Any advice?

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?

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

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.

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.

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.