[lost_lover]

I like having a name to my condition, it just makes me feel like it is more under control. Years ago I was diagnosed as bipolar but I hear voices and some other stuff not necessarily associated with bipolar. Since I started seeing this doctor she has implied I have schizophrenia and every medication change I have had has been the dosage to treat schizophrenia, not bipolar. Thing is she won’t just flat out give me a diagnosis. I know there is an aspect of subjectiveness when it comes to mental health but she could say it looks like I am dealing with X. From the treatments I thought it might be schizoaffective but I am honestly just guessing.

[Travelinglady]

I'm not sure--and maybe she isn't either? Have you come out directly and said, "So, what's my official diagnosis?"

[Loose Screw x 2]

I have a similar issue with my own Doctor. She put me on Olanzapine (Zyprexa) back in 2012 but, didn't say what it was for so, I figured it was just for my nerves then, later found out on my own that it was an antipsychotic and later on a much later visit that it was for the schizophrenia but, didn't bother to tell me what type of schizophrenia and just recently while doing research learned that it's actually paranoid schizophrenia as the definition hits the nail right on the head about what I have been putting up with for years! I can understand not wanting to worry a patient with "You have this, that and other..." but, it would be nice to know exactly what is wrong so, that it's easier to deal with. I agree with the OP. Not being told what all is going on doesn't seem right.

[Mountaindewed]

I deal with a lot of stuff that doesn’t make sense to me. Like delusions and paranoia and weird thoughts. My doctor says I’m not bipolar though. Or psychotic. Both my therapist and him tell me I’m fine and don’t really take my concerns seriously. If I bring up a concern their response is usually “are you googling your symptoms?” And since I work and seem “totally fine” I really don’t get much help from them except they are lowering my meds. Which I’m doing ok with, but I’d like to get a little bit more support and answers.

I’m pretty much on my own.

I personally think I might be in the schizophrenia family, but hell they will never believe it.

I was told one time I wouldn’t be told my diagnosis because I would then act that way.

[lost_lover]

I am kind of afraid to flat out ask what my diagnosis is. My physical health is not that great but they cannot pinpoint what is wrong, I really don’t want to hear another ‘we don’t know’ about my mental health. The diagnosis of schizophrenia also does not sit well with me. I never really believed my bipolar diagnosis I remember even asking a couple doctors if I was being diagnosed at bipolar because it seemed to be the go to diagnosis at the time.

Schizophrenia but sits weird with me because my (half) sister’s father has severe schizophrenia, while my father, despite being a weird guy, does not have any serious mental health issues...he is so uninformed about the topic he recently asked me how long I have to take these meds before I am cured. If anyone has schizophrenia it should be my sister, not me. I far from wish any hellish mental illness on my sister but she is the one genetically predispositions.

Currently I am holding on the the schizoaffctive possibility because my reaction to antidepressants without a mood stabilizer is exactly the bipolar definition. I first started getting manic from antidepressants when I was 12 after an inpatient stay. Now I am 29 though and right about the age schizophrenia starts showing.

[tecomsin]

Psychiatrist are generally treating what they see as the most problematic symptoms. Zyprexa, which is what I take, is used for Bipolar, Bipolar with psychosis, Schizoaffective, Schizophrenia and sometimes even with Depression. If you have ever been manic and you have psychosis then is either Bipolar 1 or Schizoaffective, as far as I understand. The treatment isn't much different.

[possum220]

Originally Posted by Travelinglady

I'm not sure--and maybe she isn't either? Have you come out directly and said, "So, what's my official diagnosis?"

I agree with the Travelinglady. Asking wouldn't hurt then you might get some kind of clue as to what they are thinking.

Over the years different p'docs have told me different things. One doc said I was schizoid and then another has said dissociative disorder. Different decade different diagnoses. Along with depression and anxiety.

Also even if they say you have one set of symptoms that fit 'this' diagnoses there may be some form of crossover with another mental illness. You are still you despite the diagnoses. Sometimes a diagnoses gives the p'doc/T a place to start treatment.

[winter loneliness]

I don't think bipolar or schizophrenia matters if the meds help you. Zyprexa is also for people with borderline personality disorder. My psychiatrist calls it a chill pill.

I really didn't know the specifics although I had my suspicions. It wasn't until I had to have a medical form submitted as part of an application for military disability benefits that what I had wondered about was confirmed.