Posted by katekite on May 27, 2002, at 11:49:26
In reply to Re: if I'd known then what I know now.... » katekite, posted by JonW on May 27, 2002, at 7:53:36
Hi Jon,
I wanted to have a diagnosis. I wanted to understand why depression didn't explain how hard life was and had always been. Post diagnosis there was infinite support available on the net. I told my parents and they stopped asking, finally, when was I going to get a job. They started asking if I was happy. All of that seemed so right at the time even though, for me, it was the wrong diagnosis.
I probably would still be on mood stabilizers if not for having to switch psychiatrists because the one I liked (because he was nice and friendly and sweet and returned my calls immediately) stopped private practice. The new one said he didn't know if he liked my diagnosis. By this point I was physically ill and he couldn't diagnose anything with someone physically ill. Eventually went off mood stabilizers and felt more normal. Stayed off everything for 3 months. Realized I had been actually worse on mood stabilizers than with nothing. Then started the hunt for the right diagnosis.
This time did lots of tests with me OFF meds. Correct diagnosis eventually resulted.
Advice: if you don't really understand your diagnoses do three things. One, think back to what you were like as a kid, then research what all these disorders look like in kids (include everything, aspergers and autism and learning disabilities, bipolar and personality disorders, separation anxiety, ODD, etc). What was your personality most like?
Secondly, talk it over with a doc, and aim to reduce your meds to the minimum that allows you to function and not be depressed or otherwise irrational, then take the MMPI and any other suitable tests to make sure nothing is being missed. Have a good friend evaluate you on a bunch of internet quizzes: we see ourselves differently than others.
Thirdly, get more than a normal medical workup: thyroid and regular bloodwork is the minimum, but early Cushing's, early Addison's, CFS, migraines (which don't even have to be headaches), etc could all contribute to mental problems. Why not find out? Do it all at least once in your life. Get an EEG. Get an MRI. If you can convince a doctor to do it it is most likely a good test for you. Don't get false hopes up, just decide to rule out everything physical.
Don't do what I did: don't get a diagnosis because you need one. Get a diagnosis (or two) that explains you completely.
kate
poster:katekite
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020525/msgs/107730.html