[sadplant]

Today I went to see a Holistic doctor (just to get a second opinion on stuff), and he told me that what I'm going through right now is not a psychological issue.

"You are sad," was what he said. And I'm just??? Yeah, obviously I'm sad, who'd be happy being stuck at home doing absolutely nothing every day for two whole years, too afraid to leave the front door.

And he told me this isn't a psychological issue ("definitely not a mental illness, I've seen mentally ill people. You are not like them,"). I.. I should be graduating university and working now, but I've not even started studying yet. I've suffered with an eating disorder, etc. Is he saying that none of them were psychological? I don't know why I'm so offended by this, I probably should be relieved instead. But if it's not a mental illness, what's wrong with me?

I've been to a psychiatrist who thinks that I'm going through something called "prodromal psychosis". But this doctor thinks I'm just "sad" (he has healed so many patients with physical problems - cancer, diabetes, etc- which is why I'm not doubting that he's a good doctor at all). But who do I trust?

My psychiatrist wants to put me on Atypical Anti-psychotics, but this holistic doctor wants me to go through a 1-Month body Detox and Therapy and he ensures that I'll be good as new.

I don't even know what's wrong with me anymore. I thought going to see a doctor would solve this but I'm more confused than I ever was.

I don't know who to trust. (I hope this is the correct forum to post this in)

[Turtleboy]

well i personally think this holistic "doctor" is quite dangerous and someone should be looking into what they are saying.
that's just me tho, i find they will tell you anything to sell you something and saying mental illness isnt real because to him you don't look mentally ill is highly offensive.
how does one look mentally ill??
people can't tell i have problems when i talk to them but they are very real and medication (anti psychotics) have helped me greatly.
Go with your gut but in my opinion these people tend to claim all sorts of wonderful things and 9 times out of 10 its just the placebo effect .
anyway i wish you well and hope you find some answers

[gayleggg]

I agree with Turtleboy. I have no doubt that I'm mentally ill but don't show it on the outside, unless I let my guard down such as at home, when I cry for no reason. I know I can't exist without my meds, i've tried. Just be cautious if you go with the holistic guy because having psychosis is serious business. No one wants to believe they are mentally ill but if you are you need a psychiatrist. Well wishes to you which ever you choose, keep posting and let us know how you are doing. We will be here to support you either way.
Gayle

[lizardlady]

Sadplant, "doctors" who claim to "cure" things like cancer give me the willies. Have you seen documented proof he cured those people?

Am also going to agree with the others. What the heck does "mentally ill" look like? I know I have depression, but with meds and therapy I'm a functioning person. I don't look depressed, but I am. Personally, in your shoes I would also be insulted if someone told me I wasn't depressed because I didn't look it.

It is your choice whether you follow this person's plan or your psychiatrist, but please be careful

[Morgansangel]

I totally agree with the others, I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him

[sadplant]

Thanks, guys. I'm still not sure what to do, because my parents keep insisting I follow through with the Holistic treatment rather than take the meds my psychiatrist gave me. Sigh. I mean, it wouldn't hurt to do the detox thing. But meeting this Holistic Doctor made me second guess my diagnosis. Could my psychiatrist have wrongly diagnosed me?

[MarlboroChick]

Originally Posted by sadplant

Thanks, guys. I'm still not sure what to do, because my parents keep insisting I follow through with the Holistic treatment rather than take the meds my psychiatrist gave me. Sigh. I mean, it wouldn't hurt to do the detox thing. But meeting this Holistic Doctor made me second guess my diagnosis. Could my psychiatrist have wrongly diagnosed me?

Youve been seeing your psychiatrist longer then this holistic doctor, right? Dont go off your meds without talking to your psychiatrist. Wait to get to know this other guy. "Sad" is a really broad term. Keep going to the holistic guy and see if he can benefit you, but dont throw your old doctor in the trash.

[possum220]

I went to see some person who told me that my whole lymphatic system was shut down. Shortly after I saw a GP who told me that if that was the case the I would be dead. Go figure.

Has this holistic person ever hear of Agoraphobia? If your parents thank that it will be cheaper to see a holistic person wait until they start to get you to buy their remedies. You may have to buy a truck load.

An eating disorder is psychological and often an cover for deeper issues. Does your p'doc do therapy? If not ask them if there is some-one else (as well as) to talk to help you.

[onionknight]

If you don't mind me asking, what are the symptoms this psychiatrist diagnosed as "prodromal psychosis?" Starting taking an anti psychotic is a big step so you want to make sure you have tried other options and gotten advice from experts you can trust. This psychiatrist might just want to try this new diagnosis on you since recently there's been a push to attempt to catch psychosis earlier. Once you take the medication though, it will act on your brain chemistry and make it harder to withdraw and live without it?

While that holistic doctor might not have the best treatment option for you, maybe go to a second psychiatrist for another opinion? Have you tried therapy of any kind or an antidepressant? I don't know much about you, but it seems like both these doctors you have seen are making leaps without support.

[healingme4me]

Originally Posted by sadplant

I don't know why I'm so offended by this, I probably should be relieved instead. But if it's not a mental illness, what's wrong with me?

I've been to a psychiatrist who thinks that I'm going through something called "prodromal psychosis". But this doctor thinks I'm just "sad" (he has healed so many patients with physical problems - cancer, diabetes, etc- which is why I'm not doubting that he's a good doctor at all). But who do I trust?

