misdiagnosis

My pdoc and T told me they feel they have misdiagnoses me. After working with me for ten month they feel like I fall under the category of giftedness and I am not severely bipolar. They originally diagnosed me as having a severe bipolar 1 disorder. They told me misdiagnosis is common especially when a gifted child has been abused. I was a victim of child abuse and I experience PTSD as a result. They want me to continue taking the same medication because of my struggle with anxiety and depression. It is all very confusing. It is strange that being gifted is a diagnosis that needs treatment. Any how they have told me they are going to approach my therapy in a completely different way and they have apologized for the misdiagnosis.

You know, I think they are too quick these days to make a diagnosis. It seems like they put a label or disorder on everything.

Do you know how many kids are diagnosed with things just because they act like "kids" should act.

It seems to me that everything has a label to it these days. You definitely should continue therapy in my opinion because of what happened to you as a child.

The "giftedness" is a crock. That word is thrown around and given to almost anyone especially children. It is meant to raise self esteem and counteract various cultural influences. It is a fault of a psychologists emphasis on the individual. Just ignore that part. Believe me, I'm walking around with the label of "intellectual giftedness" but, often times I'm very stupid.

But the PTSD diagnosis could make more sense. Many people are misdiagnosed with depression, anxiety or bipolar when what is really happening is a product of a harsh life, poor choices, poor coping and abuse.

Good luck!

It doesn't matter what they call you as long as what you're doing about your problems is helping.

I think all the labels are really confusing. Being relabeled gifted makes me feel even more isolated. I want to deal with my behavior patterns so I can develop my skills, finish school, and live my life.

I think it is difficult if not impossible to objectively define giftedness and ultimately is not helpful. I think, in some realm, you might be several standards of deviation away from the norm and that would affect how you function. I agree with an above poster that the PTSD dx is the important one. I know there was question of whether I was PTSD or PTSD with bipolar. In my case, I have both disorders, or I should say had. I've recovered from the PTSD, so there is hope there.