[carrie-19]

I've recently been seeing a Dr about my so called "depression". I've had depression for about 7 years at this stage now and gotten diagnoses from multiple sources. But this year from two different senior doctors I've been told actually you don't have depression at all you just have - bad coping skills and (me putting it bluntly) a messed up personality.

I don't know what to do with this information. While part of me obviously thinks diagnoses/labels don't matter, I can't help but think that it really is me that's the problem. I'm not sick at all. It is my fault. But surely part of depression is having bad coping skills etc..
I'm just so confused. I feel like I've been standing in this place for years and now that someone has come up and told nope you're actually standing all the way over here on the map.. I don't know. I feel so stupid

[Rohag]

Hello, Carrie-19!

***sigh*** Three doctors - five opinions... Personally, if 'stupidity' is to be found here, I doubt it's yours.

Regardless of the labels, you still have a set of symptoms that burden and interfere with your life. Did either of these doctors suggest practical steps for you to alleviate your symptoms?

[vlad007]

Sometimes doctors makes things more complicated that they are. My new doctot told me I don't have depression, I have Dysthymia and an Adjustment Disorder. Still don't understand the difference.

[whimsygirl]

Originally Posted by vlad007

Sometimes doctors makes things more complicated that they are. My new doctot told me I don't have depression, I have Dysthymia and an Adjustment Disorder. Still don't understand the difference.

Dysthymia IS a type of depression. Jmo, but if that's really what he ~she said and not possibly a misunderstanding (?) I'd inquire further, or maybe look for a new doctor. And reading up on things is always a good idea, sometimes knowledge really is power. Best wishes ~whimsy

[RJ78]

Yeah, I'm going to echo Rohag - if you have regular symptoms that get in the way of the functioning of your life, then that's what is most important to identify. Have you seen any therapists - not doctors - to discuss this some more?

Good luck!

RJ

[carrie-19]

they did suggest I just continue with my talk therapy. They also said I shouldnt be on any meds. I'm currently on one medication to help me sleep and for anxiety.. As I said, I know labels don't mean anything and it's all about how you're feeling.. I just feel like they're saying you're not sick, get over yourself already..

[eskielover]

The thing is also that as psychology gets the Dx's more defined in a narrower way they are better able to define exactly what they are treating.

I listened to the youtube presentation by the psychologist (or psychiatrist?) that was heading up the DSM-V & they are trying to lessen the people who are Dx'ed because as they were going, almost everyone in the world would have fit into one of the categories for MI.

Honestly, you are better off if you can solve your issues with therapy & not have to take the medication.

The best therapy for learning the skills you are talking about is DBT...much better than talk therapy. I have a psychologist who works with me individually on the DBT skills & also we talk about a lot of things....but am also involved in their DBT group which really is a teaching group for the skills to deal with distress tolerance, emotional regulation, & interpersonal effectiveness along with how to make wise mind decisions in dealing with the problems rather than the skills to get through the difficult times. Best therapy I have ever had & the only kind that has ever worked for me.

I know it's difficult to have seen yourself one way for so long & then have the rug pulled out from under you.....but honestly, we aren't our Dx.....our Dx is just what we have to deal with & getting the skills to deal with those things is so much better than taking meds if at all possible.

I didn't have a choice because I had the worst side effects to all the meds they tried.....figured my body was rejecting them for a reason.....so I refused to continuing to try to find something else after several years of trying.......so for the depressed feelings I do get now, I use the Omega 3 EPA (not the DHA) at 1500mg/day....the DHA is part of it, but the lower amount & it's just good for all around health & memory......so it's win win for me. I do take something to sleep since I have some problems with that.

I know how frustrating it must feel & no matter what you are dealing with, it's a problem if it interfears with your life functioning.....but if you can get better with strictly therapy & the meds weren't doing anything for you anyway......you will be much better off physically also placing your focus on therapy......so it's important to find the right therapy that really WILL help you.

Hope it all works out for you. It took me years (since 1994) to finally get to this place......but I would rather be here than having to be in the hospital every time they wanted to make a med change because it wasn't safe for me to be where there weren't Dr's & medical help close by in case of a really bad reaction.