How to work with my doctor to get accurate diagnosis?

Question

I was diagnosed as clinically depressed upon my release from a psychiatric hospital in 1999. I also got a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder from two major car accidents in five months. After doing some research online, I feel that I fit much better in other diagnosis categories, including bipolar/manic depression, borderline personality disorder, and a bunch of other personality disorders. I am currently on a break from cognitive behavioral therapy (it's called schema) due to a move, and I take 100mg of Zoloft. Anytime I've been on meds, it's only been one type, and it helps for a while but then wears off. Zoloft has been pretty good to me, I've been on it for well over a year and have felt more level for the most part. But I still have these horrible highs and lows, and I have alot of suicidal thoughts, which while I don't feel that I'm suicidal is annoying to have pictures of you killing yourself in your head all the time.

Answer 1

I think you did a great job of explaining yourself. I am surprised no one ever invited you to try a mood stabilizer. It could change your life. I would do exactly what you did here: Explain your symptoms (both ends of the spectrum),the duration, etc. If you've been in therapy and are still cycling, then you're right: depression is obviously not all that's going on. The therapy would certainly help with behavior and thinking patterns and is of permanent value, but if you are still suffering, definetly ask straight up for a chance to try out one of the mood stabilizers. You're doing the right thing by learning about yourself, just be careful not to get so caught up in your disease that your life goes by you. Your disease is not you, but is just a part of you that you manage like any other health condition. I wish you the best.

Answer 2

My mother is bipolar so I know what you're going through...not personally, but living with her for 19 yrs of my life I have an acute understanding of the type of stress you must be under.

Usually what her doctor does for her is switch her off either on a quarterly or bi-annual basis between the Prozac and Zoloft. It is to my understanding that your system builds a tolerance to these meds to where they don't work effectively anymore. By switching off between the two it helps lessen the tolerance affect it has your body.

Try suggesting this to your doctor. It maybe that you also need counseling along with the medication. So look into that too. Also, if you feel your current doctor isn't "doing his/her job" you may want to get another opinion from a different doctor.

Good Luck hun...I'm sorry for your condition I know it must be very difficult to live with.

Answer 3

As with a lot of anti depressants, if they alter your thoughts enough to bring on suicidal thoughts (or urges) you are supposed to talk to your Dr. There is something that it is doing to your brain that is not just balancing you out, but causing abnormal thoughts. You seem very eloquent in your way of laying out your life and history. I think is takes persistence with the Dr. which means possibly some psych. care over the next several months, where they will see changes, you can lay out how you are feeling and just verify normal for you vs. abnormal due to meds. The hardest part is when you d not have a Dr. that takes the time to listen and figure out your problem or make adjustments. They are so willing to give you meds, give you more, try something new. Sometimes it can be a small minor fix that does not require throwing your life in chaos. Make sure you have a Dr. you feel like you can work with. Take care of yourself, and congratulations for working so hard to get control of your life. It is hard, and I wish you he best.

Answer 4

If your doctor is not willing to listen to your concerns, it is time to get another doctor. My son (who is 9) was diagnosed as having early onset bipolar, and it took 9 years to get that diagnosis. Don't give up.
There are always online support groups and there might be someone in your area in those chat areas who has a caring, doctor who actually LISTENS to his patients.
If you feel that the med's aren't right for you then chances are they aren't and you should listen to what your body tells you.

Answer 5

first things first,talk with your doc be honest as possible, back up your findings online print things out see if the doctors is really helping you or not, if you find that your doc isnt listening, CHANGE doctors!! secondly, if youre having highs and lows, youre probably bipolar. again let your doc know this. id say dont stress to much on your suicidal thougths, doctors (that ive come in contact with) like to admit you if they hear that; if you decide to start acting on them tho, tell someone!! as far as ptsd, i suffer from that as well; theres not a lot of meds out there legally qualified to help with that, so goodl uck to you!

Answer 6

stand up for your self and tell the doctor he needs to listen to you or with will get another doctor, that is your right tell the doc everything , he can't read you mind or tell what you are what you should be fell. If you don't like the medication you are on tell him you want off. You have to be a advacate for your self

Answer 7

A wild guess: Could those suicidal images symbolize something different? I am in no way a professional,but my uneducated guess would be that there is something or someone you don't want in your life anymore, but it would be really upsetting to admit it. So your mind is substituting you for that someone/something.

If you realize that this is the case, I bet that the images would stop.

remember I am making the suggestion and I am not professional

Answer 8

did you tell your doctor all these things you just told us? that might be a start.

Answer 9

Okay, I feel for you, but I don't know.