1. Blah blah blah, diagnosis isn't everything. Okay, but I'd really like one. I've been struggling since I reached the double digits (in years) and every "therapist" I've seen just kind of ho hums or agrees with me when I say I have depression. How do I get a diagnosis? Who gives out diagnoses? Psychiatrists? Do I need a referral for a psychiatrist?

Please help; I have not been to the doctor in a very long time and have no idea how anything works. I scheduled a check up with a family doctor (whatever that is) and am planning to tell all and ask for an exam, but what if the dr can't diagnose these things and the appointment is useless?

I'm also worried they're going to commit me because I self harm and have been suicidal. I plan on keeping a clear head and a friendly tone but sometimes you can't predict how things are going to go. How common is it to talk about these things with a family doctor?

2. I'd also really like to know what the pros and cons are to having a diagnosis legally, if there are any. Would you ever let an employer know about your mental health diagnosis? I personally wouldn't, but right now I'm uninformed.

Let me know if I need to clear anything up. Googling in the meantime. Thanks.

[healingme4me]

A psychologist can administer a test. And help you develop a safety plan for you when you feel like self harming or are having ideation. A psychopharmacologist can also diagnose and they can prescribe any meds, as needed.
I would think the pros in having a diagnosis and being under treatment are that it's a path towards wellness and to also give you peace of mind so that you needn't agonize over the "what is its".
I think it's hippa that protects your privacy from outside persons finding out if you have an illness.
I'd think that being in treatment might be less of an employment hinderance than if not, by virtue of attending to your health.

[Loose Screw x 2]

I have this same question. I recently contacted a therapist's office who told me that in order to treat me for a certain condition that I would need a diagnosis from a psychologist and when I asked how to have that done they said that I would have to go through my doctor to do that. Why did my doctor not inform me of this in the first place after I mentioned to her that I think that I have that condition and why?? If I can't be diagnosed with everything that's wrong with me then, I just don't care any more.

[seesaw]

Do not rely on your family doctor for a psych diagnosis. They do not have enough specialized training. Mav, you may need to go through your doctor because of insurance purposes and needing a referral.

See a psychologist or psychiatrist to get a diagnosis. Tell them you want them to diagnose you and do a full work up/intake.

Legal ramifications: you don't have disclose your illness to anyone. You don't have to disclose it to an employer unless you need to ask for a reasonable accommodations for it. And I would not recommend telling your employer unless this is the case.

There are other implications here, but that's all I can pull out of my head for now.

Seesaw

[Loose Screw x 2]

Thanks, seesaw. I'll try talking to my psychiatrist about it.

[seesaw]

Sorry if I was blunt. I have just had so many issues with general practitioners trying to Dx psychological disorders...they just don't have the experience.

[Loose Screw x 2]

Originally Posted by seesaw

Sorry if I was blunt. I have just had so many issues with general practitioners trying to Dx psychological disorders...they just don't have the experience.

Didn't sound blunt to me.

It’s nice to see a psychiatrist. The first appointment (I’ve had four) at the medical centers I’ve been to are a full hour. I highly recommend it, even if you want to be managed by your regular doc later, depending on the diagnosis.

If I need to be signed out for work stress, my family doc will give me two weeks so it isn’t written by a psychiatrist. You might want to see if you can set that up for just in case you need it.

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by seesaw

Sorry if I was blunt. I have just had so many issues with general practitioners trying to Dx psychological disorders...they just don't have the experience.

I completely agree. I was very naïve years ago and I went to a D.O. provider worse mistake of my life. They need to stick to the basics. He misdiagnosed me and put me on the wrong medicine. Luckily I knew something was wrong because I was getting worse. I went some place else for a second opinion.

[kecanoe]

Originally Posted by emptynightmare

1. Blah blah blah, diagnosis isn't everything. Okay, but I'd really like one. I've been struggling since I reached the double digits (in years) and every "therapist" I've seen just kind of ho hums or agrees with me when I say I have depression. How do I get a diagnosis? Who gives out diagnoses? Psychiatrists? Do I need a referral for a psychiatrist?

