[Nanimani]

I saw my chart as my primary doctor's office and has bipolar 2 disorder as dx.

I was told once when I was 14 I had bipolar disorder by a doctor who was known to just throw around the dx. I don't ask my psych about it because I will feel weird.

It is known that bipolar disorder is in my family.

I'm not even 100% what the disorder involves. People make jokes about "oh *insert name* is so bipolar" (you know them jokes usually involves someone getting angry randomly)

I read some stuff on it, but I don't know if it describes me. I just feel depressed at times honestly that's it. I got my depression down for two years now with two different antidepressants.

I feel a whole lot better. I was just thinking about things and decided to come on here to talk about it because I learned to not talk about it with other people or they get creeped out.

Your treatment seems to be helping a lot. Why not focus on the treatment instead of the label? IMO, we should treat the symptoms, not the label. I understand your frustration with the diagnosis, though. You can always get a 2nd opinion if you want to see if bipolar 2 fits you. The person who's giving the 2nd opinion can also explain "bipolar" to you and you can have a good, intelligent discussion about it.

btw, welcome to the forum; I see you're new

[Nanimani]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

Your treatment seems to be helping a lot. Why not focus on the treatment instead of the label? IMO, we should treat the symptoms, not the label. I understand your frustration with the diagnosis, though. You can always get a 2nd opinion if you want to see if bipolar 2 fits you. The person who's giving the 2nd opinion can also explain "bipolar" to you and you can have a good, intelligent discussion about it.

btw, welcome to the forum; I see you're new

You're right about not worrying about the label. I was just thinking about things.
Treatment for me works for sure now. I'm happy for that! <3 Thank you!

I would actually recommend that you do talk to your psychiatrist about your diagnosis. If you were diagnosed with a physical illness vs. a mental one would you ask your doctor details about that? If not, it can be harmful in the long run.

If you feel that the bipolar diagnosis was made too casually, that is something you might want to work out. I don't believe it is good to be diagnosed with something you don't have. But it is good to be diagnosed with something you do. It's true that mental illnesses do carry a stigma sometimes, but let us not take steps backwards by denying things as a means of perpetuating it.

If you don't know what questions to ask, you can find suggestions online. Ones like what symptoms led to the diagnosis of bipolar vs. unipolar depression (or other), or are my medications typical for people with bipolar disorder, are a start.

Add on: I kind of disagree with the idea of not knowing a diagnosis, especially if it's one like bipolar disorder. Diagnoses can tag along with you and possibly someday end up in "hands that you might rather they not". If they are accurate, that's one thing, but if not, it's another.

[Wild Coyote]

Welcome to PC!

I agree with the above posts, re: talking with your doctor.

This site might also be helpful: PsychEducation | Treating the Mood Spectrum

I hope to see you around the forums.


WC

[wiretwister]

welcome ... great people here ... my pdoc and I fought for years on my dx ... he finally convinced me ... and I am not going to tell you ... BP1 ... well maybe I will ....