[Sabrina]

I was responding to a post about GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) that I was diagnosed with a few years ago, and a thought struck me as to whether this would appy to me now. The same goes for my Major Depressive Disorder diagnosis.

I am largely depression free and anxiety I still have in small doses but it is manageable.

I hardly fit into the diagnostic criteria now and just wondered what happens to my diagnosis. I mean, these things could come back, right?

What do you think?

[pachyderm]

Originally Posted by Sabrina

I mean, these things could come back, right?

What do you think?

Anything could happen. It might not, though! Anyway, I think that major improvement is possible, so that a diagnosis might no longer fit you.

[possum220]

Yup when people get well that dx no longer exists. Like a broken arm, when it gets healed the arm is no longer broken.

[Pup]

I don't think most mental health illnesses ever go away fully, you can recover but I guess it's a bit like remission - you could relapse anytime.

Diagnosis wise, some never expire, some are replaced, some are added, some are removed. Depends.

[VickiesPath]

It has been my experience that they go by current symptoms.

[theotterone]

My depression and anxiety have gotten much much better since I started Adderall for ADHD. I think it helps too that I am dealing and learning to work with my ADHD and not against it. I am lowering my anti-depressants (with my pdoc's supervision).

That said, I do still get a little anxious at times. So I know it is there, I am aware the possibilities to "slip back" is there. That way, when I do slip back, I'm not wondering what the hey is going on!

[WePow]

I think this is one area where the experts could pick it up a notch or two.
For example, I have dx of DID. I have multiple personalities. That will most likely not go away in this lifetime - even though I can have many years without any actual disorder in my life as a result. So I think they need to have two different categories for situations like this.

Originally Posted by Sabrina

I was responding to a post about GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) that I was diagnosed with a few years ago, and a thought struck me as to whether this would appy to me now. The same goes for my Major Depressive Disorder diagnosis.

I am largely depression free and anxiety I still have in small doses but it is manageable.

I hardly fit into the diagnostic criteria now and just wondered what happens to my diagnosis. I mean, these things could come back, right?

What do you think?

((sabrina))) imo I do think ppl can recover.. .. thats why there is the word recovery awww
Im am so glad you are free of those 2 dxs right now.

[deliquesce]

technically (according to the DSM), you don't ever recover completely - your diagnosis just changes to "xyz - in remission".

BUT - it is my belief that ppl can recover completely. the way the DSM treats diagnoses is under a great deal of scrutiny and controversy anyway, so it is usually best not to put too much stock by what the book says .

[VickiesPath]

Geez, deli.......does that mean that I could be......gulp........a "Chronic Bedwetter, In Remission !!!!!!!! Argggg!

[deliquesce]

i think you should add it to your signature, vickie, so we can all be aware of your heightened risk of relapse .

[Pup]

We're on about psychiatric illnesses, so I thought.

[deliquesce]

Originally Posted by Pup

We're on about psychiatric illnesses, so I thought.

yes, bedwetting is a possible disorder as listed in the DSM-IV:

Diagnostic criteria for 307.6 Enuresis
A. Repeated voiding of urine into bed or clothes (whether involuntary or intentional).
B.The behavior is clinically significant as manifested by either a frequency of twice a week for at least 3 consecutive months or the presence of clinically significant distress or impairment in social, academic (occupa­tional), or other important areas of functioning.

C. Chronological age is at least 5 years (or equivalent developmental level).

D. The behavior is not due exclusively to the direct physiological effect of a substance (e.g., a diuretic) or a general medical condition ( e.g., diabetes, spina bifida, a seizure disorder).

Specify type:
Nocturnal Only
Diurnal Only
Nocturnal and Diurnal

[VickiesPath]

I have two polar bears on my personal contact card. Maybe I should put a nappy on there, too.........

[Pup]

Well, I thought we were on about more serious illnesses and more likely to be a long term problem. I used to bed wet and it took a long time for it to be gone, but there is a difference between bed wetting and major depressive disorder, or schizophrenia, or PD's, etc.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Sabrina

I was responding to a post about GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) that I was diagnosed with a few years ago, and a thought struck me as to whether this would appy to me now. The same goes for my Major Depressive Disorder diagnosis.

I am largely depression free and anxiety I still have in small doses but it is manageable.

I hardly fit into the diagnostic criteria now and just wondered what happens to my diagnosis. I mean, these things could come back, right?

What do you think?

there are lots of things that can make a person sad, depressed, moving, getting a new job, some one dies, stress, even good things like christmas and the let down that happens after christmas day is all over. so yea theres always the possiblity that a person will become depressed.

does a diagnosis expire yea it does. each mental disorder has set guidelines criteria for having it. when a psychiatrist tests you he diagnoses you with a mental disorder. then the next time you get tested you might not meet the criteria for that same diagnosis. It stays on your medicaal and psychological records that you were diagnosed something until you get retested rediagnosed. when you get retested, rediagnosed your medical and psychological files get updated to show that you no longer meet the criteria for the past diagnosis and what your new diagnosis is. then later on if you start having problems again the psychiatrists and doctors have go through testing again if you meet the criteria you are rediagnosed with the past diagnosis. if you dont meet the criteria you dont recieve the diagnosis and get whatever your new diagnosis is. Its an on going process like someone with cancer, they get diagnosed with cancer go through treatment when no cancer cells are there they are considered cancer free. later on if cancer cells start showing up they are rediagnosed with cancer again. theres always the possiblity that cancer will come back but as long as there are no cancer cells they are diagnosed cancer free, in remission, no cancer.

