[MyEyes]

Hello everyone, im new here. Sorry for the length.

Ive suffered from depression for over a decade, and was doing somewhat well on prozac before i lost insurance. Ive had diagnoses of depression,anxiety, and ptsd before.

Recently i went to a community mental health center. The person i saw rushed through our session and repeated questions she didnt like my answer to. She told me i was bipolar.

Ive never had mood swings, its consistently low. Isnt that a main requirement to have bipolar? I did tell her i get 4-5 hours of sleep, but its not because im full of energy,im always exhausted during the day from lack of sleep. I have been angry at some things as a reaction but what human hasnt? She asked for previous meds prescribed and though i mentioned prozac being beneficial, she jumped on wellbutrin and told me that was another sign I had bipolar since i was prescribed it before.

I suffer horrible dissociation( i feel like im in a dream sequence 24/7),inability to focus on schoolwork, i feel as if im a passenger in my own body. I stay in my home for months because of anxiety(she chuckled at this). My anxiety causes me to zone out and sometimes give a nonsensical answer to a question that was asked. She told me this is part of psychosis/bipolar.

My next appnt is for 2 months with this same lady. Do i have a reason to think i was falsely diagnosed? I was thinking of requesting another analysis with someone else.

[Blueberrybook]

That's weird about the Wellbutrin because a lot of people are prescribed it, and a lot of them have major depression. I have the dissociation thing too, but I don't believe dissociation alone is psychosis; I think if it gets to be where you can't distinguish reality or you know reality but believe you can fly, that's more psychosis. I dissociate a lot; I think it is because of high stress & anxiety more than BP. Zoning out can happen to anyone, especially if you are not sleeping well at night and/or are having a panic attack or high anxiety. Heck, people zone out driving all the time, and surely they can't all have psychosis. As for psychosis, once I had it happen where I saw and did things in reality but was unsure if what was happening really was reality, and I remember I kept repeating, things like "I'm saying X and I've said it before but I'm not sure if this is real or not." I'm sure others here who have dealt more with psychosis can help you on that end.

My mood often is on the depressive end; I'm told it's mixed now. Though even mixed, I have increased speed of speech, jiggly (can't sit still), racing thoughts besides traits associated with depression like low self-esteem, wishing I were dead, lack of enjoyment in things I used to like to do. When I get mania/hypomania, I have decreased need for sleep (though even then I do not like not sleeping at all), hypersexulity, overspending, starting on tons of projects (lots of them big, particularly when manic), jumping from thing to thing, talking excitedly and over people, unable to wait for a person to finish a sentence or story, negatively impacting relationships, risk-taking (risky driving, jogging at night). I had a diagnosis of major depression 10 years before someone clued in that I was bipolar, but if they had asked some questions different ways and others at all (such as about overspending), they would have diagnosed me with bipolar.

If I were you, I'd request an analysis with someone else. It is not good to have a diagnosis you doubt. Now, if 2, 3, 4 pdocs keep saying you're bipolar, I would be inclined to say, maybe they're onto something. Meds often prescribed for bipolar are Lamictal, Abilify, lithium, even Seroquel, but I was prescribed Wellbutrin diagnosed with major depression and Wellbutrin diagnosed with bipolar. I think bipolar people who need an anti-depressant are often given Wellbutrin because SSRIs often cause bipolar people to shift into mania, not always, but often, and Wellbutrin is not an SSRI.

And especially if a diagnosis feels rushed, I don't know about you, that tends to make me forget to say important points I mean to say and makes me even more anxious

[pirilin]

Some diagnostic you got.
It took more than one hour concentrated only in my answers, to my previous shrink to give me a bipolar diagnosis.

I lied to him. I didn't want to admit I had an addiction problem.
I've been depressed for years. Self medicating.
Of course, I've been manic. Three of four days of partying non stop can do that to you.

I was honest to my actual shrinkette. And she explained, in detail, that nothing you do under the influence, counts for a diagnostic.

She also "downgraded" me from a 1 to a 2. She couldn't "see" the 1 in my eyes.
But still bipolar. Years of abuse do that too.

I have MDD, not bipolar. Since I don't do anything, not even a night cap, I haven't been manic.
I'm a hyper person by nature. Sorry. Not hypowhatever.
Or I'm depressed. Last one took three years off my life.

