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 Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:03 pm
My psychiatrist is vascillating between Bipolar II and Depression with Anxiety. He says I might be Bipolar, and I don't really know how to respond. My therapist is being kind of noncommittal.
I know diagnosis can be vague when you're on the edge of a few different definitions. I'm not going to go into detailed symptoms because I don't want you to diagnose me. But how do I handle my psychiatrist? Is it reasonable for him to say, "We'll just put depression on the forms, and try to treat the symptoms without worrying about labeling it." [summary, not actual quote]? I feel like he's ignoring some of the symptoms I have because I don't know how to explain them clearly.
Also, I'm concerned that he's kind of...absent minded. He's a little older. Once he forgot to write down anything about our last session, like the change in the drugs he was giving me, and completely forgot what we were doing. Twice he's just left important information off of prescriptions he wrote for me. Things like that. Maybe this is normal?
Should I try to be pushier about the stuff I feel like he's ignoring (this is very hard for me; I'm intimidated by authority figures)? Should I get a second opinion?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks! heart
And as always, my heart goes out to those who are suffering.
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 3:19 pm
I would definitely push him a little bit if he's forgetting things. Also, it's his job to diagnose you, but his difficulty seems to be in interpreting your symptoms. Is there a way you could articulate your feelings a bit more? Are you shy and indecisive around him? Are you intimidated by him? If so, I think you should tell him. That way you can "clear the air" and perhaps then you can relax and be a bit more articulate about your feelings.
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 8:23 am
I agree with Conan The Barbie Doll. Although I think if that doesn't work and you're still not happy, see someone else.
My psychiatrist was also vague about diagnosing me with bipolar II disorder instead of depression, but in the end it was more like he was just being careful not to label me something I'm not. It is a common mis-diagnosis when it comes to these two.
Your psychiatrist being forgetful is an issue though. What if he forgets a vital symptom you told him about in a previous session, that could change your diagnosis?
See how it goes, but if you're not happy, remember that you're the one paying him to do you a service. You don't have to stay with someone who isn't working for you.
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