More than Depression?

[WatcherG]

Hi all, I am hoping for some advice on what I should do about my "issues"... I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression a number of years ago (at least 8 years) - I have been on a variety of medications over that time, and two years ago I started having "black outs" - keeping the story short, after MRIs and a sleep-deprivation EEG, the neurologists identified "slowing" on the left side of my brain... ever since then, I am really struggling to hold down a job... just last week I resigned from my 3rd job in the last 18 months, the last two only lasting 4-5 weeks in both.

The last two jobs were - for me - high stress jobs in hospitals, after a career change from office work... I can't concentrate, have trouble sleeping, my mind jumps around so much, I spend whatever money I earn on "projects" which I change every couple of days... I have read about bipolar over the last couple of years, but when I have suggested it to the couple of GPs I go to, they dismiss it pretty quickly... I know self-diagnosis is not the thing to do, but I am sick of trying the same solutions that I have tried for a number of years...

I just want to get back into work, be part of society again (I have no friends, only my wife and teenage children) and, most of all, get help!!

[white knight]

Hi, welcome

I can only say, swap GP's. Your symptoms seem complex and we aren't trained medical personnel so we can't advise on possibles.

In the meantime good luck and here is a few threads that might help. Use Google

Beyondblue topic anxiety, how I eliminated it

Beyondblue topic the timing of motivation

TonyWK

[quirkywords]

WatcherG

I am sorry that no medical person seems to listen to you.

The Black Dog Institute has a lot of information about bipolar. They also have a depression and bipolar clinic and you need a referral from a supportive GP. You may like to look at the website , they have information and checklists.

https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/

[WatcherG]

Thanks guys - I know that I need to get another referral, I just hope I can find a doctor what is willing to listen to my concerns - having now worked with health professionals, I understand better that stepping on their toes can be a dangerous thing to do - here's hoping I can find one who is open to listening!

I will have a look at the resources you have mentioned - anything that can help me is greatly appreciated.

[geoff]

Hello WatcherG, Quirky and Tony have offered other links to research.

I can only suggest what's happened with me as I too have had blackouts as I also have activity on the left side of my brain, caused by an assault from behind, which left me a blood clot on the brain and developed epilepsy as a result.

In the past years (20 years ago) when I was in depression, these blackouts happened regularly, especially when my wife left me, causing windows, tables and anything else to be broken, people blamed it on drinking, believing the reason why I fell through the windows, but I had general tonic seizures.

My concern is that the 'neurologists identified "slowing" on the left side of my brain' and should have given you a diagnosis and perhaps medication should have been prescribed, if not, then you need to ask your doctor to see another neurologist as this condition is of great concern.

I haven't had any blackouts for over 20 years because the medication is able to control it.

Hope to hear back from you as there are other concerns we'd like to talk about.

Geoff.