The One-Hour Test Graph

The one-hour test is in two parts. As to the somatic part of the test: No person has all of the listed symptoms, but three, four, or more are not uncommon. An hour after PHT, moderation or elimination of symptoms is usually observed.

It’s essential to grade the symptoms on a scale. We use 1-10. The average phenytoin needer has many thoughts going on, interfering with concentration, and his memory is poor. A person may have a severe headache, which might be rated “8.” An hour later, the headache might be mild (a “2”), but the person might say, “I still have a headache.” As to the second part of the test: Unnecessary thoughts usually disappear in one hour and the negative emotions that come with them are decreased or eliminated. This is a more objective method of assessing changes in mood than asking, “How do you feel?” before PHT and again an hour later.

The One-Hour Test

Part I—Somatic Conditions

These questions pertain to how you feel now. If you answer yes to any question, grade your symptom, on a scale of 1–10 (1, minimal; 10, most severe).

Part II—Thoughts and Emotions

You could begin by asking the patient what he had for breakfast. When he tells you, remind him that he got that out of his memory, it wasn’t alive in his brain. Tell him what you want are thoughts that are going on now, that are difficult to turn off.

If there are such thoughts, ask the patient to write them on the left side of a piece of paper (you don’t need to see them, they might be personal). Then ask the patient to think each thought separately, and write opposite it the emotion or feeling that comes with it.

An hour after 100 mg of PHT, ask the same questions.

Next Section: One-Hour Test in China

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