Thread: Is this true?
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Old Sep 28, 2015, 03:24 PM
tiger8 tiger8 is offline
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Member Since: Jul 2015
Location: CA
Posts: 294
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmorales View Post
I would say call and go see a psychiatrist because ultimately they are the professional who can make a diagnosis. I mean, sure, one can "self-diagnose" depression because it's usually quite obvious, but other symptoms can occur in many disorders. When I first went in for evaluation, I had no idea what I had. I knew I was depressed. I knew I had had psychotic episodes. But things like mania/hypomania can often be confused with anxiety/panic attacks or whatever. People can become psychotic in any number of disorders.

The only way to know for sure is sit down and have a deep conversation/evaluation by a professional/professionals. My evaluation/diagnosis was no short visit. Plan on clearing your schedule for this and remember you have to be completely honest with the doctors evaluating you; no matter how embarrassing the symptoms (for example, hyersexuality) may be. My evaluation consisted of two evaluations: first by a psychologist then a psychiatrist. They asked me if I was okay with trying psych meds. Truthfully, nobody can force you to take medication. I voluntarily began taking medication because I didn't know what else would help. And though it has helped me, it has also robbed me of some of my personality (or so it feels).

I wish you luck in your journey. It may be long, but it will be for the best. Medication or not, it can be a relief to finally get that diagnosis and from there, the proper form of treatment (for you) can truly begin.
Thanks for writing about your experiences.

Did you not get informed about other options then other than asking if you are OK with taking meds?

I'm not worried about being forced to take medication, I'm not dangerous to myself or to others so not getting hospitalized against my own will and I suppose that's the only case where you'd be getting forced to.