How can I get the correct diagnosis?

Question

I've been treated for depression and generalise anxiety disorder, but I'm wondering if this is really what I've got. My doctor doesn't really have a clue - none of them in the practise seem to be very good with mental health issues.
From reading up online (bad idea I know!) it seems there is a possibility I have manic depression or Schizoaffective Disorder or possibly post traumatic stress disorder. I also have a form of OCD. How can I go about getting a real diagnosis? As I left treatment before, my doctor is hesistant to put my back in the system. All I've been offered is CBT and conselling, never anything to find out what is actually wrong. Any advice most welcome!

What I'm trying to ask, is how can I get a proffessional diagnosis?
My doctor will only offer conselling.
How can I see a physciatrist?

I was refered to the community mental health nursing team, who came and asked me lots of questions, but there response was that becuase I wasn't suicidal at that time, they wouldn't help me.

My doctor - just my family GP. Never been refered to a physcatrist.

Origamimark, why do you say that? I can see how you could come to that conclusion, but is it really worth mentioning? What if I am ill? What if I am unstable? Do you really think your comment would help?
Maybe this is why so many people suffer in silence and dont get help

Lass, I do want to get better. I don't really care what is wrong with me, I just want to be treated correctly. I've had bad reactions to the two types of medication I've been put on for depression. I just don't seem to be getting anywhere, I feel like I'm getting worse.
I just want to get better :)

Answer 1

Well, self diagnosis and internet diagnosis is a dangerous road to go down. You also need to think carefully about the results of a diagnosis of bipolar or schizoaffective disorder - a lifetime on some very nasty psychiatric drugs.

Now, it did seem from your earlier question that you may have had an anti-depressant induced mania, so you probably do need to see a psychiatrist, even if it only to confirm that you are OK. I'm not sure what the procedure is if you aren't getting anywhere with your GP, but you always have the opportunity to go private. My psychiatrist is private, and a first consultation is £125. Plan B is to to ask to change GP, of course.

Answer 2

If you feel you are getting nowhere with your gp, the only other option is to join a private walk-in health clinic (there are lots in major cities now - consultation is about £50 for 20 mins) - who can, if they consider appropriate, refer you to a psychiatrist - who will charge about £250 for an appointment. It might sound expensive, but it might be a good way out and get you the treatment you need. Once you have a diagnosis you can go back to your local mental health team and they will have something concrete to go on - unfortunately because of funding things only tend to get dealt with in the public system when desperate - which if you have manic depression = may be too late. That said, you should never diagnose yourself - trust in an independent psychiatrist - good luck.

Answer 3

The tingling points toward some kind of nerve damage. There may be a possibility of a tumor of some kind - not necessarily cancer - could be pressing on a nerve. The stabbing suggests that something is immediately irritating the nerve. An example of this could be a nerve rubbing against something, like a sharp edge of a bone. Has the patient broken a rib or other bone before this started? The numbness indicates nerve damage or destruction in affected areas. This damage can be at any point between the affected area and the brain. The slight bloating suggests to me, (I am NOT medically trained), a build-up of fluid, either blood or lymph fluid. This could be just under the skin or farther into the body. This could be caused by a leaking vessel. Again, if this build-up could be pressing on a nerve. (Blood poisons nerves - I've had it happen to me!) Good luck! I pray that a complete cure can be obtained. God Bless.

Answer 4

CBT is Excellent Therapy for all of those so go to the sessions IMHO. Plus Diagnoses are just names they put on conditions so you can get treatment.. Most Doc's don't have a clue about Mental Illness anyways (they were never taught). Only recently has Mental Illness has become really an "acceptable" speciality. By 2020, in Canada 1 in 4 people will have been challenged by mental.

Answer 5

Hi :-) ! I would suppose a dcotor really is best. But please do not get obsessed with wanting a diagnosis. What does it mean to you to have it? Are you ready to go into therapy? What would you do if you had the diagnosis? Not everyone thinks the same but I have become really obsessed (have got OCD amongst others LOL) in getting a diagnosis and, after having been diagnosed with borderline and being okay with it, I could really smash my new one LOL. You are not your diagnosis... have made so many "personality disorder tests" and none of them came out with the diagnosis I have got now. I suppose everyone shows one or another symptom or more of a disorder, but I assume it is to what extent it shows in your daily life, and I suppose only a mental health doctor can evaluate that over a longer period of time. Good luck and take care!!!

Answer 6

Hi chuck, if you've been offered CBT then the chances are that you'll be sent to a competent, objective clinician with good assessment and diagnostic skills and high quality supervision.

They can probably offer you some good advise and will talk you through the options, go back to your GP and ask for a referral.

I have to say here that most psychiatrist are awful diagnosticians the research into diagnostic accuracy between them is appalling

Answer 7

Now what exactly is the problem here, are you more interested in getting well or getting a high sounding diagnosis? No offence intended sweetheart, but i think your doctors are in order in recommending counselling for you and the truth is, you can help them by telling them what you are holding on to that may be depressing you, that way the counsellor may have somehing to work with. Please quit searching the internet for a diagnosis because you are not trained to put the textbook and clinical info together for an accurate diagnosis. I wish you a speedy recovery

Answer 8

Your doctor should have referred you to a local Mental Health Team for assessment, it shouldnt just be dealt with in the doctors practice. Bear in mind that the term 'depression' is used loosely to describe your symptoms-under the diagnosis 'depression', you may experience visual or auditory hallucinations, blackouts, and paranoia, amongst many other symptoms. If you havnt been referred or you really feel your doctor is incorrect, you could get in touch with the psychiatric unit at your local hospital, you maybe able to admit yourself for assessment. Good luck hun, hope this helped.

Answer 9

I know what you're feeling. For the longest time I didn't know what my problems were and I finally went to a psychiatrist and he diagnosed me Schizoaffective Bipolar. It brought a lot of closure to myself and I was finally able to get the correct treatment. Preciously my counsellor had tried putting me on Lexapro but I knew that wasn't what I needed. Look up in your phonebook for psychiatric help and you should be able to find one with no problem.

Answer 10

What Doctor is this that you say is clueless?

GP? Or psych? Usually a good psychiatrist will try to get a diagnosis. Maybe you need to find a better one.