[kris102433]

After a pretty rough start to the new year, the therapist I have been working with for over two years finally told me she suspected that I was dealing with bipolar II. But the psychiatrist I have just started seeing is not so convinced and thinks it could also be depression and anxiety. The dueling opinions are really starting to mess with my head and I'm tired of feeling so confused by what's been going on with me.

This is more of a rant than anything else I suppose, but I would be curious to know if anyone else can relate.

[*Beth*]

Hi kris, welcome. I believe that many of us can relate to your situation. For many years I was diagnosed with "agitated depression" - which essentially meant an anxious, energized depression...what we'd now call mixed-state bipolar disorder. To me, not having a clear diagnosis is destabilizing.


Severe anxiety is frequently an aspect of bipolar disorder. Are you on any medication?

[Victoria'smom]

I've had so many Dx until I found a treatment team that finally agreed. Who do you believe? Do your dr and therapist share notes.

[Soupe du jour]

Welcome, kris!

I can understand how you feel. Many wish to get to the bottom of what they are experiencing. As Miguel'smom asked, it would be good to know if your therapist will be communicating with your psychiatrist. If you want that, you may need to sign some kind of release for your therapist to do so. That could be helpful for your psychiatrist, who is just getting to know you. I think that if your psychiatrist jumped to a firm conclusion about a diagnosis, that it would be unwise. Some psychiatrists like to see a switch from depression to hypomania/mania before firmly diagnosing bipolar disorder.

BethRags made a good point that mixed states can often confuse doctors. The line between depression with anxiety and bipolar mixed state can be fuzzy. As risky as it can be, starting off with an antidepressant alone can help make a bipolar diagnosis more certain, with a switch. I guess as long as your psychiatrist is carefully monitoring your reactions to your meds, a change can be made (including diagnosis), quickly.

[Nammu]

Now days many are putting unipolar on one end of a continuum with bipolar 2 somewhere in the middle and bipolar 1 on the other end. So it’s not so cut and dried as it once was. Anxiety is a co-occurring condition. Many Ts are not trained in diagnostics but pdoc are.

[MickeyCheeky]

So Sorry that you're feeling this way! i agree with all the other wise and wonderful posters. Definitely talk to your doctor and/or therapist about how you're feeling. It is your right to speak up if you're feeling confused. Sending many safe, warm hugs to BOTH you, @kirs102433, your Family, your Friends and ALL of your Loved Ones! Keep fighting and keep rocking NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, OK?!

[megmeg9]

I'm sorry you feel this way. I've also had so many diagnoses but in my case it was me who didn't agree with my therapist. So I went to get a second opinion from another psychiatrist who diagnosed me with BPD. Finally. And that's the only diagnosis I agree with. Everything I "had" before (anxiety, depression, panic disorder, excessive paranoia, ...) just felt wrong. I am so thankful I have the right therapist now (the one who diagnosed me with BPD). And since I've been diagnosed with borderline, I really feel better because now I can finally say: "It is not my fault. I am not making this all up!". Maybe you could try asking another psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist about their opinion. Good luck

[wolftrap]

Hi kris, when my pdoc of 14 years and my new therapist began to communicate (four years ago) my level of care improved dramatically. I urge you to pursue this path. I agree with others that new pdocs can jump to conclusions too quickly. I found that it is worthwhile to look for another if you think a doc is not a good fit.