Aa
Can Pdoc be wrong?
I was diagnosed with bipolar 6 mos ago by a new psychiatrist after being on meds for depression for 18 mos. A contentious divorce and job loss led me into a depressed state. The Pdoc saw me bi-weekly for 3 mos and says she is 100% sure I am bipolar. She put me on Lamictal and then added effexor for depression. The Effexor made my heart race and I felt horrible. Couldn't sleep, etc. I stopped all meds after that and now feel great and back to normal. I haven't felt this good since I started psychiatric meds 2 years ago. I beleive my current state proves there is nothing wrong with me and the pdoc misdiagnosed me. I have always lived with energy cycles where I have high energy and motivation and get a lot done to very low energy with little productivity. I am inpulsive and a risk taker. I am also a very successful salesperson and business leader. Do you think I was misdiagnosed?
The travel sounded like an adventure.
Listing death as a potential side-effect wouldn't really endear anyone to take it.
I have a slightly different perception of psychiatrists and therefore I do challenge most things they say.
If you do have confidence in a doctor and their ability then I expect it is easier to trust their judgment.
Some doctors I believe shouldn't be in medicine and are only in psychiatry because they are complete failures themselves. I don't believe these doctors have the potential to help patients very much. And I think patients do go to be helped.
I was in denial for a very long time that I had a mental illness. Being diagnosed with depression was pretty tough for me. Depression is a pretty mundane sort of diagnosis too. The others that followed were also pretty devastating.
I think some of the problem is how presentation of diagnoses are managed.
I accessed my diagnoses through my medical records. Somehow I was suppose to know I was anxious and depression by being told to take ad's.
The other stuff was in my records too. This was all before my GP showed me a letter a previous T had written (or copied from a text book). I remember that as he sat very close while I read it. I don't usually like people in my personal space but that was reassuring. It helped a lot initially but I was still extremely vulnerable.
It makes me wonder about current support as I am not that far off where I was back then. I've had 10 months of good support plus input from medhelp which has provided somewhat of a buffer.
Sorry, I digress. I was just thinking back to my earlier interactions with the mhs and my GP. Diagnoses can be very painful things for some people.
I agree. If a person has serious doubts or misgivings then they should get a second opinion. I think that a good doctor would support this.
Researching the illness can help. Talking to others with it can sometimes help.
I guess being aware also helps us to manage our condition.
Listing death as a potential side-effect wouldn't really endear anyone to take it.
I have a slightly different perception of psychiatrists and therefore I do challenge most things they say.
If you do have confidence in a doctor and their ability then I expect it is easier to trust their judgment.
Some doctors I believe shouldn't be in medicine and are only in psychiatry because they are complete failures themselves. I don't believe these doctors have the potential to help patients very much. And I think patients do go to be helped.
I was in denial for a very long time that I had a mental illness. Being diagnosed with depression was pretty tough for me. Depression is a pretty mundane sort of diagnosis too. The others that followed were also pretty devastating.
I think some of the problem is how presentation of diagnoses are managed.
I accessed my diagnoses through my medical records. Somehow I was suppose to know I was anxious and depression by being told to take ad's.
The other stuff was in my records too. This was all before my GP showed me a letter a previous T had written (or copied from a text book). I remember that as he sat very close while I read it. I don't usually like people in my personal space but that was reassuring. It helped a lot initially but I was still extremely vulnerable.
It makes me wonder about current support as I am not that far off where I was back then. I've had 10 months of good support plus input from medhelp which has provided somewhat of a buffer.
Sorry, I digress. I was just thinking back to my earlier interactions with the mhs and my GP. Diagnoses can be very painful things for some people.
I agree. If a person has serious doubts or misgivings then they should get a second opinion. I think that a good doctor would support this.
Researching the illness can help. Talking to others with it can sometimes help.
I guess being aware also helps us to manage our condition.
You may or may not be bipolar. It is possible that the doctor is right but it's possible to be wrong as well. None of us really can make a diagnosis or anything. My experiance was different I was one of those people diagnosised with one session. Sometimes I think he is wrong, but other times I think maybe I am.
And I know about medicion. I have anxiety when I try new meds. I've tried two meds that messed me up. So I know the feeling.
