Did you want to be 'diagnosed'?

[Puglett]

Hello everyone,

Lately, due to the difficulties I've been experiencing, I've had a strong desire to get a proper 'diagnosis' (beyond just anxiety and depression symptoms plus OCD). I feel like more could be going on with myself. Did you ever go through a time when you really wanted to be diagnosed? I feel it would help me understand myself. I was also wondering how much info is okay to take to a Psychiatrist appointment? I have gone through different (free online) assessments myself and would like to share my concerns and results with the Psychiatrist, I have actually collaborated 'heaps' of information to take.

Thank you x

[Croix]

Dear Puglett~

It is not a straightforward question, some people do not wish to be diagnosed as they feel it simply makes them a 'de-personalized case of ....' to be managed. Maybe it depends in part on who is doing the medical support.

Others, such as myself found out that I had PTSD when it was not initially diagnosed, it made a huge difference to me, treatment varied of course to take this into account, but the best thing for me was to find my thoughts reactions and behavior were not just faults of mine, but standard recognizably symtptoms of the  condition.

If you feel your current medical support has overlooked things you are experiencing or are on the wrong path maybe you can discuss it with them . Apart from that then sure, go see a psychiatrist and set everything out in an organized and understandable manner.

Any doctor or psych is only human, and being presented wiht a whole lode of stuff, particularly by word of mouth, can be confusing and important points can be missed.

My own method has been to take some days, list out my feelings, and what has been happening to me, and then reduce it down to a simple point-form document (one whole page is probably far too much).

The consultation then firstly gives the psych a list to work from and secondly lets you answer questions if something needs amplification -simpler for you too. As an additional advantage because it was written down and I shared the paper I was not able to skip some of the more embarrassing or difficult bits:)

Do you think this might be of use to you?

Croix

[geoff]

Hello Puglett, if I can say as I too have OCD, this can complicate the problems you are having with anxiety and depression that only someone trained in this field or perhaps a person suffering from it will understand as this particular illness can change our circumstances on a daily basis.

Free online assessments can be a good indication, but an honest diagnosis is more plausible and if you can possibly write down on some paper (in point form)what seems to be troubling yourself, I say in point form, because it's much easier for the counsellor to understand your concerns, rather than a letter.

Psychiatrist's have a different approach to a psychologist, so may be you might consider both diagnoses and get a 'mental health plan' from your doctor, which entitles you to 20 Medicare paid sessions per year.

Please ask any question you like.

Geoff.

Life Member.

[jaz28]

Hi Puglett,

I am sorry you have been experiencing these symptoms. Just to clarify - have you seen a psychologist or psychiatrist yet? Or are these just symptoms you have noticed you are experiencing?

Online assessments can give an indication of things but they are not enough to go by, there is a reason we have psychiatrists that have trained for years to give accurate diagnoses. You can start by going to a GP and explaining your symptoms, and they will refer you to the services they think are most appropriate, whether that be a psychiatrist or a psychologist. I would start here and explain to the doctor about the symptoms and experiences you have been having.

I hope things improve soon,

Jaz xx

[Puglett]

Hi Jaz,

Thanks for your reply. I am seeing a psychologist, though they would rather I wait until my psychiatrist appointment this coming Thursday before any diagnosis/changes to treatment are considered and my GP feels the same way. 

It has been really difficult not knowing why I feel so terrible, I think actually knowing what is going on will be a relief given the medication I have been taking seems to have put me into a hypomanic state, and at the same time I do have some symptoms that fit in with borderline PD so it has been really hard not to know the answer.

Thanks Geoff and Croix for your responses as well, I appreciate them x

[jaz28]

I know it's hard, I would just see how things go - have you had to appointment?

[Puglett]

Hi again Jaz,

Not yet, it's on Thursday so a couple of days time.

I couldn't do the wait and had a bad night - did not sleep, increased suicidal thoughts (though safe/no intent) and lower mood. I went to ED as I have been messing around with my medication and have also had lots of prescribed changes, so I wanted to get an opinion on what to do until my Thursday appointment. I felt quite terrible taking up their time when I wasn't in immediate danger, though the highly stimulating hospital environment distracted me until I started to feel sleepy/ready for bed, did not get home until 6am in the morning so am definitely tired now!

Thanks for checking in, I really appreciate it x

I think it helps me get through the 'waiting'.

[Sophie_M]

Hi Puglett,

Thank you for sharing this update here. We hope you don't mind us popping in. We just wanted to let you know that going to ED when dealing with suicidal thoughts and medication changes is a really good move. We also wanted to drop in to let you know that we're here, if talking it through with the Support Service is ever helpful. We're on 1300 22 4636, or you can reach us online via the Immediate Support button at the top of the page. 

Thanks again for your openness here, and for starting such a good conversation. We think there'll be others reading this and feeling less alone because of it. 

Kind regards, 

Sophie M

[Puglett]

Thanks Sophie,

Unfortunately EDs don't always provide much support beyond safety and medication, though I understand their purpose. I had run out of steam waiting to have confirmed what I suspected was going on and start on the path to right medications.

I saw the Psychiatrist who agreed my symptoms fitted in with a hypomanic episode following a period of depression, so they said I meet the criteria for a bipolar 2 diagnosis. I felt very relieved that someone finally understood what was going on with me and how unwell I have been, though at the same time sad that I have no family who have capacity to support me through this, I do have friends though.

I have used chat lines before, though I often find I need to talk to someone who has the background on me in order to fully deescalate my emotions.