In Loaded Bachmann Coverage, NYT's Stolberg Emphasizes Migraines Linked to 'Depression' and 'Work Loss'
New York Times reporter Sheryl Gay Stolberg took a cheap shot at Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann in Wednesday’s “Bachmann Says Severe Migraines Have Never Incapacitated Her” (notice how the print headline works in the danger words "severe" and "incapacitated") jumping off an anonymously sourced report from the Daily Caller on Monday alleging Bachmann had been “incapacitated” and “hospitalized” by migraines.
Stolberg emphasized disorders linked to migraines, including “work loss,” “depression,” and “fatigue,” loaded traits when it comes to questioning a candidate’s fitness for the office of the presidency. A search of Nexis and Google News suggests the Times is the sole newspaper that has so far linked migraines and depression in its Bachmann coverage.
Representative Michele Bachmann suffers from migraine headaches so intense that she has sometimes sought emergency medical treatment, but the congresswoman said Tuesday that the condition would not preclude her from serving as president if elected.
....
The American Migraine Foundation, a nonprofit group devoted to research, says 36 million Americans, or about 12 percent of the population, suffers from migraines, a neurological disorder characterized by severe-to-moderate headaches and often nausea. The headaches, which the group says can be “extremely disabling for sufferers, painful enough to cause work loss” typically last 24 hours; most people have only a few attacks per month, but chronic sufferers can have many more. Migraines are three times more common among women than men, the foundation says, adding that those who get the headaches are “more likely” to have depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, other pain conditions and fatigue.
A Nexis search suggests that of 1,360 stories published by the Times since 1969 containing the word “migraine,” a grand total of four bother to mention a causal link between migraines and depression; Stolberg’s piece today, and three articles by health columnist Jane Brody, the last one in 2006, the other two from 1988.
Also, this marks the first time the American Migraine Foundation's findings have been cited in the Times, according to Nexis. The group’s laudable mission is pushing for more research and better treatment, so it will of course emphasize the problems people with migraines suffer, as opposed to emphasizing coping mechanisms like drug treatment.
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Comments
And this is different, how?
Submitted by Dr. T on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 2:02pm.
So, how is this different from "work loss" and "incapacitation" suffered by excessive amount of time spent on the golf course and vacation?
is....
Submitted by MidAmerica on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 2:12pm.
Is obama's inability to speak without a teleprompter and his poor work habits a result of his admitted illegal drug use?
Yeah, not to mention that
Submitted by tcm14 on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 3:18pm.
Yeah, not to mention that Rove figured out Obama has been doing one fundraiser every three days. Sounds like the President has plenty of spare time.
This is ridiculous, Presidents have health issues sometimes, and the country always works around it. Implying that migraines may cause Bachmann to be unfit for the Presidency is really reaching for straws, IMO. I know very successful, high-income people who sometimes suffer from migraines and they don't have some mental illness.
Of course they are, but what does it matter?
Submitted by CobraMan on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 2:31pm.
"Those who get the headaches are “more likely” to have depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, other pain conditions and fatigue."
Well, that's obvious! I know, first hand, then detrimental effects of chronic, excessive pain, because of my Crohns. Guess what, pain and depression are very similar in their physiology. Long before I was accurately diagnosed with Crohns, I was incorrectly diagnosed with depression, along with associated fatigue, anxiety, and "sleep disorders (it's very hard to sleep when it feels like a hot knife is being jammed into your guts, or you head in the case on migraines). This is because , as I learned from my doctor, pain and depression follow the same nerve pathways in the brain. But that doesn't mean I suffered from depression, it just means that the symptoms are very similar and, therefor, very easy to misdiagnose.
So, what does that have to do with someone's ability to serve effectively as POTUS? Absolutely nothing, as recent history shows us. JFK also suffered from chronic back pain, pain so bad that, not only did he take narcotic pain relievers just about every day (which, by the way, have very little negative effects on mood or behavior if you actually NEED them), he was wearing a back brace the day he was shot in the head because he couldn't stand up straight due to the pain and cramping. Does this mean that JFK didn't serve his office to the best of his abilities? No, of course not.
