Aa
bipolar vs doc appts
does anyone else feel like this or am i just paranoid...if i have a doc appt for other reasons than bipolar you fill out a medical history and of course i am always honest and let them know i am bipolar and what meds i am on...i feel sometimes they look at you and undermind your physical pain because you are bipolar you may be making it up or over exagerrating and they do not take you seriously...also noticed my spelling has been terrible...used to always be excellent at spelling and now i seem to get confused and forget how things are spelled...thought it was probably the medication???
NEVER lie or "forget to tell" ANY doctor about what medications you are on. It could create a life-threatening situation. Doctors talk to each other, it's probably already in your chart, why lie about it?
I have seen five or six psychiatrists, and a lot of times they will all disagree with each other. You are not your diagnosis, and diagnoses change alot, especially with mental illnesses. And doctors in other fields...most don't really care. SO many people come in with mental problems nowadays, most are professional. I have had doctors tell me that things were "all in my head" only to have major non-psychosomatic neurological disorders and hormonal deficiencies found in bloodwork diagnosed later.
I have several friends who literally "became their illness" and were super paranoid that everyone they ever met hated them because they were bipolar. No one hated them for it, but eventually people started resenting them for accusing them of it so often. Sometimes we are all a little paranoid, try not to worry about things so much.
If you think it might interfere with their objective opinion, just tell them the medications that you're on, you don't have to label it as bipolar, and a lot of these drugs are also prescribed for anxiety or depression or sleep or whatever have you. It's more important that you don't put yourself at risk for a REALLY serious drug interaction.
I have seen five or six psychiatrists, and a lot of times they will all disagree with each other. You are not your diagnosis, and diagnoses change alot, especially with mental illnesses. And doctors in other fields...most don't really care. SO many people come in with mental problems nowadays, most are professional. I have had doctors tell me that things were "all in my head" only to have major non-psychosomatic neurological disorders and hormonal deficiencies found in bloodwork diagnosed later.
I have several friends who literally "became their illness" and were super paranoid that everyone they ever met hated them because they were bipolar. No one hated them for it, but eventually people started resenting them for accusing them of it so often. Sometimes we are all a little paranoid, try not to worry about things so much.
If you think it might interfere with their objective opinion, just tell them the medications that you're on, you don't have to label it as bipolar, and a lot of these drugs are also prescribed for anxiety or depression or sleep or whatever have you. It's more important that you don't put yourself at risk for a REALLY serious drug interaction.
Hi farraway - the flaw with giving a false address is if I ever needed a house call! That's the reason you are designated a Dr within your area.
You're right about questioning and learning everything possible and trust me, been there, done and still do it, lol.
I've met my new general doctor today and guess what, she's really clued in - yeeha!
I'm not being big headed here but I'm an intelligent woman who has also worked within the systems - both healthcare and benefits. I know how the system works in both cases. In other words, I agree that knowledge is power, or should I say, "empowerment".
Whether it be BP or any other aspect of life it is important to educate yourself as much as possible. If you can't find a way around a situation then learn to work with it instead.
You're right about questioning and learning everything possible and trust me, been there, done and still do it, lol.
I've met my new general doctor today and guess what, she's really clued in - yeeha!
I'm not being big headed here but I'm an intelligent woman who has also worked within the systems - both healthcare and benefits. I know how the system works in both cases. In other words, I agree that knowledge is power, or should I say, "empowerment".
Whether it be BP or any other aspect of life it is important to educate yourself as much as possible. If you can't find a way around a situation then learn to work with it instead.
I guess I hadn't considered the varying degree health systems around the globe.
So next option (and there are always options) should be to study everything about your illness as intensly as you can, also study up on the drugs and keep annoying/prodding/asking your doctors. Make them communicate - it's their duty.
Also, what about loopholes in the system? Study the system too.
For example, if I was really unhappy with my doc, I would change my address to my sisters across town (in name only) - get my drift.
I studied the system where I am and discovered that I could get a subsidy of $4,000 towards dental work. This subsidy was directed to chronic illness cases (bipolars qualify!), nonetheless I got myself accepted - for a 2 year period. Every health person I have spoken to did not know this, let alone the public.
So next option (and there are always options) should be to study everything about your illness as intensly as you can, also study up on the drugs and keep annoying/prodding/asking your doctors. Make them communicate - it's their duty.
Also, what about loopholes in the system? Study the system too.
For example, if I was really unhappy with my doc, I would change my address to my sisters across town (in name only) - get my drift.
