diagnosed with cyclothymia, am i in the right place?

[Phobos1337]

As you guys know I've posted on here a couple of times and I come on here a bit as it seems to help, onto the important stuff...

I've been to see a psychiatrist and basically they've said I have cyclothymia, ok fair does but what the hell, I've looked it up and it's described as mild. What I feel isn't mild at all, am I just confused or am I actually being too sensitive? Should I even be asking for help on this forum?

Thanks always for your company on here guys.

[LeftCoastChick]

Cyclothemia is now also being termed (well in Canada) as Bipolar Sprectrum Disorder - they say it's the least intense out of them,I'm technically that as well, but it's not any easier, regardless of which one they've labelled me as, I still get mood swings, anxiety and depression. As long as you are on meds that help and good therapy, that's what's important. I generally just call what I have BP2 because there is a fine line, and I know my mood swings can be fairly noticeable, anxiety triggers my depression.

[horselover65]

I think you're more than welcome here. As far as "mild", I think as a diagnostic term it doesn't mean exactly the same thing as it would in general conversation. It's not meant to minimize what's happening. It's still outside the norm and needs to be addressed. It still indicates someone who is in pain and needs help. I don't think you're being too sensitive; I think it's a bad description.

Some of the descriptions of these disorders are less than helpful. Relative to the more extreme disorders, they would consider it mild... Compared to having your leg amputated, having it broken would also be "mild". Objectively however, it is not mild at all - it's painful, requires weeks to heal, causes disruption and inconvenience in nearly every part of your life, etc. It's degree that makes one seem mild while the other clearly is not mild. Cyclothymia only means that you aren't as severely hypomanic or as severely depressed as a BP2, for example. It doesn't mean that you aren't hypomanic or depressed. Using the word "mild" doesn't do justice to the people who have it...

For whatever reason, the psychiatrist has diagnosed you this way. S/he might be wrong - it happens. Did you have a nice session or was it rushed? Did you have more than just the one session? As to the diagnosis - Maybe it was a bad diagnostic test or the result of poor communication or some other thing. A lot depends on how that was decided and the relationship you have with that doctor. Good honest relationship with open communication is the goal. It's probably easier for someone to misdiagnose if they get mixed or conflicting messages, so if you have concerns try to address them. If you have a good rapport, please see the doctor again. If you weren't sure you were on the same page, remember that you probably have other options. You can most likely see someone else. If you get the same diagnosis maybe they can explain it to you better. Hope that helps a little.