[birdcrazy]

I've had many different dxs over the years, but I thought it was finally settled when my caseworker said I had rapid cycling bipolar with psychosis. I told him I was called schizophrenic and he said I wasn't considered that anymore. But last visit, my psychiatrist calls me schizoaffective. What is it then?

Then there is the fact that I will never know what was wrong with me as a kid. I know ADHD or bipolar or both were involved, but I'm still wondering if Asperger's was involved too.

And I know I used to be considered Anxiety NOS, but I don't know if that's still on my record. I suspect I have mild PTSD, but I don't know if I have enough bad dreams about the car accident to have that, mostly I'm just afraid of cars.

Then I was considered OCD for a while, but I protested that one, I don't think it's part of my diagnosis anymore, but when I catch a glimpse of the computer screen, something about OCD is typed in there, but I don't know what.

[venusss]

Does it matter? Those ARE after all constructs designed for classification of our troubles. And they are not universally agreed on.

Focus on what is bothering you... label or no label. I mean... if you do get anxious, you it is a problem, even if you are not considered some particular label. If you have problems with your trauma, you can work on it, label or not...

[birdcrazy]

I just have a desire to know the name or names of what has messed up my life. I could go on and on about it, but I am sure that without mental illness I would have a better quality of life.

[junkDNA]

hey,

if ur so concerned about wondering "what u have" start researching what the doctors have Dx'd you with. look on the internet. find a DSM. apply the criterion to urself and see if they are valid or not.

Diagnoses are not absolute. They describe a set of symptoms and behaviors at one given time. Our bodies are very dynamic, so biochemistry and physiology change over time. Illnesses evince this.

I know how frustrating it is, since I was diagnosed with a lot of disorders over the years. Most were BS and from psychiatrists who saw me once. When I was younger, I never told them what was really going on. I only told them what they wanted to hear, so these diagnoses are no longer valid to me.

After, I did an honest assessment and found labels that ‘fit’, I realized they don’t really matter (A recent revelation). They don’t say a thing about me as an individual. All they describe is a set of superficial traits and challenges. The real Didgee has depth and is a scientist, an artist, a poet, and musician.

I refuse to believe I am a psychopathology.

A diagnosis is only good for treatment direction and accessing services. Sometimes, they are no help and can deny treatment. A good psychiatrist will focus on you rather than some label.

You are you, so try to focus on that.

[Ones44]

You are who you are. Look through the different diagnosis and see for yourself which ones you think describe you. And, yeah, I also wanted a firm, not changing, answer.

[Victoria'smom]

I completely understand!!! My dx has change more times than I can count. I just want to know for a family medical history for my son but no one will tell me. I feel I may have to request my records to find out.

[NOS-NOS]

Neither my psychologist or psychiatrist know what diagnosis to give me. My psychiatrist just knows my symptoms and gives me meds that treat those symptoms. I actually don't care that I don't have a specific diagnosis, in a way I'm glad about it (it tells me what I DON'T have).

[junkDNA]

i dont ****ing care what i have. sometimes i take the ******** meds, sometimes i dont.

i am human and i have a conscience thats all that really matters in the end to me