5 Ways Preliminary Testing Can Catch What Doctors Might Miss
Preliminary testing can be a game-changer in medical diagnoses, often revealing conditions that might otherwise go unnoticed. This article explores several ways in which early screening and comprehensive assessments can uncover hidden health issues, from misdiagnosed mental health conditions to subtle physical ailments. Drawing on insights from experts in various medical fields, we delve into how these advanced testing methods are reshaping diagnostic approaches and improving patient outcomes.
- Bipolar Markers Reveal Misdiagnosed Depression
- Advanced Imaging Detects Asymptomatic Retinal Hole
- Comprehensive Movement Analysis Uncovers Hip Issue
- Piriformis Tests Redefine Sciatica Diagnosis Approach
- Thorough Assessment Reveals Autism Beyond ADHD
Bipolar Markers Reveal Misdiagnosed Depression
During my time as a consultant clinical psychologist at Monash Health, I had a patient referred for what appeared to be treatment-resistant depression. The GP had tried multiple antidepressants over 18 months with minimal improvement.
My comprehensive psychological assessment revealed clear manic episodes in the patient's history - periods of decreased sleep, grandiose thinking, and risky financial decisions that had been dismissed as "stress responses." The differential diagnosis was actually Bipolar Type II, not major depression.
This completely changed the treatment approach from antidepressant monotherapy to mood stabilization with psychological support. The patient's symptoms improved dramatically within weeks once properly treated.
At MVS Psychology Group, we now routinely screen for bipolar markers even when depression seems straightforward, especially if there's early onset or family history of mood disorders. Our comprehensive assessment approach has caught similar misdiagnoses in about 15% of our "treatment-resistant depression" referrals.
Advanced Imaging Detects Asymptomatic Retinal Hole
The other day, during a routine exam, we detected a retinal hole in an asymptomatic patient using Optos ultra-widefield imaging. She had no visual complaints and expected nothing more than an updated glasses prescription. Yet, the Optos scan revealed a subtle peripheral break that would have been easy to miss without advanced imaging.
Because it was caught early, I was able to promptly refer her for treatment and likely prevent a retinal detachment. The patient was shocked that something so serious could develop without any symptoms, and it became a powerful reminder of why routine eye exams and advanced imaging are so valuable.
That experience reinforced how attention to detail—paired with the right technology—can make all the difference in protecting a patient's vision.
Comprehensive Movement Analysis Uncovers Hip Issue
I had a patient who came in with a condition her doctor had diagnosed as "chronic lower back pain." The doctor had prescribed muscle relaxers and advised her to rest for six weeks. During my manual assessment at Evolve, I noticed significant asymmetry in her hip mobility and some unusual neurological responses during testing.
My goniometry measurements showed a 40-degree difference in hip internal rotation between sides, and her walking endurance test revealed she was compensating heavily on one leg. More importantly, she had subtle balance issues that weren't obvious during normal walking but became clear during our coordination testing.
I immediately contacted her physician with my findings. Additional imaging revealed a small labral tear in her hip that was causing the back pain as compensation. Instead of continuing ineffective back treatments, she received proper hip rehabilitation and avoided what could have been months of worsening symptoms.
This case reinforced why we conduct comprehensive movement analysis on every patient at Evolve, not just focus on the painful area. Our manual muscle testing and joint mobility assessments often reveal the true source of dysfunction that imaging alone might miss.
Piriformis Tests Redefine Sciatica Diagnosis Approach
As the Practice Manager at Global Clinic, I have observed how our comprehensive intake process identifies issues that are often overlooked elsewhere. Last year, we had a patient come in for what appeared to be straightforward sciatica - he had already seen two doctors who focused solely on his lower back pain.
During our standard evaluation, we always perform the full battery of tests mentioned in our piriformis vs sciatica protocols. When our team conducted the FAIR test and PACE maneuver, his pain manifested in a completely different pattern than typical sciatica. It turned out to be piriformis syndrome, not spinal sciatica at all.
What truly changed our approach was realizing how many patients are shuffled through the system with incomplete diagnoses. We now require both piriformis-specific tests AND spinal sciatica testing for every lower back/leg pain case, regardless of what the referral states.
The result? We have identified piriformis syndrome in approximately 30% of patients who came to us with "sciatica" diagnoses from other providers. These patients now receive targeted treatment instead of months of ineffective spinal-focused therapy.
Thorough Assessment Reveals Autism Beyond ADHD
As a psychologist who has conducted thousands of neurodevelopmental assessments, I recently encountered a case where our comprehensive psychological testing revealed autism spectrum disorder in a 14-year-old who had been misdiagnosed with "just ADHD" by their pediatrician for years. The teenager was struggling academically despite medication, and the family was frustrated.
Our multi-hour assessment, using play-based techniques and standardized tools like the ADOS-2, uncovered significant social communication differences and sensory processing patterns that weren't captured in a brief medical appointment. The previous doctor had focused solely on attention issues because that's what parents reported first.
This case reinforced why we moved to our current comprehensive evaluation model at Bridges of the Mind. We now spend more than three hours with each client across multiple sessions, looking at the whole picture rather than just presenting symptoms. Our team has identified dozens of missed autism diagnoses, learning disabilities, and trauma responses that were previously labeled as behavioral problems.
The key shift was moving from symptom-focused assessments to understanding each person's complete neurodevelopmental profile. Parents consistently tell us they finally have answers after years of confusion, and children receive the right support instead of treatments that weren't designed for their actual needs.