I mean, really, does anyone, especially liberals, question the effectiveness of JFK's short, but historic Presidency despite being afflicted with chronic, oppressive pain? No, of course not. So, please, liberals, stop being so obviously hypocritical. It's embarrassing for all of us.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
We really, really need
Submitted by nanabanana on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 3:21pm.
a "like" button!
Just Like Brian Williams
Submitted by FVF on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 2:25pm.
FROM THE DESK OF F. VENGENCE FLOOK:
Tues., PM – I watched Brian Williams again. I refuse to call what he does “news.” He spent even more time attacking Murdoch. Is Murdoch a conservative? Or do libs simply hate him because he owns FNC? And the attack on Murdoch’s wife!! No decent news person would have EVER done that! What has America come to?
Then the Michele Bachmann story regarding the migraines that will keep her from being president. Why try to hide the disgust you have for Rep. Bachmann, Brian? Why don’t you just say it the way you normally would when you are off the air, “When, Rep. Bachmann, did you stop hiring four swarthy guys to tie up your husband so you could force him to watch you have sex with those four swarthy guys”? (For those of you who did not notice, this is my variation of the “When did you stop beating your wife, Senator” story.)
And FNC and MRC meekly point out how awful the MSM has become. And conservatives sit around and complain about how awful it is.
F. VENGENCE FLOOK
Liberals make me Depressed and make me want to Hurl...
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 2:26pm.
When this happens I call in sick.... does this mean Liberals are the cause of Depression and work loss?.....
Who'll be the first libtard MSMer to bring up menopause?
Submitted by SickofLibs on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 2:40pm.
.
Good grief...using medicine for cheap political gotchas?
Submitted by drsamherman on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 2:59pm.
Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Jane Brody are NOT licensed health care professionals in any jurisdiction that I can identify.
Routinely, the media misuse the results of studies to imply causality where none exists or to assert benefits or risks where not fully identified or understood. Remember the oats craze of the 1980s?
For the record, as a neurologist, let me say the following:
1) Migraine headaches arise from a complex etiology involving multiple organ systems outside of the brain.
2) When treating migraine, we use a number of different medications and often have to adjust them frequently to find the best combination that addresses each patient's individual needs.
3) Stolberg seems to insinuate that the existence of migraine headache means a concomitant mental illness. At best, this is an association and not causal. Patients that suffer debilitating headaches may experience depression, insomnia or other disorders if the migraine headaches are not controlled. Many patients who have serious chronic diseases (like migraine headache) may have depression, but this is ancillary to primary diagnoses.
drsam...
Submitted by Jer on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 4:06pm.
You may find this to be slightly more authoritative and amplifying than the recitations of Stolberg and Brody.
Jer
Are you for real, Jer?
Submitted by CobraMan on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 4:21pm.
Are you for real, Jer? Do you really think that you can lecture a neurologist on matters concerning neurology, and to do so simply by supplying a link to some study or such? That's just foolish! The guy is a neurologist who has actually treated people for their migraines. I think he knows a LOT more about it than you do.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
"Your Honor,
Submitted by SickofLibs on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 4:31pm.
I'd like to call my next witness. Google, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?"
<sound of hard drive clicking>
I'm not lecturing anybody, Cobra...
Submitted by Jer on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 4:32pm.
So please stop lecturing me. The treatise appears to be a rather scholarly presentation by a neurologist dealing squarely with the issue at hand. I thought drsam might find it interesting and worthy of comment. THAT'S ALL!. Take your insults elsewhere.
Good grief.
Jer
Yea, right
Submitted by CobraMan on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 4:48pm.
Yea, right, you're not lecturing anyone. That's why, I suppose, you tell someone whose actually is an authority about a given subject about who is or isn't more authoritative about that same subject, even though you, yourself, have nothing more than a layman's understanding of that subject. You keep sticking that foot deeper into your mouth, Jer.
Do you know who's being insulating, Jer? YOU ARE, by insulting the intelligence of someone who's far more knowledgeable about a subject than you are.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Fortunately drsam is a good bit more understanding and
Submitted by Jer on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 5:06pm.
conciliatory than you, Cobra, and realizes my purpose was not to discredit, challenge, insult, or lecture anyone. If I were presumptuous enough to suggest I possessed even one-tenth the knowledge of the issue as does drsam, I wouldn't be linking any supplemental authority but instead flaunting my imagined personal expertise. Now how about minding your own business.
