatments for schizophrenia & bi-polar disorder) and that sounds like a very reasonable time table.  We don't want anything that is, or appears to be, haphazard.  It would not move us forward.

[Faye]

Thanks Cordellia and please extend my thanks to Dr. Somer

I'm curious to know, could you ask Dr. Eli Somer what the requirements are to get MD coherently classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM)? It appears to be the global yardstick for psychiatrists/ psychologists when it comes classifying mental disorders.

I know that reliable medical research takes time, but it would help to know that there is at least some sense of direction for the future. If we are striving in some way to get proper official recognition the credibility of that recognition would most likely result in better prospects for the medical effort exerted on finding treatment for this condition.