[Billtrick]

I am having trouble with my psychiartrist, but the medications I have been put on have left me feeling apathetic, along with along list of other difficulties. Coherent thought, depression, cognitive troubles. I have shared this quite a bit in other places on the website. I honestly have nothing else to say about it. So a month ago I was told by my Pdoc that she didn't think I had Bipolar but was going to proceed with Bipolar medication. Yesterday she said that I was diagnosed with Bipolar. But I have never had hypomania or mania. If anything I fit the Dysthymia diagnoses. But I don't even know how to approach the situation anymore, I am too tired and I have trouble speaking, I don't make sense to myself anymore. Can give me some sort of something? I am quite desperate and i don't have anywhere else to turn. sigh.....

[raspberrytorte]

Your doctor has me feeling confused. She said that you're not bipolar, but than diagnosed you as that? Are the bipolar meds working for you? It sounds like they're not? Maybe you should get a second opinion.

[dshantel]

I would definitely be getting a new psychiatrist. That doesn't seem right at all, telling you that you aren't something but medicating you for it anyhow.

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[Hopeful Camel]

If my pdoc or therapist starts sounding to me like they aren't making sense, that is my cue to go find someone else. Trust your instincts. I don't think diagnoses are the be all and end all. I think getting the right medication to treat your symptoms is the most important thing.

I know I've had a string of different diagnosis. Some days I feel more PTSD and other days I feel more Bipolar. What matters, though, is that I get feeling better.

I hope you can find someone who listens to you carefully enough to make a good diagnosis and get you on the right meds. You deserve no less. Hang in there.

[Crazy Hitch]

Hang in there!

It really sounds to me like you've had a rough time, honestly.

I can't really say what is best for you.

You must do what is best for your own mental health; regardless of what you choose; just know that we would support you.

[if it were me; personally; I'd probably have a second opinon from a brand new pdoc; although; I ackowledge you already feel like you've run around in circles enough]

[Sinking Feeling]

I think bipolar is a "catch all" for some pdocs when they are not sure what the heck is wrong lol. I read like bipolar is suppose to be rare like only 8% or 10% of the population, but read about so many people being diagnosed with some form of BP. The numbers just don't add up.

if you only get depressed, that's not bipolar. I don't like the term bipolar, I like the older term manic depressive better as it better identifies it for me. You can't be bipolar with out the manic part.

[RockyMtnHigh]

Billtrick, Feel your confusion. My experience, if it helps. First, went to a therapist who seemed too quick to diagnose BP. From there was referred to a top tier psychiastrist after a few crazy times. Were they just 'me' being 'me'? Were they manic from a medical point of view? Dr. wouldn't tell me if I was BP for sure for a couple of YEARS. He said that it's a tricky diagnosis and shared your stats that only a small percentage of the pop was truly BP. He also put me on meds right away and I also had the side affects. Short term memory loss, trouble speacking, lethargic. I stuck with them, I trusted him. He was not wishy-washy, as it sounds like your dr. is. Only after about 2 years did I get him to divulge that I was most likely--90% BP2. He said it's tricky and needs monitoring and constant attention and I would need that for the rest of my life.

Moral of the story, my recommendation to echo those above, find a Dr. that you trust. If this is a marriage of sorts between you and your Dr., you MUST have faith. Though I will also say TRUST BUT VERIFY, which you are doing on this forum and so am I. If you have to date a couple of Dr.'s before getting married, by all means do so. It may mean dating a few, but if this is the rest of your life and telling your story over and over, it's worth it.

Hope this was helpful and good luck!

Be aware it is overdiagnosed and over medicated. The health system is no longer there to look for the root of your problem - its medicate and move them on. Happening everywhere now.

[Billtrick]

Psychiatric Diagnoses:* Labels, Not Explanations - Mad In America

I couldn't quite follow it entirely under my current medicated state. But I think it's worth reading.

i would get a new pdoc too

[raspberrytorte]

Originally Posted by Billtrick

Psychiatric Diagnoses:* Labels, Not Explanations - Mad In America

I couldn't quite follow it entirely under my current medicated state. But I think it's worth reading.

What meds are you on?

Originally Posted by Billtrick

Psychiatric Diagnoses:* Labels, Not Explanations - Mad In America

I couldn't quite follow it entirely under my current medicated state. But I think it's worth reading.

Personally I don't agree with this paper. There are things that occur in the brain of a schizophrenic that do not happen in the brain of a person with out. That explains the symptoms.

Areas of their brain do not function in the typical way.

This is from NIMH · Schizophrenia

"Different brain chemistry and structure. Scientists think that an imbalance in the complex, interrelated chemical reactions of the brain involving the neurotransmitters dopamine and glutamate, and possibly others, plays a role in schizophrenia. Neurotransmitters are substances that allow brain cells to communicate with each other. Scientists are learning more about brain chemistry and its link to schizophrenia.

Also, in small ways the brains of people with schizophrenia look different than those of healthy people. For example, fluid-filled cavities at the center of the brain, called ventricles, are larger in some people with schizophrenia. The brains of people with the illness also tend to have less gray matter, and some areas of the brain may have less or more activity.

Studies of brain tissue after death also have revealed differences in the brains of people with schizophrenia. Scientists found small changes in the distribution or characteristics of brain cells that likely occurred before birth. Some experts think problems during brain development before birth may lead to faulty connections. The problem may not show up in a person until puberty. The brain undergoes major changes during puberty, and these changes could trigger psychotic symptoms. Scientists have learned a lot about schizophrenia, but more research is needed to help explain how it develops."

[Happy Camper]

I don't know, I've seen multiple sources claim that non schizophrenics can have scans that closely resemble schizophrenic brains, yet lack most or all symptoms (although these typically aren't completely normal people, they don't meet the criteria).

The problem is that exact relationships between the symptoms and the observable abnormalities have not been made at all, and that is not good enough to be considered of end-user scientific or medical value (beyond research).

Beast case scenario I've seen is with neuropsychiatrists that can more accurately prescribe medications based on scans due to being more informed---still, this amounts to slightly more "educated guesses."

I am not discussing the medications. I am saying that there are organic reasons for the symptoms of schizophrenics and people with psychosis. There are chemical and physical difference in the brains and bodies.

These symptoms do not just appear out of no- where.

Yes therapy and behavior modification can help some mitigate some of the symptoms, but these are physical disease. As physical as heart disease, for example.

NIMH · Bipolar Disorder

Can some people help themselves without meds? Sure. But many can not.

I just went off meds recently and had a full-blown manic episode. I was caffeine free, alcohol free, exercising and eating very healthy in a sunny climate.

I am now back on my meds and coming down.

[Happy Camper]

Yeah I remember vaguely that some guy in the 1700s could tell if he was holding a schiozphrenic brain or a normal one just because the disease can alter it so much.