[Perfectly_Imperfect]

Hey everyone. I have an appointment with my psychiatrist tomorrow. I scheduled this apointment because I think I might be bipolar. Do any of you have any advice of how to bring this up with my psychiatrist?

[Cthomas]

keep a list of how you are feeling. journal if possible. (obviously too late if seeing T tomorrow) but just keep a mental note of every feeling you have. it will help. there will be a question period. ususally that is how they diagnose it.

Good luck to you. sorry so short. im at work..(and im expected to do so....jerks!)

Good luck at the docs,

Colleen

[Schatje]

Just be honest. It was a daunting process for me to think that I would have to rattle off all my symptoms on command, I was afraid I would forget something, but that wasn't how it was at all. My doc asked a lot of questions and although they allowed for elaboration they gave me a starting point. It might help to make a list of all the symptoms you have or you can remember you have and take it with you.

The first appointment is the hardest, at least for me it was. I had been diagnosed for almost 3 years before I was able to go to a psychiatrist, insurance reasons, so it wasn't the big shock of being diagnosed that was difficult. I think it was having everything dredged up. Then the humiliating thing was that I cried. I blame the fact that I was pregnant for that one.

Anyway, don't be embarrassed, be honest, and try and be through.

[3kittycat]

I agree with the previous posters. I went being inadequately treated for my depression because I thought the pdoc should recognize bipolar even though I had never appeared in their office hypomanic. Later after being correctly diagnosed with I realized I had some major ADD symptoms. I wrote them down and brought the list to my pdoc who agreed with me and I now have it treated.

My suggestion is that you create a list of behaviors and feelings you have had when you've thought you may be hypomanic. The depressive part is usually better recognized. Was there every a period of time or times when you felt extremely sexual? Spent a lot of money? Been extremely agitated for no reason? Had a lot of energy? Etc. Write it down and read it off if you need for your pdoc.
Good luck. Keep us posted.

[RozG]

Hi

I personally think you should just be outright honest and say you have concerns you may be bipolar, then at least it's out in the open and can be discussed/looked at. I've always found that best but it depends how comfortable you are with that. Maybe you could write it down and if you're still shy/unsure about it post it to him/her. That's what my T told me coz I'm so shy.

Good luck to you.