I studied the system where I am and discovered that I could get a subsidy of $4,000 towards dental work. This subsidy was directed to chronic illness cases (bipolars qualify!), nonetheless I got myself accepted - for a 2 year period. Every health person I have spoken to did not know this, let alone the public.
Don't get me wrong, I do have a huge team of doctors, consisting of GP's, Cardiologist, Opthalmologist, Neurologist, Psychologist, Psychiatrist and even a Biokineticist and a lot of times I have to bounce around between them to find a reason/solution because my conditiong is spread so wide across multiple systems.
With major emergencies the first thing I generally do with a unfamiliar doctor, is present them with my medic-alert card to inform them of the possible causes of the emergency.
It's generally when I need a second opinion or have a minor emergency that I end up at doctors that doesn't know about my condition and usually, in those cases, I prefer not telling them about my condition so they can form their own opinion about the cause rather than have their judgement clouded by the main disorder.
It is like telling someone you have AIDS and have a cough. They would immediately assume you have a bronchial infection while it might actually be that you just smoke too much ;D.
One example, was when I was having excruciating pain in my arm. It was on a Sunday and I couldn't get a hold of my regular GP, so I had to go to the ER. I intentionally did not tell the doctor about my condition as I also wanted a second opinion about my wrist pains. When the doc came to the conclusion that it was due to arthritis, and got puzzled that I have it at such a young age, I had to tell him but at least by then, he had formed a proper opinion instead of having a predetermined answer in his head. There is a pretty good chance that my normal GP would have written it off to a normal joint inflammation (Which I get very often)
I am not blaming my GP of being complacent, but after seeing the same person with the same problem a multitude of times, it's just human nature to immediately jump to a conclusion.
In fact, I adore my GP because he has been really supportive and even though he knows very little about the condition, he makes a real effort to learn anything he can about it. His partner is a different story though and I try to avoid him at all costs.
With major emergencies the first thing I generally do with a unfamiliar doctor, is present them with my medic-alert card to inform them of the possible causes of the emergency.
It's generally when I need a second opinion or have a minor emergency that I end up at doctors that doesn't know about my condition and usually, in those cases, I prefer not telling them about my condition so they can form their own opinion about the cause rather than have their judgement clouded by the main disorder.
It is like telling someone you have AIDS and have a cough. They would immediately assume you have a bronchial infection while it might actually be that you just smoke too much ;D.
One example, was when I was having excruciating pain in my arm. It was on a Sunday and I couldn't get a hold of my regular GP, so I had to go to the ER. I intentionally did not tell the doctor about my condition as I also wanted a second opinion about my wrist pains. When the doc came to the conclusion that it was due to arthritis, and got puzzled that I have it at such a young age, I had to tell him but at least by then, he had formed a proper opinion instead of having a predetermined answer in his head. There is a pretty good chance that my normal GP would have written it off to a normal joint inflammation (Which I get very often)
I am not blaming my GP of being complacent, but after seeing the same person with the same problem a multitude of times, it's just human nature to immediately jump to a conclusion.
In fact, I adore my GP because he has been really supportive and even though he knows very little about the condition, he makes a real effort to learn anything he can about it. His partner is a different story though and I try to avoid him at all costs.
That depends on your healthcare system though. Over here we can only go to the surgery in our area so we are limited to the Drs within that one practice. Same with referrals to specialists you are pretty much stuck with whoever is available in your area. For instance my Dr has just moved practices, she was a fantastic Dr and I really clicked with her. She's moved to a different county about an hours drive but I can't join that surgery because it's not allowed - you have to live within a certain radius of the surgery.
I don't have a huge choice of psychologists or psychiatrists either - choice of about 3 of each at a guess.
I can't go down the route of private treatment either because the irony is I stand a good chance of seeing the same Dr I would have seen had I been going through the NHS but just quicker! Also paying for private treatment is just not an option for a lot of people, me included. I'm on disability at the moment, that doesn't even cover basic essentials let alone private healthcare.
I don't have a huge choice of psychologists or psychiatrists either - choice of about 3 of each at a guess.
I can't go down the route of private treatment either because the irony is I stand a good chance of seeing the same Dr I would have seen had I been going through the NHS but just quicker! Also paying for private treatment is just not an option for a lot of people, me included. I'm on disability at the moment, that doesn't even cover basic essentials let alone private healthcare.
Due to our condition, we are going to be stuck with our doctors for many years. Surely it makes sense to find a doctor you are perfectly comfortable with, and confident in.
