Diagnosed with depression (6years) but recently learned about what bipolar II is. My psychologist keeps avoiding discussing this with me, why?

Nikolette22 · ‎23-10-2014

Ok so I've been on a super depression for the last 4 months so I booked in to see a clinical psychologist. Within 5 minutes he asked me if I had bipolar. I said no as my only knowledge of bipolar included psychotic episodes which I have never had. so we moved on in the discussion.

After the the session though, I decided to read a bit more about bipolar to find out what is was. The description of the "ups" of Bipolar II were extremely indicative of me when I'm feeling my "normal" happy self. I did the black dog inst self assessment and got 43. They say a score of 22 or more could indicates bipolar disorder.

So I emailed my psychologist and thanked him for our first session as I felt like he was the right person to help me and I said that I had had a look at bipolar II and it rang extremely true with me and could we discuss it in our next session.

In the next session, he thanked me for my email and then he talked the entire session about Freudian theory. The buzzer went off and I asked if we could discuss the possibility of bipolar next time.

So I had my 3rd session today and he again did most of the talking (about confidence) and I asked if my extreme confidence could be to do with bipolar II. He said no and moved on.

wtf? Is he avoiding this for some reason?

AGrace · ‎24-10-2014

Hi Nikolette,

Firstly it's very unusual for a Psychologist to make any form of diagnosis, as this is not in their training. So if you would like an accurate diagnosis can I suggest you make an assessment time with a Psychiatrist.

Secondly if your Psychologist is doing most of the talking in your first few sessions then I would suggest finding a new Psychologist. The therapist should be doing all the listening, and talking to you about possible approaches and theories should not be occurring so soon. The first few sessions are usually dedicated to the client sharing their story.

I'm not saying you do or don't have Bipolar, but if it's something that you are concerned about then I'd get a referral to see a Psychiatrist.

I hope this helps.

AGrace

Nikolette22 · ‎29-10-2014

Thank you AGrace. This is the second psychologist that I have seen on this mental health care plan. The first one I had one session with, told him the general overview of my life and he said the world is a depressing place and that I seemed to know all my triggers so what did I need him for. A definite disconnect there.

So is it normal to have to try several psychologists before you find one that understands you? I feel like I've spent the last 7 weeks delving even further into this horrible depression and by the time I find the right help, I'll be in such financial and mental ruin that it will tip me over the edge.

AGrace · ‎29-10-2014

Sadly, it can be quite common to trial a few before you get the right fit. Did you consider the idea of seeing a Psychiatrist instead?

AGrace

Nikolette22 · ‎30-10-2014

Thanks AGrace, it's good to know that I'm not just being picky.

I had my 4th session with my psychologist today and I asked if we could discuss bipolar II disorder, he side stepped my question twice before finally saying he could diagnose me there and then. I said I like to start by telling him what my "ups" were like. He then fumbled through a text book, asked me 3 questions, had no idea what mixed episodes were (I explained it) before he said yes ok I can diagnose you with Bipolar II. I asked him what my next step was and he said he wasn't sure but that it didn't change his treatment plan. I explained that a diagnosis of this is a huge and completely changes my life.

i left there and booked straight into my gp (bulk billed clinic aka any doc) he let me know that a psychologist cannot diagnose and referred me to a psychiatrist for a proper diagnosis and medication review.

Ahhh i I finally feel like I'm getting somewhere!