[comicgeek007]

Let's start with the good, I guess.

• the guy knew his stuff about meds
• he took me off my meds completely, which I guess I wanted

And now for the bad:

• He wants more than anything for me to go to a different college.
• He thinks colleg adjustment is the reason for my problems with mood, even though it's been going on for longer than that - try 2+ years longer
• but at the same time, he thinks Bipolar 2 is a joke diagnosis and so naturally there's nothing REALLY wrong with me
• HE CALLED ME FAT! No joke. My dad brought up my diagnosis of anorexia and the pdoc looked at me and said I couldn't be anorexic because I wasn't skinny.
• AUUUURGH!
• Why do I get stuck with the stuck-up a**hats?

[comicgeek007]

I need to run.

[jadedbutterfly]

What an awful experience. It amazes me that someone with that attitude is working with anybody, never mind people with psychiatric issues.
Hope you do not have to see this pdoc again!

[bluemountains]

Did he tell you he doesn't believe that bipolar 2 is real? This sounds very odd for a pdoc to believe. Does he believe there is bipolar 1 or depression? Did another pdoc give you your original diagnosis? It sounds odd that your doctors have such different thoughts about your diagnosis.
I hope all goes well with being med-free!
Bluemountains

[wildflowerchild25]

what a d-bag. but he took you off your meds, so i guess that's good. if you go crazy at least that will prove there IS something going on not related to college. I used to think bipolar 2 was a BS dx as well until I had to really look at my life and admit something was wrong. however I am not a pdoc.

I hope med-free works for you!

[comicgeek007]

Originally Posted by bluemountains

Did he tell you he doesn't believe that bipolar 2 is real? This sounds very odd for a pdoc to believe. Does he believe there is bipolar 1 or depression? Did another pdoc give you your original diagnosis? It sounds odd that your doctors have such different thoughts about your diagnosis.
I hope all goes well with being med-free!
Bluemountains

Specifically he said it was too squishy a diagnosis now to be clinically valuable. He believes in bipolar 1 and depression, though. Yes, a psychologist diagnosed me as bp2, from the same practice as this guy no less. Thanks.

[wildflowerchild25]

too squishy. that amused me. ha.

[ultramar]

Sounds like he was maybe diagnosing you with an 'adjustment disorder' (since he mentioned difficulty with adjustment to school)? It sounds like it's not a good fit for you, but for what it's worth, this is the Mayo Clinic info:

Adjustment disorders - MayoClinic.com

The full info is above, below are the symptoms:

Emotional symptoms of adjustment disorders

Signs and symptoms of adjustment disorder may affect how you feel and think about yourself or life, including:

• Sadness
• Hopelessness
• Lack of enjoyment
• Crying spells
• Nervousness
• Thoughts of suicide
• Anxiety
• Worry
• Desperation
• Trouble sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling overwhelmed

Again, for what it's worth. I'm not sure I understand all the 'temp' stuff --is your regular T and pdoc back at school? In any case, you could try to see a different pdoc where you are now or back at school for another opinion.

For the record, I can see why he didn't take your therapist's diagnosis at face value (which doesn't mean his is correct): First, most pdocs want to do their own evaluations, no matter who already diagnosed you, second, therapists (technically) aren't qualified to diagnose. Though I personally think that in many cases, if you've been with a therapist for a good while, they are likely to know you better than your pdoc.

I hope you do well off meds and can get a good (and long-term) therapist who can help you. Whatever's going on, I think a good therapist can be very helpful. In any case, you have your artwork and your show and that's important, that's you, your creations, your work, which no label can take away from you.

[sheltielover2013]

Originally Posted by comicgeek007

Let's start with the good, I guess.

• the guy knew his stuff about meds
• he took me off my meds completely, which I guess I wanted

And now for the bad:

• He wants more than anything for me to go to a different college.
• He thinks colleg adjustment is the reason for my problems with mood, even though it's been going on for longer than that - try 2+ years longer
• but at the same time, he thinks Bipolar 2 is a joke diagnosis and so naturally there's nothing REALLY wrong with me
• HE CALLED ME FAT! No joke. My dad brought up my diagnosis of anorexia and the pdoc looked at me and said I couldn't be anorexic because I wasn't skinny.
• AUUUURGH!
• Why do I get stuck with the stuck-up a**hats?

When I read experiences like yours it makes me realize just how blessed I am to have my psychiatrist of 18 years. He has seen me through involuntary commitments, severe psychotic episodes, deep suicidal depressions, manic episodes so severe I needed to be restrained and forcibly sedated, and he has always treated me like I was an intelligent and valuable human being worthy of respect. I have a great professional career, a healthy and happy daughter and I have a future because he has done his job so well. Trust me, there ARE good psychiatrists out there. Please keep looking.