Jer
He's far more forgiving than I am
Submitted by CobraMan on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 5:20pm.
He's far more forgiving than I am , Jer. If you had dared to try to "enlighten" me, or offer additional "authoritative" information, on something I am knowledgeable about, like how to repair a Cobra Helicopter, I would told just how insulted I would feel about your "offer" and I would have told you where to stick it. But that's just me.
But, hay, who am I to judge the superior intellectual Jer, someone who always seems to know what others should be aware of and consider, right? I should just stick to minding my own business. Isn't that correct, you sanctimonious jackass?
By the way, Jer, just a suggest, but if you want a comment to be personal, to be received by only one person, put it in a private message and don't post it in the public comment area. That way others, like myself, won't be able to intrude into your private conversations.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
It's not a private conversation, and I don't mind you intruding.
Submitted by Jer on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 5:49pm.
But, if you choose to do so, please don't accuse me of doing something I'm not, while unleashing a barrage of unwarranted insults in the process. At the very least first ask for a clarification or explanation of my intentions.
Jer
If I insulted you, I am sorry
Submitted by CobraMan on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 6:36pm.
If I insulted you, I am sorry, but you cant reasonable claim that you weren't trying to lecture people, including the Doctor. WHY else would you bother to post that link? You should know that the Doctor, being someone who is knowledgeable on the subject, is most likely aware of the subject at hand, including all of the pertinent and current information and treatment possibilities as stated by other people in that particular field of study. So, explain to me just WHY you felt it was necessary to post that link in the public comment section?
I don' think you were trying to inform him, I think you to IMPRESS him, and the rest of us, with your supposed intellect. Well, Jer, sorry if this is insulting to you, but I am NOT impressed with your intellect. We do have some very interesting conversations, and I do appreciate a different point of view, but you have this tendency to, yes, try to impress us all with your own over inflated estimate of your own intelligence. You usually do this by tossing links out at us, as if we're unable to search the internet ourselves and need YOUR help in order to find information.
As as for asking me to stop insulting you, after what I have seen you write to other people, complaining about being insulted by someone is the last thing you should do. I've seen you tear into people, like accuse them of posting incoherent, nonsensical comments based on, what did you call it when you insulted Stachmo a few weeks ago, a mixture of pop psychology , layman's understand, superficial comprehension, and a mixture of, what was it, wishful thinking? That's more or less a paraphrase of the long post you made, but I'm sure you remember exactly what I am referring to. Tell me, would you consider that to be insulting to someone? So, don't be hypocritical about being on the receiving end of insults, ok? You toss them out rather often yourself. Please, spare me the wonded ego ploy.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Good heavens, Cobra...
Submitted by Jer on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 6:50pm.
I posted a brief one sentence comment linking a treatise by a neurologist expanding on the analysis of drsam as well as BACKING HIM UP ON EVERY SINGLE CORE POINT HE ADDRESSED while providing some further insight which I thought might prove interesting and informative with respect to the topic of this thread (including but not limited to migraines and causality)...and I get hammered for "trying to impress all with [my] over inflated estimate of [my] intelligence". The accusation is so preposterous and bewildering I honestly don't know how to respond to it.
And now you toss Satchmo into the mix, a member who is routinely and continuously denounced and disparaged by legions of commenters here as a "pervert"--but never once by me--yet I alone am singled out for having "insulted" him. You have peddled your bike right into the ditch, Cobra.
Jer
Ok, I can't win
Submitted by CobraMan on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 7:05pm.
Ok, I can't win. You'll never admit that, yes, you're being hypocritical when you complain about receiving insults even though you give as good as you get (by the way, when did I EVER accuse you of being the only person to insult someone, like Satchmo?), and, yes, you tend to act sanctimoniously to others and try to impress people with your intellect. So, I'll give up and let you have your supposed victory. I guess you win, and that's the point, isn't it, Jer? After all, I wouldn't want to bruise that enormous ego of yours.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Yeah...just like your "apology" which you then followed up
Submitted by Jer on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 7:15pm.
with a string of blistering ad hominems, you accompany your "surrender" with a few parting shots at my hypocrisy, sanctimonious act and enormous ego. Very nice. How about we both just gracefully retire from the field?
Jer
No harm, no foul Jer.
Submitted by drsamherman on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 4:48pm.