And I know about medicion. I have anxiety when I try new meds. I've tried two meds that messed me up. So I know the feeling.
HI THERE.
I DIDN'T GET SICK WHILE ABROAD. IN FACT THIS WAS THE PERIOD WHEN I WAS FEELING WONDERFUL. EVERYTHING WAS FUN, INTERESTING, AND I WAS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT ALL I WAS EXPOSED TO.
I CHOSE TO NOT TAKE THE NEW MED THAT WAS PRESCRIBED BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE A NEGATIVE REACTION, EVEN DEATH I READ ON THE BROCHURE. WELL I DIDN'T WANT TO BE IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY WITH THESE POSSIBILITIES.
WHEN I RETURNED I STILL FELT ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL. IT WAS ABOUT THREE WEEKS LATER THAT THINGS BEGAN TO CHANGE FOR ME. I STARTED TO FEEL IRRITABLE AND SHORT-FUSED. MY LEVEL OF STRESS CLIMBED DRAMATICALLY ESPECIALLY DUE TO OUTSIDE CIRCUMSTANCES. IT WAS THEN THAT I HAD THE PSYCHOTIC BREAK (SHORT-LIVED) AS WELL AS PARANOIA. AND MY DOCTOR GOT ME TO START THE NEW MEDICINE. I IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO FEEL BETTER.
I KNOW PEOPLE THINK THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE WHAT THEY ARE DIAGNOSED WITH, AND RESIST IT. BUT MOST PDOC. ARE PRETTY DEAD ON WITH THEIR DIAGNOSIS, ESPECIALLY BIPOLAR. THEY ARE EXTENSIVELY TRAINED FOR MENTAL ILLNESSES AND ARE MEDICAL DOCTORS AND EXPERIENCED. THEY ARE NOT STUPID. IF YOU THINK THAT HE IS WRONG, RATHER THAN IGNORING THE DIAGNOSIS, GET A SECOND OPINION. THEN WHEN YOU GET THE SAME DIAGNOSIS, IF YOU DO, START TAKING THE MEDICATIONS PRESCRIBED. YOU DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR A MANIC STATE OR A DEPRESSIVE CRASH TO TAKE PLACE. THESE ARE EXTREMES AND VERY MISERABLE TO PLAY WITH. TRUST YOUR DOCTORS. ALSO GET A BOOK ABOUT BIPOLAR ILLNESS AND READ UP ON IT. YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED THAT IT DESCRIBES YOUR SYMPTOMS PRETTY WELL. I TOO HAD MY DOUBTS AT FIRST, BUT I KNOW NOW THAT THE P.DOCS WERE DEAD ON WHEN I STARTED SUFFERING FROM THE BIPOLAR. THEY COULD SEE IT HAPPENING RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEIR EYES. I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE MY SYMPTOMS RIGHT AWAY. ONLY AFTER READING UP ON IT DID I START TO RECOGNIZE MYSELF AS HAVING THE BIPOLAR 1.
I DIDN'T GET SICK WHILE ABROAD. IN FACT THIS WAS THE PERIOD WHEN I WAS FEELING WONDERFUL. EVERYTHING WAS FUN, INTERESTING, AND I WAS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT ALL I WAS EXPOSED TO.
I CHOSE TO NOT TAKE THE NEW MED THAT WAS PRESCRIBED BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE A NEGATIVE REACTION, EVEN DEATH I READ ON THE BROCHURE. WELL I DIDN'T WANT TO BE IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY WITH THESE POSSIBILITIES.
WHEN I RETURNED I STILL FELT ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL. IT WAS ABOUT THREE WEEKS LATER THAT THINGS BEGAN TO CHANGE FOR ME. I STARTED TO FEEL IRRITABLE AND SHORT-FUSED. MY LEVEL OF STRESS CLIMBED DRAMATICALLY ESPECIALLY DUE TO OUTSIDE CIRCUMSTANCES. IT WAS THEN THAT I HAD THE PSYCHOTIC BREAK (SHORT-LIVED) AS WELL AS PARANOIA. AND MY DOCTOR GOT ME TO START THE NEW MEDICINE. I IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO FEEL BETTER.