[Nessa213]

Originally Posted by comicgeek007

And now for the bad:

• He wants more than anything for me to go to a different college.
• He thinks colleg adjustment is the reason for my problems with mood, even though it's been going on for longer than that - try 2+ years longer
• but at the same time, he thinks Bipolar 2 is a joke diagnosis and so naturally there's nothing REALLY wrong with me
• HE CALLED ME FAT! No joke. My dad brought up my diagnosis of anorexia and the pdoc looked at me and said I couldn't be anorexic because I wasn't skinny.
• AUUUURGH!
• Why do I get stuck with the stuck-up a**hats?

Wait wait wait wait....

Ok first... calling bp2 a "squishy" or a "joke" diagnosis f**king pisses me off. So I already hate this guy.

Second, he not only claims that your issues stem from adjustment to college but he THEN wants you just... go ahead and switch colleges just so that you can go through all this again?? The f**k is that??? (That is, if that were even the case. Which it doesn't sound like it is.)

Third, someone saying "I don't believe in bipolar 2" is like someone saying... "I don't believe in guns"... sorry dude.. they exist... hate to break your little heart. (Yes... I'm stuck on this... it's what I do.)

And finally, to simply LOOK at you and say "oh... you weigh too much to be anorexic" COME ON. I read that and my jaw literally dropped.

I really hate this guy. If it would have been me in your place I would have had to have been restrained. No joke. I kind of want to hunt this guy down and punch him in the face.

[A Red Panda]

What a jerkface! I can handle all the other stupid stuff he's said as it comes down to belief (as stupid as they clearly are!) but to actually say that someone isn't anoerexic because of their size?! WHAT AN IDIOT! Seriously. This person is a psychiatrist?! And they think that?! Can we get that dummy fired? I just cannot comprehend what on earth is going through that pdoc's brain - clearly they need to get their OWN head checked!

And I have nothing at all useful to contribute to this thread. I just was gobsmacked!

Yeah my last pdoc said she didn't believe BP2 existed because she was a "purist"! Asshat more like!!! Funnily enough my current pdoc DOES believe in BP2 and he has been asked to help write the new NICE guidelines for bipolar (used by the NHS so a big deal!) so it shows how much the BP2 disbelievers know!

*Willow*

Also much as I think you pdoc's bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired, you do have to be underweight to be officially diagnosed as currently anorexic, I believe by over 10% underweight, according to diagnostic guidelines. Not trying to be confrontational, nor saying that I agree with that criteria.

*Willow*

[Eliza Jane]

I feel like he's playing a mind game. "oh, you want off your meds? Okay, you must not be that sick then. You just have problems adjusting to college.". My guess is that he disagreed with your decision to stop meds and that led to his inappropriate behavior.

Just a theory.

Good luck. Hope you are back with someone decent soon.

EJ

[Victoria'smom]

I'm sorry that that PDoc is a jerk at least he's just a temp. Was he thinking the stress of being away from family?

you do have to be underweight to be officially diagnosed as currently anorexic, I believe by over 10% underweight, according to diagnostic guidelines.

I thought that part of the dx went away or at least was no longer a have to similar to no longer requiring stopping of menstrual cycle.

[sugahorse1]

This guy really sounds like a joke - sorry you had to see him

[unlived]

In the future can you (& other BP2 people with the same issue) just tell a new pdoc that you are "bipolar" and leave out the number? Let them figure that part out for themselves?

[comicgeek007]

Originally Posted by ultramar

Sounds like he was maybe diagnosing you with an 'adjustment disorder' (since he mentioned difficulty with adjustment to school)? It sounds like it's not a good fit for you, but for what it's worth, this is the Mayo Clinic info:

Adjustment disorders - MayoClinic.com

The full info is above, below are the symptoms:

Emotional symptoms of adjustment disorders

Signs and symptoms of adjustment disorder may affect how you feel and think about yourself or life, including:

• Sadness
• Hopelessness
• Lack of enjoyment
• Crying spells
• Nervousness
• Thoughts of suicide
• Anxiety
• Worry
• Desperation
• Trouble sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling overwhelmed

Again, for what it's worth. I'm not sure I understand all the 'temp' stuff --is your regular T and pdoc back at school? In any case, you could try to see a different pdoc where you are now or back at school for another opinion.

For the record, I can see why he didn't take your therapist's diagnosis at face value (which doesn't mean his is correct): First, most pdocs want to do their own evaluations, no matter who already diagnosed you, second, therapists (technically) aren't qualified to diagnose. Though I personally think that in many cases, if you've been with a therapist for a good while, they are likely to know you better than your pdoc.

I hope you do well off meds and can get a good (and long-term) therapist who can help you. Whatever's going on, I think a good therapist can be very helpful. In any case, you have your artwork and your show and that's important, that's you, your creations, your work, which no label can take away from you.

My dad and I think although adjustment may have been a factor in the first semester, it's not at all the main issue. The long term people I have are back at school.

Originally Posted by Nessa213

Wait wait wait wait....

Ok first... calling bp2 a "squishy" or a "joke" diagnosis f**king pisses me off. So I already hate this guy.

