[eina]

I'm having a lot of trouble finding a therapist in my area who can work with me. I've received a lot of different diagnoses from different doctors who just can't seem to agree- bipolar, depressive schizoaffective, generalized anxiety, major depression, avoidant personality, borderline personality. I had one suggest partial epilepsy but the expert I saw didn't think it was that likely either. The only thing anyone can agree on is that I have atypical, "weird" symptoms. None of the therapists I've seen have really known what to do with me.

I've gotten to the point where it feels like there is no answer and no treatment and I'm honestly ready to give in. I'm coming down from some kind of bizarre day long episode and I know that I really need to find someone to talk to but I'm at a loss for where to look or what specialties to look for. Most of the people in my area treat for stress and anxiety, they don't really get into the other mental illnesses as much.

How do I find someone who specializes in what I have when I don't know what it is?

[tohelpafriend]

I think Psychology Today's website has a search engine by state...I'm looking for a new T also.....good luck....! I meant to add that some psych docs or psychiatrists are more skilled at diagnosis than others....some have reviews of their practice.

[shezbut]

I would definitely go to a pDoc for diagnosis, not just the family doctor (if that is what you've tried so far). Look online for those pDoc's that are available and covered by insurance in your local area, then look into current reviews and information on their specialties.

Make sure they have a broad span of general mental illnesses that they are knowledgeable about, but try to find those that specialize in BP, ADHD/ADD, and anxiety disorders. I also recommend that you find a pDoc that isn't afraid to ask an associate for their educated opinion. {I have had many different doctors over the years myself, and the absolute WORST are those that feel too high and mighty to even consider someone else's opinion.}

((((best wishes)))))

Why not pick the one that "fits" the best and the issues you most want to work on? Unless these doctors spent more then an hour with you I wouldn't trust any diagnosis. Personal bias. It's really about getting help for the issues you want get better at dealing with.

When I tell somebody about my "diagnosis" it goes something like… "not really sure. It's within the range of depression, ADHD, bipolar. I've even been called BPD before. I really don't think bipolar or BPD is right but I do think something along the autism spectrum fits. The only one I am really sure about is depression. I really hate those labels, don't you?" They usually agree with me

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[HazelGirl]

Try to focus on problems rather than "symptoms" of a disorder. So if you're having problems in relationships, talk about that. Or if you are having problems with motivation, talk about that.

That sounds frustrating...

I've found that many therapists choose to treat the "worried well". I'd definitely stay away from someone who doesn't treat all of the diagnoses you listed.

Psychoanalysts are known for treating those of us who have complex issues. What nation are you from? This is an analyst locater in the US:

http://www.apsa.org/Find_an_Analyst.aspx

They have tightly-knit communities throughout the US, so if the first one you see isn't a good match, s/he will know of one who has experience treating your issues to refer you to. Depending on where you live, there are usually a number of psychiatrist-analysts who do both medication management and intense psychotherapy. Could be very helpful.

Hope you find a good fit.

[Elektra_]

hi. as my T says what matter is the symptoms not label. u might have traits of many disorders so why hey cant really give u a label. find urself a good pdoc for an accurate diagnosis and then go from there. tc

[Lauliza]

That sounds very frustrating. There is some overlap with the disorders you mention (anxiety and avoidant personality; bipolar and schizoaffective). It sounds like you have yet to see a psychiatrist with enough knowledge and experince to properly assess your condition. As hard as it is, I would really reasearch gus hospitals in your area. if you can get one who has been in the field for a while (but not at the end of his career either) that would be ideal. These are serious diagnoses to throw around and you need some real help. Do you have online resources you have checked out yet?

[eina]

Thank you for the replies.

I'm seeing a new psychiatrist who seems like she might be able to help, but I've only seen her once and she's really far from my house so I can't see her often. She has said similar things that you have, that she doesn't diagnose until she's sure and that it just can't happen with so few appointments, and that sometimes there is no perfect diagnosis.

I do search for therapists by symptoms as well, but the problem with that is that my main symptoms are dissociative, and no one knows what to do with that around here either. I've gone in to a lot of different therapists and talked until I was blue in the face about what I was struggling with that week and the only real response I'd get was either curiosity or bewilderment. They were sympathetic but it wasn't helpful at all to be told over and over "that's so weird, I've never heard of that." Even the therapists who listed 'dissociative disorders' under things they treated had no clue.

@skies- there is one psychoanalyst on the list in my area, I'll keep them in mind for sure. Thank you!

[Canyon]

I have a dissociative disorder myself. What I have learned over the years is that you can't always find a T that specializes in dissociative disorders per se but many do work a lot with trauma and are therefore quite well versed in dissociative disorders.

A good trauma therapist is also very good at working with the symptoms that you have described. Something to consider when you are looking for a T.

[willowbrook]

I agree with finding an experienced Psychiatrist who is willing to take the time to really sit down with you and work out a proper diagnosis (none of this talk for 5 minutes, pull a diagnosis out of a hat type nonsense). I also agree though that it's probably more important to look at treating a cluster of symptoms rather than a label.

[HazelGirl]

If your symptoms are mainly dissociative, then I agree with Canyon. A trauma T is the way to go. Dissociation is almost always due to having experienced some sort of trauma, and if those are your main symptoms, a trauma T will be very familiar with them.

[Victoria'smom]

I would grab all of your mental health records and look through them to make a list of symptoms, duration, treatment and surrounding circumstances stances. So you condense your records to the important information. If you have someone you trust to do it for you that's even better.