We may have had our differences in the past, but the piece is a good summary of what we have to consider in treating migraines.
I know the doc who wrote the piece and he is a very influential practitioner.
Jer
Submitted by bkeyser on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 6:30pm.
Here's another viewpoint that may even be more authoritative than the one you presented.
That's true, bk...
Submitted by Jer on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 6:57pm.
Cobra has gotten himself bent out of shape because he apparently believes I am attempting to medically disqualify Michele Bachmann from the office of the presidency. I hope you don't think so, too. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Jer
Nah Jer
Submitted by bkeyser on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 7:22pm.
I just saw the letter noted on the Daily Caller -surprisingly (they must've taken some real flak for the hit piece)- and didn't see it noted here. I thought the place where I inserted it was appropriate given the tenor of the discussion. No thoughts regarding anyone's motives here.
Thank you.
Submitted by Jer on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 7:24pm.
Jer
"Stolberg seems to insinuate
Submitted by celator on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 4:24pm.
"Stolberg seems to insinuate that the existence of migraine headache means a concomitant mental illness."
That's the whole point of this week's Bachmann media trail, IMHO. Plant the seed, let it grow, kind of thing.
This will be trumpeted by the usual suspects.
Submitted by drsamherman on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 4:47pm.
Notice how this will be turned into a huge negative context in the coverage for Bachmann. At some point, I would bet that the opposing candidates will be out trying to dig up more health-related information. If this happens, I would encourage any candidates who experience this kind of media intimidation to pursue appropriate legal action based on the applicable privacy laws (state and federal). Health information is protected by several layers of regulation, and misuse for any reason carries heavy fines and jail time.
I find it illuminating that a similar question of Obama's past drug use (per his own publications) was used by some commentators to imply he was just a typical college student of the period, while Bush's recovery from alcoholism was depicted negatively by the usual suspects.
Thank you, Dr. Sam!
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 7:07pm.
My daughter suffered for over a year with relentless headaches before she was finally diagnosed by a neurologist with "chronic daily migraines" and put on a combination of medicines (yes, including an antidepressant), and got some relief.
3) Stolberg seems to insinuate that the existence of migraine headache means a concomitant mental illness.
Of course she does! That's what she wants people to think about migraines, and a lot of her readers will take her at her word.
If only
Submitted by oldmanatee on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 3:21pm.
migraines caused one to run their car off a bridge and leave an innocent woman to drown, then Bachmann would be in the clear.
O/T, who else thinks her campaign theme song should be 'Taking Care of Business' by BTO?
Gee it's good you're concerned with the health of the
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 3:39pm.
potential president of the US. Tell me, where was that concern when Obama had his medical records locked? In fact, don't you feel the need to see that information unlocked?
Where was Ms. Stolberg's
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 7:14pm.
Where was Ms. Stolberg's "concern" when physician of the man who already IS president said that he should moderate his intake of alcohol?
Since the Foundation has only been in existence
Submitted by Jer on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 4:10pm.
for a couple of years, the lack of citations is not particularly surprising.
Jer
Just amazing. It took
Submitted by celator on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 4:10pm.
Just amazing. It took Stolberg just about 24 hours to become an expert on the etiology of migraine headaches, its impact on each and every person who suffers migraines, the types of migraines, proper medication, its signs and symptoms, etc. And then she's able to link all that heavy duty knowledge and insight back to Backmann's performance as a President. Just like the other media numbskulls who are doing so.
Don't tell me there isn't a "journolist" list of lefty, radical media types still on fire out there.
It will get worse.
Submitted by drsamherman on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 9:30pm.
As we close in on the nominations, all of the liberal journalists who slept through Psych 101 will come popping out of the woodwork to offer their "educated" opinions on GOP candidates even worse than the 2008 election.
Ugh...I may need to pull in a supply of anti-nausea medications for this election.
Can You Imagine an Employer Making these Comments?
Submitted by gruyere cheese on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 4:31pm.
Under the American with Disabilities Act, these comments would be grounds for a lawsuit by a potential employee. This woman is basically saying that because Bachmann suffers from Migraine headaches she cannot hold a job? These comments coming from a female are simply unjust. Why doesn't this reporter throw in; menoupause, pregnancy, cramps during a menstrual cycle, post partum depression; and the list goes on....do these so called reporters at the NYT have peas in their brains instead of brain cells?
