[MuddyBoots]

I'm just curious as to what are other common co-occuring disorders or what are common misdiagnoses.

If you receive multiple dx's from different doctors, how do you know which are accurate or not? I mean, I don't expect us to know more than the experts, but the "experts" sometimes give conflicting information.

I've been questioning the validity and accuracy of my diagnosis these past few days. I went through a lot of old paperwork this morning and my dx has changed around a lot (psychotic depression, BPD, schizophrenia, possible ADHD, etc) and then my drug use has certainly impacted my symptoms.

Just wondering. Have a nice day

[quietlylost]

It's not uncommon for diagnoses to change, and also for diagnoses to overlap. There are lots of symptoms in common, and it's up to each provider to get a good history. I've had my diagnosis change over the years, but currently it is Bipolar Disorder and ADHD. I take medication for both, and the diagnoses seem to make sense for me based on my experience and history. In general, I feel that a diagnosis is helpful if it either helps guide your treatment or gives you a sense of understanding and control with how to proceed in your recovery. It can be hard when diagnoses change because it's easy to feel like your definition as a person and your identity are also in flux.

ADHD and Bipolar can be common, though not always. The symptoms can be similar, but the timeline and settings of the symptoms can be very different. For example, impulsivity or racing thoughts with ADHD are not the same as Bipolar racing thoughts for me. I find that being on medication for both helps overall, and I feel that my mood has improved beyond what my Bipolar medication alone was doing.

In the end, it's important to get treatment for all diagnoses at the same time if possible. But finding the correct diagnosis is a process and it evolves over time.

[sarahsweets]

When you say BPD do you mean bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder?

[MuddyBoots]

borderline personality disorder. Just found out today that I was dx'd with it like 6 years ago in some paperwork, idk if that stuck though. The only dx I know of right now is schizoaffective disorder bipolar time but BPD actually kinda makes more sense now that I think about it.

[*Beth*]

I'm dx'ed with bipolar disorder and complex-ptsd. Although I have those usual doubts that most people have about the BD, I know deep inside that it's the correct dx. I haven't had any pdocs contest or change it.

c-ptsd is correct. I've always been diagnosed with it.

The professionals seem to have a more difficult time with diagnosing when substance use is involved.

[MuddyBoots]

I'm trying to get clean, I really am just had a slip up these past few days. No more.

[Blue_Bird]

I have schizoaffective disorder bipolar type, panic disorder/and generalized anxiety disorder, and am recovering from bulimia

[Nammu]

I had bipolar and ptsd but with a lot of work no longer have ptsd and that has helped stabliize my bipolar a lot.

[Victoria'smom]

I've been Dx with everything under the sun. Currently SzA bipolar, ED tendencies. I'm getting ready to add trauma to the official Dx.

[Soupe du jour]

Right now, my psychiatrist only has me down as having bipolar type 1, but there was a brief period when I was also given GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) as a secondary diagnosis. Truth is, anxiety issues have come and gone in my life. I wonder if I really ever did have GAD, or if those periods were just my bipolar type 1, but with anxiety as a "feature". There were also times when I had minor issues with a fear of swallowing red meat and a fear of going down to my basement. Again, were they just part of my bipolar disorder or some short-term who knows what?

Early during the worst years of my bipolar disorder I was also given an alcohol dependence diagnosis. I'll admit that it was a bad situation and I did detox. Later down the road I got my psychiatrist to downgrade that to "alcohol abuse" (difference pretty minor) and now I feel that I no longer qualify for either of those. In my case, I believe that the alcohol abuse was self-medication of my bipolar disorder. As my bipolar disorder got under control and I learned and applied healthier coping skills, I found I could drink in moderation with no problem. Moderation, or less, is significant. I know that drinking alcohol is bad with my medications, and is bad for my moods, as well.

[Merlin]

I have Bipolar Disorder and Social Phobia. I had C-PTSD, not sure if I still do. Sometimes I look like I have Borderline Personality Disorder, but I don't fully meet the criteria. I think DBT might really help, but I'm not good at going to groups and couldn't now, even if I wanted to because of COVID. I couldn't afford it anyway. The free groups are only offered to those with Borderline.

[sarahsweets]

Originally Posted by Soupe du jour

Early during the worst years of my bipolar disorder I was also given an alcohol dependence diagnosis. I'll admit that it was a bad situation and I did detox. Later down the road I got my psychiatrist to downgrade that to "alcohol abuse" (difference pretty minor) and now I feel that I no longer qualify for either of those. In my case, I believe that the alcohol abuse was self-medication of my bipolar disorder. As my bipolar disorder got under control and I learned and applied healthier coping skills, I found I could drink in moderation with no problem. Moderation, or less, is significant. I know that drinking alcohol is bad with my medications, and is bad for my moods, as well.

I am not trying to imply that an alcohol problem is a guarantee but it is significant. Regardless if it is self medication or not it is still a problem. Because of the meds you are on do you feel you can obstain possibly forever?

[Fuzzybear]

CPTSD (If I do have elements of BPD, I doubt it, I could not go to a group anyway bc of ****....)

[Trippin2.0]

I have comorbid DXs, never been incorrectly DXd,.
Every Dr / T I've seen agreed with the last (approximately 8-10 professionals in total, over the years due to changing service providers as well as being interviewed by a panel during IP stays)

The only change I encountered was my BP bring "upgraded" to type 1 a little over 2 years ago.

BP1
BPD
OCPD
GA with sprinkles of Panic Attacks.

They suspected I had IED at one point, but we chalked it up to normal baaaad temper that has the possibility to get out of control.... So DBT and Risperdal sorted that problem out.

[Soupe du jour]

Originally Posted by sarahsweets

I am not trying to imply that an alcohol problem is a guarantee but it is significant. Regardless if it is self medication or not it is still a problem. Because of the meds you are on do you feel you can obstain possibly forever?

I haven't gotten drunk for years and never intend to at any time during the remainder of my life. One drink, some days, works OK for me.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I have PTSD, GAD and mild OCD along with BP1

[HALLIEBETH87]

Heres a list of what I’ve been diagnosed with since 2004 when I was 17-32
Major depression, borderline, anxiety, alexithymia, panic attacks, bipolar two with rapid cycling and mixed features, bipolar one, generalized anxiety, panic d/o, bipolar one, ptsd, self-injury behavior, social phobia,

My current up to date diagnoses:

Schizoaffective bipolar type, generalized anxiety, panic disorder and borderline (which is mostly under control)

I feel my dxs are correct now

[Coolbreeze74]

I have PTSD, panic disorder and bipolar 1. The panic disorder is new. Since last October. That's what's effecting most right now. I've been pretty stable concerning bipolar for about 3 yrs.

[Tryingtobehappy5]

Im diagnosed with Bipolar 1, BPD and alcohol use disorder. Im not sure about anything but bipolar but the drs seem pretty sure about the others as does my therapist so maybe it is all right. I dont know.