[Kismet]

Who diagnosed your mental illness?

[SeptemberMorn]

Any particular reason why we're taking this poll?

[kimmydawn]

none of the above? a psychologist (PhD) dx'ed me.

kd

[SeptemberMorn]

Wouldn't that fall under the "therapist" category? LOL I'm all full of questions this morning. hehe

[Kismet]

Curiosity

[Kismet]

To me it would fall under therapist---but I was not specific enough i suppose.

Very helpful indeed!! *G*

[SeptemberMorn]

Remember... "Curiosity killed the cat... but SATISFACTION brought him back!" LOL

[Butterfly_Faerie]

Psychiatrist officially diagnosed me, my family doc mentioned anxiety to me, and reccomened I see that psychiarist which I'm seeing to this day.

[darkeyes]

Actually and technically a psychiatrist should be the one to make any final true evaluations, especially if medications for the disorder(s) will need to be prescribed.
Any doctors who are not psychiatrists should not be or take it upon themselves to try to substitue for a psychiatrist or mental health professional, it can do more damage than good. Sure GP's have breif training in psychology but that does not make them a psychologist or psychiatrist, so that is why I am bringing this fact out.
Psychiatrists are MD's and have furthered their studies and certifications in the field of psychiatry, that is their expertise. Too often GP's are handing out prescriptions for psychiatric/psychotropic meds. making the dx of "clinical depression", anxiety, ADD, etc. there are several problems with that, some are, a person may have an underlying physical condition(s), like for example hypothyroidism, diabetes to name a few, that can have symptoms of depression appear while actually it is the physical condition making the patient feel depressed.
When I finally was dxed with hypothyroidism and treated for it, much of my depression disappeared, and most likely to the fact I physically felt better. I still am on mood stabilizers but addressing the thyroid thing actually seemed to "boost" the benefits of my meds. Many psychiatrists and universities have and still are doing studies showing how hypothyroidism and/or borderline, can have many symptoms depressed people feel, once thyroid meds were given, many of the patients really didn't need psychiatric meds, or very little.
I personally get annoyed when GP's are handing out prescriptions for anti depressants, many are in the SSRI's group. Many are familar with them and may be taking them, such as Prozac, Celexa, Zoloft, Lexapro, etc. oh yes, some are not SSRI's like, Wellbutrin, and Effexor just to name another 2 popular ones today. I prefer such meds be prescribebd by a Psychiatrist after an evaluation has been made, after all this is their field.
As an example, if you had a heart condition and went to a Podiatrist, GP, that would not be the type of physician for that, you'd want to see a Cardiologist.
When we have any condition we need to seek the proper type of doc for the problem, for best treatment.
Sorry about my ramblings, felt chatty today
I wish everyone here lots of luck and strength torwards persuing treatment.

Please take care now,
DE

[LadyDragus]

thank you for that wonderful defition DE.. I had not known it was that in depth in that dept..

I now am learing something about my doctors.. THank you DE..

[Butterfly_Faerie]

Yup I know DE, he noticed how nervous etc I was and mentioned that it could be anxiety, he never told me that was what I had, only my psychiatrist.

Not sure if that post was directed at me or not, but I answered it anyways..

And before I click continue, I just noticed LD post.

[(JD)]

Clinical Psychologist. (specialist in pain, and stress management)

[inkblot]

The first actually came from my kid's T--unofficially, though. I remember that my reaction was that I thought he was crazy! Afterwhile and about a year later when I had a not-so-pleasant PTSD reaction, I finally believed him!

[BlueFaith]

A psychiatrist diagnosed me.

[kerria]

None of the above.

a psychology teacher at college diagnosed me first.
It was confirmed by a psychologist.

kerria

[jbug]

It was actually a combo of my therapist and my pdoc. My T told me though and promptly placed me in a BPD group that I stopped going to because all I did was learn how to be bad better.

[jammerlich]

Did you realize that you kinda left those of us who are undiagnosed out of the loop? I think that would be interesting to know as well.

[bptoo]

I couldn't answer just one cause it was my T and my Psych that came up with my dx together.

Greg

[(JD)]

jammer... that would be an answer of "self"... ??? And I think that would be very interesting....

[jammerlich]

no, because i haven't diagnosed myself. i'm not qualified.

[(JD)]

lol .... sorry I read the whole thing wrong! yep you're right... the researcher needs to fine tune her skills to gather accurate data from us!

[jammerlich]

oh, i didn't mean to go that far. she has the right to ask whatever she wants. it's just a poll. but i'd like to see the results and i can't do that without voting. and if i voted, i'd skew the results because none of those options really apply to me. that's all.

[(JD)]

Who Diagnosed your mental illness?
Users may choose only one (31 total votes)
Psychiatrist
51% (16)

therapist
32% (10)

primary care physician
09% (3)

self
06% (2)



so far... how's that?

[Kismet]

hmmm...well this is not a "research project"... I think it would be cool if someone posted a response that I didnt have listed....

[majella]

oh - I cant find the poll ....