I'd rather be VERY manic than depressed.

Don't trust that ignorant person.
If you feel compelled to get a serious diagnostic, go to a serious professional.
Ideally more than one. They all think differently.
Psych "doctors" are more quakery than anything else.
That's why they don't get respect from the other "doctors".

As you can see, I don't trust doctors at all. I sleep with one every night I'm home.

Good luck. Cheers.

[Wild Coyote]

Hi!

Welcome to PC!

I hope you will find the information and the support you may be seeking.
Please jump in and make yourself at home here!

I hope to see you around the forums.


WC

[Wild Coyote]

Diagnosis can be tricky.

In the past, my diagnosis has been Severe Atypical Depression, treatment-resistant.

My current diagnosis is BP II.

It's one thing for a practitioner to say: I think you might have BP illness, as opposed to saying: you do definitely have BP.

It usually takes time to sort out the most correct diagnosis; this cannot be done in one visit. That said, providers often use a provisional diagnosis, one under which to submit billing, until a more accurate diagnosis is made.


WC

It sounds like you felt disrespected in your meeting so i think you should ask for another doctor. In a job mentoring program i got a man i felt mismatched with and asked for someone else and got a wonderful, charismatic woman. I was glad i asked for a change. If she's chuckling at your statements and rushing you it's a sign that things are not gonna work out. It's so important to get a proper diagnosis. Best of luck!

[Nammu]

You need at least one episode of mania of a two week duration for bipolar I and an extended period of hypomania with or without agitation for bipolar II sounds like she's on the fad wagon, bipolar is the current " it" diagnosis. I'd ask for a different pdoc. Just being on a medicine doesn't make a diagnosis especially since the med you reported as having been most benefit was a different one.

[MyEyes]

Originally Posted by Blueberrybook

That's weird about the Wellbutrin because a lot of people are prescribed it, and a lot of them have major depression. I have the dissociation thing too, but I don't believe dissociation alone is psychosis; I think if it gets to be where you can't distinguish reality or you know reality but believe you can fly, that's more psychosis. I dissociate a lot; I think it is because of high stress & anxiety more than BP. Zoning out can happen to anyone, especially if you are not sleeping well at night and/or are having a panic attack or high anxiety. Heck, people zone out driving all the time, and surely they can't all have psychosis. As for psychosis, once I had it happen where I saw and did things in reality but was unsure if what was happening really was reality, and I remember I kept repeating, things like "I'm saying X and I've said it before but I'm not sure if this is real or not." I'm sure others here who have dealt more with psychosis can help you on that end.

My mood often is on the depressive end; I'm told it's mixed now. Though even mixed, I have increased speed of speech, jiggly (can't sit still), racing thoughts besides traits associated with depression like low self-esteem, wishing I were dead, lack of enjoyment in things I used to like to do. When I get mania/hypomania, I have decreased need for sleep (though even then I do not like not sleeping at all), hypersexulity, overspending, starting on tons of projects (lots of them big, particularly when manic), jumping from thing to thing, talking excitedly and over people, unable to wait for a person to finish a sentence or story, negatively impacting relationships, risk-taking (risky driving, jogging at night). I had a diagnosis of major depression 10 years before someone clued in that I was bipolar, but if they had asked some questions different ways and others at all (such as about overspending), they would have diagnosed me with bipolar.

If I were you, I'd request an analysis with someone else. It is not good to have a diagnosis you doubt. Now, if 2, 3, 4 pdocs keep saying you're bipolar, I would be inclined to say, maybe they're onto something. Meds often prescribed for bipolar are Lamictal, Abilify, lithium, even Seroquel, but I was prescribed Wellbutrin diagnosed with major depression and Wellbutrin diagnosed with bipolar. I think bipolar people who need an anti-depressant are often given Wellbutrin because SSRIs often cause bipolar people to shift into mania, not always, but often, and Wellbutrin is not an SSRI.

