I was refered to a psychiatrist 3 yrs. ago and after 15 min. of talking he diagnosed me as hypomanic (a very mild form of bipolar). I took Lithobid for the entire 3 yrs. and finally realized that it just doesn't work. The dose has been changed so many times and my symptoms don't even match this diagnosis, plus I was 20 at the beginning of my treatment.
Basically, I feel like I was misdiagnosed and that I need some counselling on past issues, maybe I have some anxiety and get depressed sometimes. I really believe I am not hypomanic and I got off the meds. 8 months ago. I've been ok, but have stress and unresolved anxiety. Is it possible I was misdiagnosed? I was so young and I've changed so much since then. My psychiatrist tells me that I will relapse and my psychologist is helping me work on coping with stress and anxiety. What do you think?
2006-10-05 09:14:07 · 11 answers · asked by nurse_ren 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I do not think that any psychiatrist can diagnose you within fifteen minutes. You are the best judge as to what is helping. Is your psychologist supportive? Can he or she help you in getting a correct diagnosis? If your psychiatrist is not open to the possibility that you were misdiagnosed, I would look into changing doctors.
Good luck to you. Don't let anyone label you if you feel they are incorrect.
2006-10-05 11:04:48 · answer #1 · answered by Patti C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is very possible that you may have been misdiagnosed. Speak to your psychologist about perhaps referring you to another psychiatrist. Psychological disorders are diagnosed with reference to a set of guidelines put forth by psychiatric professionals which are collected in a medical journal. This journal periodically gets updated as new research is conducted. However, many psychological disorders have overlapping symptoms, and some professionals go with a "gut" instinct when diagnosing a patient. To me, 15 minutes is not enough time to get an accurate diagnoses. Get a second opinion. As somebody who suffers from depression and anxiety myself, I wish you the best.
2006-10-05 16:20:49 · answer #2 · answered by atomicfrog81 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is very possible that you were misdiagnosed. This happened to my fiance. He was misdiagnosed as bipolar and was put on lithium, when in fact he had a closed head injury with bleeding in his brain. The lithium aggrivated and possibly caused another issue with his brain. Having gone through this, I would recommend that you see a psychologist. This is a counselor. They cannot write prescriptions. I would be open and honest about your issues, including your medical history. If they feel that you need to see a psychiatrist, they can refer you to one. I hope this helps, and good luck. If you need a referral to a psychologist, talk to your primary care doctor, or your regular family doctor. They should help point you in the right direction.
2006-10-05 16:38:53 · answer #3 · answered by iceprincess_12_04 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very possible that you were misdiagnosed. 15 minutes is not
nearly enough time to diagnose someone. It sounds like you are on the right track with your psychologist in dealing with past issues and with the stress and anxiety. He or she probably would
be able to give you a much more adequate diagnoses especially
after working with him or her for a while.
2006-10-05 16:28:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Therapy is great, but recovery will be maximized with the right medication.
You should seek the advice of a psychiatrist affiliated with a teaching hospital (the ones with a medical school), where they will take more time with you and get the right diagnosis.
Bipolar disorder will go into remission (a period when you have no symptoms), but always raises its ugly head when stress gets the best of you. It can't be messed around with.
Some people with the mildest forms don't cycle for many years, so you still may have it. Get the right treatment, and your life will improve.
2006-10-05 16:23:51 · answer #5 · answered by holey moley 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the medication wasn't controlling your symptoms, you should have talked to the doctor about changing to another medication all together. If he wouldn't, then you change doctors. You have to be completely honest about the symptoms you are still having. Also, the meds will only do so much.....therapy is an absolute must. You might try working with the psycologist right now--if he/she thinks that medication would be beneficial, then they will make sure you get something other than the Litho.
2006-10-05 16:22:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There isn't much you can do about it now except seek a new Dr. and get a fresh opinion.
It could have been a misdiagnosis, maybe not. Seek a new Dr. that will treat you for what you are conflicted with now.
Good Luck to you.
2006-10-05 16:38:07 · answer #7 · answered by donyafs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From your mode of writing you sound a bit like manics I've known. Assumng you know better then the doctor is a common symptom of manic activity. You people go off your meds and wind up in the hospital or psych ward because manic psychotic episodes..
Get a second opinion if you don't believe your current shrink and start doc hopping like most manics do until they get the answer they want to hear.
DUH.
I've seen enough of you to know one when I see it.
2006-10-05 16:26:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It' s easy to write a prescription for 'what ails you'....too bad too....you probably are correct about yourself...go to another doctor maybe that might listen to you more closely...for them to tell you you will relapse is horrible...I personally would Pray to Jesus and God...and ask for Their divine intervention in your life and see what True healing really is...you will find that you will get better and have something to actually live for...xo
2006-10-05 16:18:28 · answer #9 · answered by MotherKittyKat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doctors very readily throw labels and pills at you. It helps in some ways, but they're not CURING anything.
I can only recommend you resolve the problem within. You are the source of your problems.
2006-10-05 17:55:59 · answer #10 · answered by unseen_force_22 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