Concerns about Diagnosis?

Stargirl23 · ‎10-11-2016

Hey everyone, bit scary putting this out here but I need some advice and you all seem very knowledgable about all things mental health.

A little context to start: I'm 20, currently going through pretty rough time. Been diagnosed with anxiety & depression for a long time now, also on meds...though I really question whether they are the right ones for me or not. I also (unfortunately) relapsed with self harming and have been generally pretty low. See a doctor, psychiatrist and counsellor semi regularly, although am waiting for a referall to come through for a new psychiatrist.

Have you ever wondered your diagnosis is right though? Is it good to get a second opinion or just a waste of time? I know its not ideal using Dr Google but I've been reading a lot about bipolar recently and am wondering whether its possible that I may have it...the ups and downs, feeling boosts of energy where you have all these ideas and try and take on a lot and then end up crashing? I can be pretty impulsive sometimes, spending money I don't really have/can't justify, engaging in behaviours for which I later feel aren't even me and later regreting them. Feeling like you can do everything, be anyone and then oversleeping, no energy, no motivation, depressed and crying etc. My doctor shut me down when I suggested it and whilst that could be completely valid, I wonder whether there is more to it? She said what I was describing were both causes of anxiety and depression. It is without a doubt that I suffer from anxiety but sometimes the depression just feels like so much more? (I don't even know if that makes sense...) I just feel like I'm all over the place all the time, no middle ground and I don't know whether I'm overthinking it all or shoul trust my instincts that there's more to it? Any advice?

Starwolf · ‎11-11-2016

Hi Stargirl, welcome to the forums and thank you for bravely reaching out.

The problem with labels, is that they're restrictive. The reality is that there is a wide range of individual nuances in between. Google only deals with generalities. I understand you will soon be seeing a different psychiatrist. This will give you a second professional opinion which -I hope- will help put your mind at rest.

But are labels all that important ? I think the priority is whether the treatment prescribed for you is adequate to your specific symptoms...whatever category they're bundled in. We are all different so react differently to whatever is affecting us. Being totally open and honest with your therapist re the nature of your symptoms, feelings and concerns will go a long way towards all those being addressed, regardless of labels.

It can take several attempts before finding the right medication and a therapist you can connect and work with. Medication takes a while to kick in, side-effects can change as the body learns to adjust. Sometimes, it can stop being effective and a new approach must be found. Healing can involve a fair bit of tweaking along the way.

Relapses are always upsetting but they're only setbacks, not failure. Recovery is no straight-forward process. Accepting that setbacks are part of it does help moving on from them. Depression comes and goes in waves but waves do pass. You are doing a great proactive job. You have courage, inner strength and good insight in what is going on. With the right help and support, whatever you are up against can be managed. Some peace of mind can return.

Meanwhile, navigating the forums will reveal a mine of information (look out for threads about bipolar, depression, self-harming, medication & treatment etc...). As you may have noticed, there is a section of the forums for young people with its own virtual Cafe to hang out and chill. Here you are in charge...please feel free to connect, share and/or just let steam off.

Good to have you on board.

james1 · ‎11-11-2016

Hi Stargirl,

Welcome to the forums! It's wonderful to have you on board here and I'm glad to hear you have been really trying to manage your mental illness.

The short answer I can give, which may or may not be helpful, is that I don't think anyone truly understands mental illness. Misdiagnosis is rife because all we see are the symptoms and they can be indicative of a whole array of things. So I'd probably say trust your doctors, but air your concerns with them. And if they shut those down immediately without giving you any comfort about why, perhaps see another doctor.

I'm 24 and I've been told I have symptoms of borderline personality disorder, which has similarities with bipolar II. I've had one psychiatrist say flat out no it's just depression, one who says I'm just having a hard time, and one who says symptoms but not a full blown diagnosis. So where does that leave me? No where really. I don't really trust any of those diagnoses, but I trust the last psychologist enough to give her suggestions a go.

So I realise personality disorders and mood disorders are different in their treatment, but I feel like the same principle applies in both. You need to find a mental health professional you trust. So whatever their diagnosis, whether you agree or not, you feel like you can carry through with their suggestions and trust that that will help.

You said you were seeking another psychiatrist...may I ask why? Was it because this one just shut you down without an explanation?

James

romantic_thi3f · ‎22-11-2016

Hey Stargirl23,

I saw that you wrote this post a little while ago but thought I'd check in anyway to see how you were going with it all.

None of us are professionals here so I strongly encourage you to have a chat to your GP or Psychiatrist when you get in to see them.

From my personal perspective though, I have both anxiety and depression and my friend has Bipolar - so I can see the differences in the conditions. The way Google (or a Medical website) describes the condition is very different to the way the GP and Psychiatrist perceives it. The idea of boosts of energy may to some people mean getting the housework done and finishing all their homework, but to others may actually mean cleaning the entire house, going shopping all day, spending hundreds of dollars and partying all night. See how they sound the same?

I also encourage you to consider keeping a record of your moods;- all the sleep patterns, ups and downs etc. This can be a great way to track how your sleep affects your mood and whether your moods have a pattern (does your energy peak/crash at a certain time? How does your mood fluctuate throughout the day?). This can be incredibly helpful for both your GP, Psychiatrist and Counsellor. This can also help you see patterns maybe you haven't recognised before.

I also think that it's worth pushing your GP (or Psychiatrist); if he/she is sure that it's not Bipolar, don't be afraid to ask why. Being pushed away or ignored is not helpful and it's not giving you peace of mind.

Feel free to let us know how you get on with everything 🙂

Stargirl23 · ‎06-03-2017

Thank you so much for your response. I'm sorry its taken me so long to get back to you! I've just remembered about these forums and realised what a great tool it is and what insightful advice you all have to offer. I really appreciate your thoughts but it is a bit weird for me to read this after so long- I am definitely a lot less concerned now about the diagnosis- I definitely get what you mean labels being important or not (not so much I think!) and more focused on getting better and being able to maintain it. I am doing more support and wellbeing things than I have ever before and it seems to be helping so thats a positive thing.

Stargirl23 · ‎06-03-2017

Thank you for all your insight, it is very interesting and quite relatable too. I haven't been on for ages so that explains the no response (sorry about that!) but I am definitely realising that the labels and diagnosises are probably less of a concern for me to be worried about and to concencrate more on getting better and maintaining it.

And to answer your last question, yes, I was uncomfortable with my psych with the shutting me down and wanting to see someone different but I've actually stayed with the same one and they are okay afterall.

Stargirl23 · ‎06-03-2017

I really appreciate all your thoughts, I havent been on these for ages and just remembered the thread I did- so thought I would have a bit of a look. I'm differently in a different headspace to where I was in then. I am much more focused on getting recovered/mentally balanced rather than concencrating on the labels of mental illness.

romantic_thi3f · ‎07-03-2017

Hi Stargirl123,

Thanks for your post!

Just wanted to say thanks for jumping back on the forums again and I appreciate you letting us know where you are at. It's great to hear that you are less focused on the diagnosis now and more focused on getting recovered and in balance.

Hope that you're doing well - feel free to keep posting if you like.