Second, he not only claims that your issues stem from adjustment to college but he THEN wants you just... go ahead and switch colleges just so that you can go through all this again?? The f**k is that??? (That is, if that were even the case. Which it doesn't sound like it is.)

Third, someone saying "I don't believe in bipolar 2" is like someone saying... "I don't believe in guns"... sorry dude.. they exist... hate to break your little heart. (Yes... I'm stuck on this... it's what I do.)

And finally, to simply LOOK at you and say "oh... you weigh too much to be anorexic" COME ON. I read that and my jaw literally dropped.

I really hate this guy. If it would have been me in your place I would have had to have been restrained. No joke. I kind of want to hunt this guy down and punch him in the face.

Someone pointed out that there may or may not be a requirement that I have to be severely underweight to be actually anorexic, but there are better ways of saying that to someone who has body issues! I barely touched dinner last night because I was so upset bout what asshat said.

Originally Posted by WeepingWillow23

Also much as I think you pdoc's bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired, you do have to be underweight to be officially diagnosed as currently anorexic, I believe by over 10% underweight, according to diagnostic guidelines. Not trying to be confrontational, nor saying that I agree with that criteria.

*Willow*

He could have said he doesn't agree with the diagnosis of anorexia because I don't appear to be underweight enough, be could have said many things. I honestly don't care what label, if any I get for that issue, I just don't want my medical providers calling me fat.

Originally Posted by Eliza Jane

I feel like he's playing a mind game. "oh, you want off your meds? Okay, you must not be that sick then. You just have problems adjusting to college.". My guess is that he disagreed with your decision to stop meds and that led to his inappropriate behavior.

Just a theory.

Good luck. Hope you are back with someone decent soon.

EJ

I didn't tell him I wanted off my meds, though that seems like something he might do had I done that.

Now that my normal T had a 'come to Jesus' talk with my normal pdoc and told him what all had actually been going on, they both think I'm bipolar but were afraid to give me the label just yet.

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

I'm sorry that that PDoc is a jerk at least he's just a temp. Was he thinking the stress of being away from family?

I thought that part of the dx went away or at least was no longer a have to similar to no longer requiring stopping of menstrual cycle.

I THINK that's what he was going for, maybe. But he asn't going to listen to reason that I have family and friends that are close enough they may as well be considered family down at college.

I don't know abut the requirements as I'm not a pdoc. Maybe jerkface is right, maybe he isn't. I was just highly offended by how he said it. Saying I'm not skinny an then going on and on about diet pills and insinuating that I could stand to lose a few pounds... at BEST highly unprofessional.

Originally Posted by unlived

In the future can you (& other BP2 people with the same issue) just tell a new pdoc that you are "bipolar" and leave out the number? Let them figure that part out for themselves?

That's a good idea, thanks!

I've been texting my normal T and she thinks I need a different temp pdoc. I guess I'll experiment with this no-meds thing for a while anyway just to see if I can get by with a little bit of willpower and nothing else.

Despite being irked about asshat, I'm still up and hyper. Racing thoughts and all. :/ Haven't stopped my meds yet because I'm stepping down gradually (because f withdrawal!), even though asshat said I could probably stop cold turkey.

[comicgeek007]

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

what a d-bag. but he took you off your meds, so i guess that's good. if you go crazy at least that will prove there IS something going on not related to college. I used to think bipolar 2 was a BS dx as well until I had to really look at my life and admit something was wrong. however I am not a pdoc.

I hope med-free works for you!

If I go crazy, though, my dad might keep me out of college fo a semester or year - something I REALLY do not want.

[Victoria'smom]

If your dad gets really concerned maybe you can take your APs as needed? So he doesn't keep you out of school. Definitely look for another temp doc just in case. How's your temp t going?

[comicgeek007]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

If your dad gets really concerned maybe you can take your APs as needed? So he doesn't keep you out of school. Definitely look for another temp doc just in case. How's your temp t going?

I can try that. I still have some prn zyprexa, too.

Temp t going great. He's very nice and he listens and really wants to find a way to help me, even though I'm only going to see him on a temporary basis.

[Victoria'smom]

That's wonderful!

[sheltielover2013]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

I'm sorry that that PDoc is a jerk at least he's just a temp. Was he thinking the stress of being away from family?

I thought that part of the dx went away or at least was no longer a have to similar to no longer requiring stopping of menstrual cycle.

There is the diagnosis "Anorexia, NOS". The 10% underweight criteria applies specifically to "Anorexia Nervosa". They are different and do have different diagnostic criteria.

[Dylanzmama]

I'm with Nessa213!
Run run run to a 2nd opinion! Like EVERYTHING that goes on with us, it takes time to find the right people for our mental health teams!
Good luck!

[comicgeek007]

Originally Posted by Dylanzmama

I'm with Nessa213!
Run run run to a 2nd opinion! Like EVERYTHING that goes on with us, it takes time to find the right people for our mental health teams!
Good luck!

My Temp T was really upset by how the pdoc treated me and gave my dad a few pdocs for me to try out.