I am on my second Doctor, my second Psychologist and fourth Psychiatrist (in 4 Years). My family accused me of "doctor shopping", but now I wouldn't change my current team for the world!
So, make it a project to find this "elusive doctor"!.
I am on my second Doctor, my second Psychologist and fourth Psychiatrist (in 4 Years). My family accused me of "doctor shopping", but now I wouldn't change my current team for the world!
So, make it a project to find this "elusive doctor"!.
Hi,
Just had a different discussion and was directed to this thread... I think the dilemma can be applied to almost any condition, not necissarily mental.
Currently I avoid telling a doctor about my physical condition because I don't want theyre judgement to be clouded by it. The other day I needed some advice on a problem joint and after having had the consultation, I told the doctor that I had Marfan's. When he suddenly clicked, putting two and two together and recognising the glaringly obvious signs, he said "Well if you told me to start off with, I could have had you out of here in a jiffy".
Ugm...yea...that's exactly what I didn't want because instead of giving me an objective opinion and advice, he would most likely have stuffed a script for anti-inflam's into my hand.
It's difficult...especially when you have "umbrella" disorders such as Bipolar or Marfan's. Doctors tend to forget to see the forest for the trees...or how does that saying go?
Just had a different discussion and was directed to this thread... I think the dilemma can be applied to almost any condition, not necissarily mental.
Currently I avoid telling a doctor about my physical condition because I don't want theyre judgement to be clouded by it. The other day I needed some advice on a problem joint and after having had the consultation, I told the doctor that I had Marfan's. When he suddenly clicked, putting two and two together and recognising the glaringly obvious signs, he said "Well if you told me to start off with, I could have had you out of here in a jiffy".
Ugm...yea...that's exactly what I didn't want because instead of giving me an objective opinion and advice, he would most likely have stuffed a script for anti-inflam's into my hand.
It's difficult...especially when you have "umbrella" disorders such as Bipolar or Marfan's. Doctors tend to forget to see the forest for the trees...or how does that saying go?
i have the same problem with my gp who has no clue about 'mental illness' and tends to dismiss any other issues when they come up. i was also in hospital for surgery last year and as soon as they found out about my meds most attitudes changed toward me immediately. very frustrating to have everything put down to my disease.
I think you've raised a very valid point and one that is all to true. I am an intelligent, logical woman yet I have come across Dr's who have decided that any ailment I present with must be a result of my mental health. I have now got a Dr who treats me as a person and not as a diagnosis :-)
It is not a case of worrying what others think of you but more a case of worrying that you are not going to receive the correct treatment. If at any time during a consultation you feel that the Dr is not taking you seriously then you must raise the issue with him immediately. Explain that you know the difference between symptoms that are a result of your mental health (ie, depression, meds etc) and those symptoms which stand alone from them.
As for your spelling, I find this also and assume it is due to my inability to concentrate as well as I used to. I double and triple check important things, sometimes leaving them a day or two and checking them again.
It is not a case of worrying what others think of you but more a case of worrying that you are not going to receive the correct treatment. If at any time during a consultation you feel that the Dr is not taking you seriously then you must raise the issue with him immediately. Explain that you know the difference between symptoms that are a result of your mental health (ie, depression, meds etc) and those symptoms which stand alone from them.
As for your spelling, I find this also and assume it is due to my inability to concentrate as well as I used to. I double and triple check important things, sometimes leaving them a day or two and checking them again.
Yeah, I get paranoid that they're not going to take me seriously and take away my medication when I'm in the same situation as you.
I stopped worrying about what people think along time ago and it set me free to be myself. If you are focused on what others think about you, you are not in tune to what your real need are. Good luck
Here's my thoughts...
It's crazy not to provide a doc current (and old?) drug history, many chemicals and elements interact. Specialists have this knowlege and will prescribe accordingly.
The most important person in that waiting room is YOU, don't worry about other peoples perceptions. If they think badly or negatively, are those types worth worrying about anyway?
Spelling? - Have a chat to your doc.
It's crazy not to provide a doc current (and old?) drug history, many chemicals and elements interact. Specialists have this knowlege and will prescribe accordingly.
The most important person in that waiting room is YOU, don't worry about other peoples perceptions. If they think badly or negatively, are those types worth worrying about anyway?
Spelling? - Have a chat to your doc.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Bipolar Disorder Community
15 signs that it’s more than just the blues
Discover the common symptoms of and treatment options for depression.
We've got five strategies to foster happiness in your everyday life.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