Please help; I have not been to the doctor in a very long time and have no idea how anything works. I scheduled a check up with a family doctor (whatever that is) and am planning to tell all and ask for an exam, but what if the dr can't diagnose these things and the appointment is useless?

I'm also worried they're going to commit me because I self harm and have been suicidal. I plan on keeping a clear head and a friendly tone but sometimes you can't predict how things are going to go. How common is it to talk about these things with a family doctor?

2. I'd also really like to know what the pros and cons are to having a diagnosis legally, if there are any. Would you ever let an employer know about your mental health diagnosis? I personally wouldn't, but right now I'm uninformed.

Let me know if I need to clear anything up. Googling in the meantime. Thanks.

I saw a therapist and a psychiatrist for several years. They had to put diagnosis codes on the forms they sent in to my health insurance co, so they did. It was pretty clear that I was depressed, they didn't need to do a lot of investigation to determine that. But when I started really falling apart, they sent me to a psychologist who specialized in testing and diagnosis. I filled out a whole bunch of forms and tests, it took several hours. Then I had an interview with the psychologist that took a couple hours as well. He then wrote a 5 or 6 page document that described his assessment of me, including things that he thought were relevant to diagnosis. Then he laid out what treatment he thought would be effective and what direction it should go. It ended with a formal diagnosis.

Has it been useful? Yes and no.

He diagnosed me with DID. That has been helpful with getting treatment; the Ts have assumed the diagnosis was correct and we've jumped in with treatment. It has also been helpful for me because I sometimes doubt that I have DID.

He also said that I had Major Depressive Disorder. Treatment Resistant. That was pretty obvious. I think that might be helpful if my health insurance co starts being willing to pay for ketamine treatment. I would like to try that, but it is expensive. Other than that, not really helpful.

He also diagnosed Mixed Personality Disorder, with various traits. That hasn't been very helpful. Personality disorders are supposedly hard to treat/recover from and that is not very helpful to know.

As far as legally, it would probably be helpful if you wanted disability benefits or something like that. But I have not told my employers. I feel like that would be detrimental. Some people, however, have found it helpful to tell their boss what they are dealing with.

Your diagnosis (at least in the US) cannot be disclosed without your permission. Even if you are hospitalized for mental illness, the person that did the diagnosing must have your signed permission to release the diagnosis. Otherwise the hospital has to go by what they see.

[blondie95]

Originally Posted by emptynightmare

1. Blah blah blah, diagnosis isn't everything. Okay, but I'd really like one. I've been struggling since I reached the double digits (in years) and every "therapist" I've seen just kind of ho hums or agrees with me when I say I have depression. How do I get a diagnosis? Who gives out diagnoses? Psychiatrists? Do I need a referral for a psychiatrist?

Please help; I have not been to the doctor in a very long time and have no idea how anything works. I scheduled a check up with a family doctor (whatever that is) and am planning to tell all and ask for an exam, but what if the dr can't diagnose these things and the appointment is useless?

I'm also worried they're going to commit me because I self harm and have been suicidal. I plan on keeping a clear head and a friendly tone but sometimes you can't predict how things are going to go. How common is it to talk about these things with a family doctor?

2. I'd also really like to know what the pros and cons are to having a diagnosis legally, if there are any. Would you ever let an employer know about your mental health diagnosis? I personally wouldn't, but right now I'm uninformed.

Let me know if I need to clear anything up. Googling in the meantime. Thanks.

1) I want to make this a short and to the point as possible. From having past experience with working at a family practice office your PCP is a great place to start. Generally, they will have their own questionnaires etc, let them know you would like to make an appointment to discuss changes in mood, or depression, whatever you're comfortable with. From there if they do not feel they are a good fit to treat you, or if you feel you are not getting appropriate care, ask for a referral elsewhere or seek another PCP. Needing a referral depends on a couple things, your health insurance and the facility you are being referred to. It is really important to be completely honest no matter how hard that is. They are there to help and to do what is in your best interest.

2) Personally, legally I don't think it changes anything. I chose to let my employer know of my depression as it did affect my work performance at times.

Best of luck