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Hi I Have Become Quite Paranoid That My Boyfriend At

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Posted on Sat, 18 Jan 2020
Question: Hi I have become quite paranoid that my boyfriend at some point in his life is going to get MND he has no symptoms no family history. But for some reason I have become convinced that he is going to get this. How rare is it can someone please help me to understand how rare it is it’s making me very very ill and depressed
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It is rare, only 1 in 350 men develop MND in their lifetime.

Detailed Answer:
Hello! I read your question about your boyfriend and I appreciate your concern for him.

I do not see any reason to think about that possibility though. It is a rare disease. Statistics may vary a little in different countries and studies, not only due to environmental and genetic differences but also due to different healthcare levels and diagnostic abilities. However it is rare in all studies, the lifetime risk of developing MND is 1 in 350 for men.

That is quite a low risk as you can see, there is no reason to overthink and be depress about this.

I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Olsi Taka (1 hour later)
1 in 350 risk for men doesn’t seem rare to me is that a lifetime risk? He has no known family history does that also lower your risk. I’m sorry about this but I’m very afraid that he will get it. Is there anything that makes you more likely to get it. Sorry about this.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Read below.

Detailed Answer:
Yes that is the lifetime risk. Naturally the risk is much lower at this age, it increases with age, usually MND manifests after 45. The risk is slightly higher if there is a family history of MND, but still most cases are sporadic, only 5% are familial, genetic factors do not play much of a role. The origin of MND is not well elucidated. Many environmental factors have been studied but none really proven to be related, apart from some indication that sports involving repeat trauma like XXXXXXX football might slightly increase the risk.

It seems you consider that lifetime risk (0.28%) high, but I wouldn't say that. It is insignificant compared to much more common conditions like stroke, heart attack, cancer, traumatic injury etc. For that matter if one is to look at percentages, the percentage of couples break-ups or divorces is much much higher than the one of your boyfriend developing MND, who is to say whether you'll be together after the age of 45.

What I am trying to say (hopefully not too indelicately) is that it is easy to find a reason for worry. Even if I told you the chances were one in a million it might seem high, or you might find other medical conditions to worry, believe me the list is very long, there are so many conditions and calamities possible you and I might not even think of yet. But the answer, the way to cope is not by delving further into details and percentages when there are no symptoms, that is bound to increase the fear even more. Instead it's dealing with anxiety which should be focused on, ways to relax and develop positive thinking patterns.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3672 Questions

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Hi I Have Become Quite Paranoid That My Boyfriend At

Brief Answer: It is rare, only 1 in 350 men develop MND in their lifetime. Detailed Answer: Hello! I read your question about your boyfriend and I appreciate your concern for him. I do not see any reason to think about that possibility though. It is a rare disease. Statistics may vary a little in different countries and studies, not only due to environmental and genetic differences but also due to different healthcare levels and diagnostic abilities. However it is rare in all studies, the lifetime risk of developing MND is 1 in 350 for men. That is quite a low risk as you can see, there is no reason to overthink and be depress about this. I remain at your disposal for other questions.