[zwierzkun]

Hello, I am new here so this may well be in the wrong category. I just finished 3-month group therapy at a psychiatric hospital and ended up being diagnosed with adjustment disorder. I know I'm not a doctor and the people who diagnosed me are but still, I feel this diagnosis doesn't cover most of my issues. I've read the criteria and it seems a bit like a label to slap on when you have an excessive reaction to a stressful event in life. In my case it would have to be the sole experience of going to school, lasting at least 6 years? It just seems like a slightly lazy diagnosis, especially since I had pretty severe symptoms of depression (suicidal thoughts, starving myself as a method of self-harm, not getting out of bed for days, sleeping 14+ hours and sobbing the rest of the time, all that jazz) and some sways in the manic direction, leading me to be on mood stabilizing medication. I had one doctor consider bipolar and another wrote down "several traits of BPD". I just feel really confused right now. I felt the therapy helped but I was really looking forward to basically getting a label that would give more answers than questions...

[AllHeart]

Hi Zwierzkun! Sorry you are not getting the answers you were hoping for. I have never heard of adjustment disorder but plan to look it up tonight. Can you get a second opinion?

[eeyorestail]

That does sound a bit strange. My understanding of Adjustment Disorder is that is used for something temporary. Six years seems like a long time for symptoms for that label.

I know in the U.S. sometimes adjustment disorder is put on insurance paperwork sort of as a placeholder, as in 1. there is no other disorder but something needs to be on there for insurance to pay out, or 2. it's put on there while they figure out a more permanent diagnosis/see how the client progresses. Honestly, it may just be a "paperwork" thing.

Are you still seeing a doctor or therapist? Could you ask them to explain?

I know it is easy to get wrapped up in labels and that sometimes it is easier to cope with symptoms if you have an explanation. So for that reason I would encourage you to ask questions. At the same time, please don't feel like this somehow invalidates what you've been going through.

[zwierzkun]

Thank you both. Krminnj, I have heard of that being the case in the US, however I think our system works different, so I think it's more likely they haven't "figured me out yet". Still, it's frustrating for me, since a label would help me cope by reading up on the issue etc. I have a tendency to find comfort in a cool and rational approach and a lack of label prevents me from that. Also, I feel very guilty and often perceive my state as weakness, laziness and generally not a legitimate illness. Now I just feel like the doctors themselves said there's nothing wrong with me.

[eeyorestail]

Originally Posted by zwierzkun

Thank you both. Krminnj, I have heard of that being the case in the US, however I think our system works different, so I think it's more likely they haven't "figured me out yet". Still, it's frustrating for me, since a label would help me cope by reading up on the issue etc. I have a tendency to find comfort in a cool and rational approach and a lack of label prevents me from that. Also, I feel very guilty and often perceive my state as weakness, laziness and generally not a legitimate illness. Now I just feel like the doctors themselves said there's nothing wrong with me.

Please don't feel weak or lazy or any of those things. I think diagnoses can be really useful, but I think one problem is what you're experiencing here. If we don't get one, or the "right" one, we feel we have failed in some way or have some character flaw. But it really does not sound like this is the case in your situation! It sounds like you are honestly struggling with some serious issues. Please don't beat yourself up about this.