My psychiatrist wants to put me on Atypical Anti-psychotics, but this holistic doctor wants me to go through a 1-Month body Detox and Therapy and he ensures that I'll be good as new.

I don't even know what's wrong with me anymore. I thought going to see a doctor would solve this but I'm more confused than I ever was.

I don't know who to trust. (I hope this is the correct forum to post this in)

I question the claims to 'healing cancer', my own radar would go up. If you are uncertain about psychotropic meds, and before going the holistic route...have you seen a Neurologist? I ask because of what your DX is from your pdoc. Prodrome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia " A prodrome can be the precursor to the onset of a chronic neurological disorder such as migraine or epilepsy, where prodrome symptoms include euphoria, scotoma, disorientation, aphasia, or photosensitivity"

At least, make sure nothing is physically going on with your brain, right? Before adding anything to the emotional aspect of your brain! I'm a patient of both neurology and psychology! You obviously, don't feel well, since you are exploring holistic healing, if you have and nothing is neurologically wrong, then of course, make you decisions. I personally, wouldn't take the meds, until I cleared neurology first. Just in case,

[ocdwifeofsociopath]

I once met a neurologist that didn't believe in mental illnesses. He absolutely astounded me. I really think people have a very difficult time grasping the concept. You can see physical deformities...you can see brain damage on an mri...you can actually some disorders on an mri, but most of the information on mental disorders is young and just getting to be taken seriously outside of a few select groups. Mental disorders are not imaginary made up things...all though there are aspects of peoples personalities that can be attributed to other things. I think that's where part of the confusion and blow it off attitude come from.

[sadplant]

onionknight, i'm pretty skeptical about my diagnosis (psychosis prodrome), as well. the symptoms were: social withdrawal and isolation (the main thing?), depression/anxiety, decline in functioning (self care, etc, i believe), low motivation, suspiciousness and i can't remember the rest. she never gave me a proper explaining or anything. i don't experience hallucinations/delusions.

i've never tried anti-depressants and was on abilify for a day before i fainted, so i stopped taking it (though my psychiatrist doesn't know that). i'll probably go through with the detox and see what happens. but i'm still so confused. there aren't that many psychiatrists where i live, unfortunately.

[henrydavidtherobot]

This doctor does not specialize in what you are going through. I think that his goal is to help people see that "sadness" is a normal emotion and isn't understanding the seriousness of what you're going through. Hang in there!

Originally Posted by sadplant

Today I went to see a Holistic doctor

This is where i stopped reading.

Originally Posted by onionknight

maybe go to a second psychiatrist for another opinion?

This is likely to be the most sound advice.

Good luck.

[JoyDivision7680]

Something similar happened to me when I went to a psychologist. It's true, I was feeling a lot better than now, but the war inside my head had already been getting started. He told me an insane person wouldn't have enough patience to sit and talk for an hour like I have, and to trust him because he has worked with ill people in the past and he know them. But, damn it, take two people diagnosed with the same illness: you won't have the exact same symptoms and reactions. My advice is to go see a second psychiatrist, it's the best thing to do. Good luck!

P.S. I'm sorry if I'm being incoherent, it happens to me from time to time.

[Webgoji]

Originally Posted by sadplant

"definitely not a mental illness, I've seen mentally ill people. You are not like them,"

This really jumped out at me as a rather dangerous statement. When people on the street meet me, they wouldn't think I have a mental illness.

That's the problem with mental illness. People assume that if you aren't seeing talking manatees and trying to kill people, you don't have mental issues and that's so completely wrong.

A holistic practitioner can help to an extent, but the statement he made that I quoted makes me really nervous about him. In my opinion, I would continue talking with licensed psychiatrists and get a few opinions there personally.

[H3rmit]

Originally Posted by sadplant

I mean, it wouldn't hurt to do the detox thing.
...
Could my psychiatrist have wrongly diagnosed me?

Yes, of course a pdoc could diagnose wrongly - but a holistic doctor is no judge of that. And detoxes can indeed be harmful, causing mineral and nutrient depletion, electrolyte imbalance, just for starters. Google around on detoxes. I don't know what kind they are suggesting for you.

[onionknight]

onionknight, i'm pretty skeptical about my diagnosis (psychosis prodrome), as well. the symptoms were: social withdrawal and isolation (the main thing?), depression/anxiety, decline in functioning (self care, etc, i believe), low motivation, suspiciousness and i can't remember the rest. she never gave me a proper explaining or anything. i don't experience hallucinations/delusions.

I did some research into the prodomal phase of psychosis last year, and yes, what you are describing could be that, but bare in mind, not all people who experience those symptoms or even the prodome go on to get full blown psychosis. The only way to know if it is a prodome is to see what it progresses into. It could also be a depressive or anxiety disorder, which are much more common.

Did the holistic doctor suggest any supplements or changes to your diet or lifestyle (like adding exercise)? That might actually help. You could try Omega-3s, the amino acid NAC, vitamin E. Also, I suggest again, therapy might help you to develop some context around your decline in functioning and emotional well-being and talk about alternatives to being suspicious or anxious. Even if you were definitively in the prodrome of psychosis, these suggestions still apply.