I KNOW PEOPLE THINK THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE WHAT THEY ARE DIAGNOSED WITH, AND RESIST IT. BUT MOST PDOC. ARE PRETTY DEAD ON WITH THEIR DIAGNOSIS, ESPECIALLY BIPOLAR. THEY ARE EXTENSIVELY TRAINED FOR MENTAL ILLNESSES AND ARE MEDICAL DOCTORS AND EXPERIENCED. THEY ARE NOT STUPID. IF YOU THINK THAT HE IS WRONG, RATHER THAN IGNORING THE DIAGNOSIS, GET A SECOND OPINION. THEN WHEN YOU GET THE SAME DIAGNOSIS, IF YOU DO, START TAKING THE MEDICATIONS PRESCRIBED. YOU DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR A MANIC STATE OR A DEPRESSIVE CRASH TO TAKE PLACE. THESE ARE EXTREMES AND VERY MISERABLE TO PLAY WITH. TRUST YOUR DOCTORS. ALSO GET A BOOK ABOUT BIPOLAR ILLNESS AND READ UP ON IT. YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED THAT IT DESCRIBES YOUR SYMPTOMS PRETTY WELL. I TOO HAD MY DOUBTS AT FIRST, BUT I KNOW NOW THAT THE P.DOCS WERE DEAD ON WHEN I STARTED SUFFERING FROM THE BIPOLAR. THEY COULD SEE IT HAPPENING RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEIR EYES. I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE MY SYMPTOMS RIGHT AWAY. ONLY AFTER READING UP ON IT DID I START TO RECOGNIZE MYSELF AS HAVING THE BIPOLAR 1.
Very true.
I get the impression that some people are in the field of mh for the wrong reasons. More often than not these days I feel that the system has lost sight of the big picture (easy to do I guess in difficult times with lack of funding and high demand).
My impression is that some people (patients) just don't care. I understand it can be difficult in the context of mental illness but ... sometimes I can't grasp how some people can be so passive and uninformed about the illness they have been diagnosed with and the treatment they are receiving. I find it a bit frightening that some people don't challenge medical opinion. Not in a negative way but a self-preserving constructive way.
I take for granted that most health professionals would be proactive in our treatment planning and would not expect them to be either negative or neutral.
Maybe my expectations are too high and unrealistic.
I hate systems that have a revolving door policy and solve nothing (at least not in the long-term).
I think one can interpret positive mental health in many different ways.
On a medication front I would expect that to entail the lowest effective dose possible.
I think it could also mean looking at the 'life symptoms' without pathologizing them.
I don't either. We can guess as to it's meaning but it's always nice to have it explained. Sometimes I prefer to be spoon fed than have to think about things.
To Kathy. That was great advice.
Given lenore's situation I would challenge the diagnosis too.
I hope you didn't get sick overseas, that would have been hugely challenging.
I get the impression that some people are in the field of mh for the wrong reasons. More often than not these days I feel that the system has lost sight of the big picture (easy to do I guess in difficult times with lack of funding and high demand).
My impression is that some people (patients) just don't care. I understand it can be difficult in the context of mental illness but ... sometimes I can't grasp how some people can be so passive and uninformed about the illness they have been diagnosed with and the treatment they are receiving. I find it a bit frightening that some people don't challenge medical opinion. Not in a negative way but a self-preserving constructive way.
I take for granted that most health professionals would be proactive in our treatment planning and would not expect them to be either negative or neutral.
Maybe my expectations are too high and unrealistic.
I hate systems that have a revolving door policy and solve nothing (at least not in the long-term).
I think one can interpret positive mental health in many different ways.
On a medication front I would expect that to entail the lowest effective dose possible.
I think it could also mean looking at the 'life symptoms' without pathologizing them.
I don't either. We can guess as to it's meaning but it's always nice to have it explained. Sometimes I prefer to be spoon fed than have to think about things.
To Kathy. That was great advice.
Given lenore's situation I would challenge the diagnosis too.
I hope you didn't get sick overseas, that would have been hugely challenging.
While you may suddenly start feeling really good after stopping your medication, you may be in a hypomanic range, that can lead into a manic episode. You may think that you were misdiagnosed only because you are feeling so good, great, euphoric, in control of everything, energetic, and what have you. But this may be that you very much need to be on your medication! Keep your level of stress as even keel as possible as this can escalate you into a manic state. Also make sure you get enough sleep. By this, go to bed at a certain time, and in 8 hours wake up at a certain time. Maintain this schedule so you help prevent an all out manic episode.