And especially if a diagnosis feels rushed, I don't know about you, that tends to make me forget to say important points I mean to say and makes me even more anxious

Thank you! She did prescribe me wellbutrin, seroquel, and vistaril. I definitely think ill request another session with someone, i really felt she was taking some of my symptoms, specifically anxiety,very lightly and treated it with little importance when to me thats my biggest hindrance to living a 'normal' life..i do recognize some of my behavior in yours, the walking at night in particular..but idk if that's due to anxiety, im terrified to go out during the day when theres more people,and i usually walk to cool down. I have failed at school multiple times that I tried, and fired from 20+jobs, from a no call,no show(anxiety). Now im not too sure..i guess its the 'mood swings' part that im really hung up on, i thought that was a hallmark to be BP, and i feel like 99% of the time im pretty mellow. Ill definitely request a new person to make sure

[MyEyes]

Originally Posted by pirilin

Some diagnostic you got.
It took more than one hour concentrated only in my answers, to my previous shrink to give me a bipolar diagnosis.

I lied to him. I didn't want to admit I had an addiction problem.
I've been depressed for years. Self medicating.
Of course, I've been manic. Three of four days of partying non stop can do that to you.

I was honest to my actual shrinkette. And she explained, in detail, that nothing you do under the influence, counts for a diagnostic.

She also "downgraded" me from a 1 to a 2. She couldn't "see" the 1 in my eyes.
But still bipolar. Years of abuse do that too.

I have MDD, not bipolar. Since I don't do anything, not even a night cap, I haven't been manic.
I'm a hyper person by nature. Sorry. Not hypowhatever.
Or I'm depressed. Last one took three years off my life.

I'd rather be VERY manic than depressed.

Don't trust that ignorant person.
If you feel compelled to get a serious diagnostic, go to a serious professional.
Ideally more than one. They all think differently.
Psych "doctors" are more quakery than anything else.
That's why they don't get respect from the other "doctors".

As you can see, I don't trust doctors at all. I sleep with one every night I'm home.

Good luck. Cheers.

Thank you! And ha I dont blame you for not trusting them! I am so sorry for the negative experience you've had with seeking help. I honestly did kind of feel that she was coaxing the answers she'd prefer to hear vs what i actually said. Id answer her question and she'd repeatedly asked if i was certain, then rephrase the question once or twice. She also asked if anyone in my family had bipolar, and i casually mentioned my mother is probably an undiagnosed one-my mother has never been to see psychiatrist, this was only my unprofessional opinion- but she used this as further proof of my bipolar diagnosis, saying its hereditary. Ill definitely seek a second opinion.

[MyEyes]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

Diagnosis can be tricky.

In the past, my diagnosis has been Severe Atypical Depression, treatment-resistant.

My current diagnosis is BP II.

It's one thing for a practitioner to say: I think you might have BP illness, as opposed to saying: you do definitely have BP.

It usually takes time to sort out the most correct diagnosis; this cannot be done in one visit. That said, providers often use a provisional diagnosis, one under which to submit billing, until a more accurate diagnosis is made.


WC

Thank you, i am thinking of giving it time and maybe waiting out the 2 months, but im not sure..

Originally Posted by whatever2013

It sounds like you felt disrespected in your meeting so i think you should ask for another doctor. In a job mentoring program i got a man i felt mismatched with and asked for someone else and got a wonderful, charismatic woman. I was glad i asked for a change. If she's chuckling at your statements and rushing you it's a sign that things are not gonna work out. It's so important to get a proper diagnosis. Best of luck!

Thanks! I just might ask for a change. While i do empathize with her having a long day of patients, i did feel rushed..she was complaining about not having time to eat lunch yet and the amount of people she'd have to see after me..i hope that didnt influence her diagnosis..

Originally Posted by Nammu

You need at least one episode of mania of a two week duration for bipolar I and an extended period of hypomania with or without agitation for bipolar II sounds like she's on the fad wagon, bipolar is the current " it" diagnosis. I'd ask for a different pdoc. Just being on a medicine doesn't make a diagnosis especially since the med you reported as having been most benefit was a different one.

Thank you. I did find it odd she disregarded how I was doing on prozac, and prescribed wellbutrin instead. I feel like the only things she used to diagnose me with bipolar was me talking about my insomnia, and mentioning my (unprofessional,untrained) opinion that my mom might have bipolar after being asked about family history. More than anything i felt she just wanted to give me a diagnosis, write a script and send me on my way, so she'd be able to go home asap.