[mschu528]

Yes, it depends first of all on where you live (i.e. DSM-IV-TR or ICD-10). Then it depends on individual belief (both the DSM and the ICD imply improbability of resolving psych disorders, but neither explicitly consider it impossible). Some psychiatrists/psychologists believe in the concept of recovery from even the most severe psych disorders (e.g. Rufus May and Ronald D Laing). Of course, as with any field, on the other side are also those hoping for perpetual business - in this case continuation of the disorder. This doesn't seem all that common is psych though. Then are the majority in between who say it can be well-managed and under control, but still not resolved.

[paddym22]

I was officially diagnosed as in remission from BPD last week, but life events could trigger its return according to ymy psychiatrist.

[Sabrina]

Thank you all for your input and comments.

I think it is safe to say that I am in remission and that hopefully, I will never have to be re-diagnosed.

[VickiesPath]

(((((((((((((( Pup )))))))))))))))))


No harm intended. Was being sillly again. We do outgrow things.

[Pup]

sorry i'm a bit touchy. i honestly think you never get over a mental health illness but that's just me. bed wetting - you can out grow it it may take a while but who knows? it may come back...

[Trying & Caring]

I guess I am a little confused about dx "expiring" as in "cured." I think you can be in remission (I have from bipolar 1 & it is like getting an A on your report card as I had been in "mixed--moderate for a couple yrs., despite working w/ my meds). Plus, w/therapy & DBT have been able to discontinue some meds & lower dosages of others. It's kind of an in flux thing & you need to be aware of your symptoms early & triggers to sidetrack an episode.

Also, learning techniques have helped me w/anxiety so much that I don't have to take anti-anxiety meds as I have for 25 yrs. (yes, I am old).

And current therapist put down borderline as an "exploratory dx." I asked her to take it off due to the stigma involved w/borderline. I already have bipolar 1 & ADHD & acute anxiety--that's enough to say I will benefit from medication & therapy, as far as I am concerned. But I DO fit into the DBT therapy group quite nicely!! Nice to belong somewhere!!!

Count me in as a late bed wetter. Last time 8th grade, except when I was recovering from an overdose suicide attempt at 15...

I mean, these things could come back, right?

Depending all your personal situation, therapy you've received, issues you've dealt with and have over come...

If it is a chemical diagnosis then NO it does not expire.... Medication is needed to maintain it.

If it were a depression re: a job loss, death etc....
Then Yes, It was just a period you went through and have worked through it.

If this, if that.....

I don't your dignosis but it has to do with any kind of mental, physical tramua, ----- Then NO it doesn NOT expire -----
There will be triggers in your life that set off something you thought you'd dealt with....

You said Generalized - was it do to a situation? Have you gotten out of the situation? Is it something that will never have to be dealt with again?

As for myself - My diganosis began as depressant - depressant, then went came other .... I am currently diganosised with several disorders, as mine were from the beginning of my life and my brain doesn't seem to LEARN new behaviors.
They sooth a bit, medications change... but.... the tramua I had ....
Will always be - I often find myself triggered by a song - that was popular durning the devastion of my childhood.
SO I coup and coup and coup..... and know that I will always have to be on medication as I DO HAVE Chemical Imbalances.

ALL Until they come up with the Happy Pill

[Indie'sOK]

I wonder the same thing...I was diagnosed with GAD a few months ago, but since I've been on paxil, my anxiety has lessened to a more manageable degree. Do I still have GAD? If I stopped taking the pills, would it come back? Good questions

[Trying & Caring]

BOTH my children, unfortunately, had bad bouts of depression. Daughter had to take a medical leave from univ. her sophomore yr. Son had written a suicide note I found when he was a sr. in high school w/the date when he was going to do it. I took him to the ER. Both of them recovered w/medications (for 1 yr.) & therapy. Son has never had depression return, though daughter still struggles w/bouts of it but medication made her SO TIRED & she is a lawyer & afraid of the stigma should it come out...

So, it seems my son is "cured." Daughter is "handling" it without medication.

I'm bipolar 1 & eliminating & decreasing dosages of other meds as I can (through skills learned in DBT & therapy) as the ones I am on have not been followed in elderly people (I'm 55 now). Plus the side effects have been pretty devastating (weight gain on anti-psychotic so now have high blood pressure, high cholesterol & testing in diabetic range in blood sugar--not to mention my already in the gutter self-esteem is getting even lower w/weight gain).

So? Remission, cure, recover... Just words; do the best you can & you may be able to eliminate symptoms completely (like I rarely take anti-anxiety meds & had taken Xanax or Klonopin every night for 25 yrs. due to not being able to sleep w/anxiety symptoms). Skills learned through DBT has eliminated the need for that.