Did not BHO admit to cocaine abuse?
Submitted by JIMMY1660 on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 4:31pm.
Our President is a Coke Head-Which is making his job numbers fall as they have.
How does that sound?
BHO is a coke head.and disabled.
I'm wondering how these
Submitted by Radical1979 on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 4:35pm.
I'm wondering how these people can find migraines a serious impediment to the presidency, but Obama's past illegal drug use is o.k.
Also, how is it that now being gay is more acceptable to these people than migraines?
Marlboro man?
Submitted by Tomorama on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 5:10pm.
So the lying, gutless, clueless, fraud in chief smokes and eats garbage and is nagged to death by Moooochelle and he "is human" just like all of us, gush, slurp HURL.
Bacchmann, get's headaches, real bad ones, and she is a day off waiting to happen and totally unfit for President.
Speaking of days off, isn't the lying, gutless, clueless, classless, factless fraud do for a visit to the Vineyard in my neck of the woods?
Maybe he can take a drive by where Teddy left and innocent girl to die?
Even the study doesn't link depression to migraines
Submitted by stunned on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 5:57pm.
The study says 17% of people with migraines have depression? The story says 12% of the people with migraines have depression. Bachman hasn't been diagnosed with depression so why bring it up except to imply she would be unfit to be POTUS. The MSM will pull out all the stops to keep Obama in office and that's just what this story is all about. Trashing any and all Republicans while refusing to do stories on the actual hardships people are living with daily under Obama's leadership will be what we will be living with for the next 16 months.
tired of liberal lies
So stupid!
Submitted by GG_NB on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 7:08pm.
Migraines are a neurological condition, not a psychiatric one. Duh! And people work around them like people work around having allergies or colds or back problems -- or whatever! We all have "stuff" we work around -- and some have medications to help.
Wow, these people are really desperate to get Obama re-elected.
As an aside, Pawlenty looked like a desperate jerk with his comments on Bachman's migraines (and we expect you to catch not one single flu that makes you retreat to bed EVER, Pawlenty!)...and Romney's handling of Bachman's migraines was very impressive.
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
~Ronald Reagan
GG
Submitted by Radical1979 on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 7:09pm.
I would be willing to bet that even with her migraines, Bachman would rack up more working hours than the golfopheliac Obama.
Rad~
Submitted by GG_NB on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 7:11pm.
Exactly!
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
~Ronald Reagan
So,
Submitted by almostacowboy on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 9:51pm.
now Bachmann is supposed to come clean on how many votes she's missed due to her "mental" problems, what drugs she's taking and their effect on her capacity to fulfill her duties, eh? What next, LSM? Her menstrual cycle? (please excuse my crudeness but I've had enough).
How F-ing Moronic
Submitted by Motormouth KOS on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 10:14pm.
Who cares about who is more enlightening on migraines? The point of this thread should be what an outrage it is to paint Ms. Bachman as possibly unfit to serve.
How about this...?
The Pimp in the White House lives on the golf course, lies through his teeth, but when he does show up, he runs the country into the ground.
We should be so lucky if he would skip a few more days of work
The Obamination... A crisis leading to a catastrophe..(please donate to MRC)
headache
Submitted by grammajane on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 11:50pm.
Brian thought it was such an important question to ask Bachman about her head aches and how if would affect her job as Pres. but, never asked Barry about his friendship with Ayers and how that would affect his job. BOR made me sick tonight blabbing about reporters rights and stood up with Brian. Doesn't he realize Brian and the rest of the media would love to tear her down like they are doing to Palin. BOR is a has been and part Liberal and lost my viewing him anymore.
KOS~
Submitted by GG_NB on Thu, 07/21/2011 - 8:30am.
The buzz on Bachman's migraines -- both the specific misleading info on migraines (what they are/how people can cope with them) AND the insinuation that she wouldn't be able to perform her duties as President having a medical condition -- is just more of the same MSM and lib talking head manipulations.
They're desperate. Utterly desperate. And in some cases, I think the personalities involved are just plain mean, like bullies. When some people get fearful or feel threatened (by how they may be affected by something), they get mean as snakes.
No offense to snakes.
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
~Ronald Reagan