So the past year my illness has progressed and I've been having a pretty rough time. Bout of psychosis in times of stress, not necessarily in mania, and my previous psychiatrist was kind of whatever about it. I switched to a new psychiatrist and he has me seeing the psychologist once a week now.

I had an appointment today and after 45 minutes of telling him about my last few days and the last couple of months (mania, mixed episodes, uninduced psychosis and just general weird) has asked me if I ever consider the possibility that I was misdiagnosed. Struck me as a strange question for a professional to ask. Why the hell would he ask me that? Isn't that his job to figure out? Or is he feeling me out for whatever reason?

[kaliope]

i dont find it too odd..........i would have loved to been asked that a few times because i thought other stuff was wrong with me that wasnt being treated.

it is actually a compliment that he sees you as intelligent enough to know yourself better than the medical community you have been seeing...lol

I guess it just threw me off as I have never been asked that in the past. I have to see the guy next week and I am already nervous about it. The things he asks seems to really mess with me and I dont know if that is good or bad. never in the past has a psychologist really been able to mentally exhaust me in an hour. I dunno, maybe i needed this.

[Gray Rider]

So what was he hinting at? On another note, I can't get 45+ min with any of them.

[Tucson]

IMO he was feeling you out. He was looking for your reaction. BWDIK

Not a strange question by a new doctor. They will get to know you before making a solid diagnosis. But from what I know of the US system they'll lable you before they give you treatment.

[Victoria'smom]

I got asked that my intake. I said "Yes I think it's scizoaffective?" When I met the pdoc I already had the Dx. Bipolar w/ psychosis. It has stayed that Dx. since. The Dr. isn't comfy with md being off an Anti psychotic.

I wish i knew what he was hinting at…..it was a weird session that really messed with my head...

[Victoria'smom]

Well... He wants you to be in control of your treatment and that means having a say in the dx.

I'm not someone that is a mental health professional, so I feel my input is obsolete. Sometimes i think there is nothing wrong with me. I could tell him anything if I wanted. How is that helpful?

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Well... He wants you to be in control of your treatment and that means having a say in the dx.

I run my treatment program. A pdoc is just a tool to get the meds and properly regulate its use. I know what drug does what to my body. I control what goes in my mouth.

Originally Posted by AlwaysChanging2

I run my treatment program. A pdoc is just a tool to get the meds and properly regulate its use. I know what drug does what to my body. I control what goes in my mouth.

As do I. I'm not taking anything that I dont choose to. I already refused a drug as I didnt like the side effects listed. I have say in my treatment. I just can't read this new doctor and am unfamiliar with his ways. It's not even about meds right now, its about finding out everything that may require treatment. And also, this was an apointment with a psychologist, not a psychiatrist.. He has no say so on medications. He there simply for diagnosis.

[wheredidthepartygo]

i think it sounds like a question that would help open some people up and get them talking
wish i could find one that didn't treat me like i've never read a book

I suppose I could be seeing this as a good thing. I very well may after I fully process the appointment today.

He was just feeling you out to see what you think about your treatment. Only you know you. It seems like an innocent enuff question, to have you rate your care to see where you stand on your diagnosis. Sometimes patients holds things back so he asks the hard questions. I think your reading too much into it. Let us know how it plays out.

Originally Posted by AlwaysChanging2

He was just feeling you out to see what you think about your treatment. Only you know you. It seems like an innocent enuff question, to have you rate your care to see where you stand on your diagnosis. Sometimes patients holds things back so he asks the hard questions. I think your reading too much into it. Let us know how it plays out.

Thanks, and you are right. I am probably reading to much into it. it's honestly something I have never been asked before. And I will let you know how it plays how. I have an appointment next monday. Will probably be the last of the few that I have had with this psychologist. Hopefully he will at least be able to advise on a plan that will fully stabilize me.

[venusss]

Originally Posted by ChaoticInsanity

I'm not someone that is a mental health professional, so I feel my input is obsolete. Sometimes i think there is nothing wrong with me. I could tell him anything if I wanted. How is that helpful?

Because you are expert on yourself. You input is important, because this involves you. It's you who will deal with the treatment, not your doctor. He will go home and live his life. So be grateful you get somebody who actually sees your opinion as valid. Too many "crazies don't matter, they are crazy" doctors out there.

[onionknight]

You've really made this psychologist out to be quite mysterious! I sort of want to meet him...

I was recently asked if anyone ever suggested I had bipolar. This was from the psychiatrist who a few sentences later, irregardless of my evasive response, told me I did have bipolar.

[unlived]

Maybe they thought what you were describing could be something else not just bipolar. Diagnosis is rarely that straight forward

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[Curiosity77]

I think it's nice that he asked your opinion, because you know yourself best. Most patients have a lot of information about illnesses from online, and they may pick things up in themselves that the professionals miss. Also, he might be checking how you self identify, what kinds of labels or descriptors you prefer to use. Also he could be checking your level of insight. But regardless, he wants your opinion, and that's really good.

[Imah]

I also don't find it an odd question. Rather, I would explore his reasons.

It opens the patient up to sharing what they feel about their illness, and their diagnosis.

It doesn't mean they are saying they believe you are misdiagnosed. He was asking you for your thoughts.

I would start my next session telling them how it threw me for a loop, how I obsessed over that question, how I shared on psych central.

One of the things that happens to me (to us?) is we have so many emotions happening at once - especially when we get bowled over - that we need to slow everything down to filter through them, to get a handle on ourselves and regain stability.

I am very direct, and I believe in being totally honest with my doctors.

Lastly, my psychiatrist dealt with my meds, but my psychologist dealt with my emotions. She said once that she couldn't treat bipolar since it is treated with meds. But she had other things to focus on. I don't know if thats for insurance reasons - or if its just okay for psychologists to treat us too. I mean, so much happens in our life because of the bipolar, that we need someone to talk to about all the crazy shtuff.

It sounds like he may think you have a different diagnosis than bipolar and was just broaching the subject by asking you if YOU thought you might have a different diagnosis. Sounds like he was recognizing that a patient may very well have his or her own opinion about a correct diagnosis. I'm sure he will develop an opinion if he hasn't already.

[Terabithia]

If his asking you this question is the only thing that bothered you, if it were me I'd give him a chance, but if the whole session didn't feel right to you, trust your instincts.

[Lmt2292]

First I was diagnosed depressed then ocd then bipolar and ocd now bipolar ocd and depressed haha

[Pikku Myy]

It took 20 years for my bp1 diagnosis to be correctly identified. Believe it was mainly because I was not cycling so radically nor rapidly. As long as my symptoms were treated and it worked; from anxiety, ocd, pstd, MDD, and finally to full manic mode several times this past year. I was fine with the changes.

I would look at it as a positive notion that your Dr is actually asking for your input. I know it can be frustrating process.