After years on meds for Bipolar 1, I stopped the meds during overseas travel. I felt so good that I figured I had outgrown the Bipolar Disorder. In about 6 weeks I was into a psychotic manic phase. So don't kid yourself. K
After years on meds for Bipolar 1, I stopped the meds during overseas travel. I felt so good that I figured I had outgrown the Bipolar Disorder. In about 6 weeks I was into a psychotic manic phase. So don't kid yourself. K
Also, who ISNT a fan of positive mental health? I certainly dont like being the way I am, and dont know anyone who is dealing with a mental illness who wouldent be a fan of positive mental health. Positive mental health can come about several different ways. Some people need meds, some can make it through without them. I dont quite understand that comment?
The comment about positive mental health made me think.
I really hate doctors (or hate their philosophies) when they talk about managing symptoms. I like the idea of being able to advance (progress and move forward).
I hate doctors who prescribe medication or ect when psychotherapy may be more effective (especially when it comes back to lack of funding or negative (pessimistic) attitudes). Patients are people too.
My experience is that positive mental health is not the norm these days. At least not in my area. These are just my thoughts.
Positive mental health sounds like some of the material presented by Marsha Linehan. She says that patients want to get better and that they're doing the best they can at the time.
Not sure whether to post this or not.
I just don't see anything positive in our mental health care system at the moment.
Dedicated mh workers also seem to be smothered by dysfunctional systems.
I really hate doctors (or hate their philosophies) when they talk about managing symptoms. I like the idea of being able to advance (progress and move forward).
I hate doctors who prescribe medication or ect when psychotherapy may be more effective (especially when it comes back to lack of funding or negative (pessimistic) attitudes). Patients are people too.
My experience is that positive mental health is not the norm these days. At least not in my area. These are just my thoughts.
Positive mental health sounds like some of the material presented by Marsha Linehan. She says that patients want to get better and that they're doing the best they can at the time.
Not sure whether to post this or not.
I just don't see anything positive in our mental health care system at the moment.
Dedicated mh workers also seem to be smothered by dysfunctional systems.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There is no way I or anyone can make a long distance diagnosis, but I will say that frequently situations cause depression and symptoms and when the situation is resolved with time and effort the symptoms go away...that sounds like what you are saying, but there that does not mean its the whole story, and that depends on your history and the way you think about things...I am a fan of positive mental health....
Psychiatrists are like everyone else -- some are good, some are mediocre, some are bad. Bipolar is one of the most overly diagnosed mental ailment, particularly bipolar 2, which probably doesn't even exist but is a good excuse for doubling up on medications. If you feel good, I think that answers the question. I'm not bipolar and never have been, but had a shrink who kept trying to diagnose me as bipolar. Gave me one of those questionnaires that would have diagnosed anyone as bipolar. So yeah, you pdoc not could have been wrong, but since we know virtually nothing about the brain at this point in time, it's more than likely you were misdiagnosed. As Dr. Gould always says, it's not the diagnosis that's most important, it's how you get to where you feel better. And you have.
When you say biweekly, do yu mean once every two weeks or twice a week? It could mean both. My goodness, if she as seeing you twice a week, i'd sy she was the one who needs help. lol. but seriously, if you feel better right now then you felt on the medications, then I would suggest talking to her about it. Maybe she has you on too much. Sorry, wish I could help.
I think that twice weekly appointments for three months is pretty intensive and that that would give your doctor adequate time to perform an appropriate assessment.
Many psychiatrists will diagnose after as little as one 60 minute consult.
Some of the symptoms you mention seem compatible with the disorder.
I have no idea whether you have or haven't been misdiagnosed. I think this may be something you need to discuss with your doctor.
I'm sorry I couldn't give you the answer you were looking for.
Many psychiatrists will diagnose after as little as one 60 minute consult.
Some of the symptoms you mention seem compatible with the disorder.
I have no idea whether you have or haven't been misdiagnosed. I think this may be something you need to discuss with your doctor.
I'm sorry I couldn't give you the answer you were looking for.
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