why is it so hard for a pdr to diagnose bipolar?

Posted , 5 users are following.

Iv been under a pdr on & off for 20 years ..at 1st tried to say I had pd which I never & wouldn't agree to it. Then chronic depression /severe depression which I have & still do suffer with .. my daughter has had to live with the way I am for many years the crazy highs & the really bad lows.. suicide thoughts overdoses & all the pdr would do was up my meds .. it took for me to be pregnant to get real help .. yet again tried to say pd ..my daughter would not have it she done alot of research & realised I had bipolar 2. After thinking I had scitzophrenia (sorry nt sure of spelling ) with the moods ect..so for the past 3yrs iv been medicated properly for the 1st time . But on my reports it states bipolar disorder & severe depression? ? I really don't understand why.. I seem to fear my pdr & feel I can't question her.. can any1 shine some light please .. thankyou

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    Can you ask for a mental health assessment with a different psychiatrist. . If shes unapproachable it makes it so difficult to get properly diagnosed. It's taken me two years to get cyclothymia (bipolar rapid cycling moods) diagnosed. It's so frustrating . But mine hasn't known me that long to be fair on her. Like you my mood swings have a huge impact on those closest. I'm glad your daughter sticks up for you. That says how much she cares ?

    • Posted

      H I'm gonna write a letter & ask for a new pdr I feel like she never listens or even shuts me down while trying to explain something. Really hard I dread going there. It was a top consultant that diagnosed me at the mental health hospital, he left so was given her .she has some1 elses file out each time i go tells me off for not having my bloods done, changing my meds or calling me another womans name then realises.. yet the letter I have to write can only state I don't think we connect may I have a diff pdr ??

  • Posted

    It's schizophrenia I think. Bipolar is the third mental stage after depression and then schizophrenia.  So as you progress through life you might reach the third stage.

    • Posted

      If you nicely confront your doctor she will remember you. Why are you afraid to talk to her
    • Posted

      Iv seen her every 3months for 3yrs. She makes me feel like a complete loser.. makes feel really bad because the meds havnt worked.. I had such bad side effects off mirt she shut me off ..I only got 1 out & that was the weight.. she said never heard of such thing ..what are we suposed to pt u on now. In Which she said venlafaxine which I was terrified about as she wouldn't put me on this before mirt .. I got really up set I have a 3 yr old ..I need to do my best for.. I said others on lithium take citrolpram can I try that pls no she replied we dnt have much call for it here . ..I just sat there ..she looked at me & said we'll? I didnt realise the app was over ..I'd just told her about just wanting to die ..how I feel I already have at times..1 time I brought up child abuse & she said bye ..I dnt no maybe it's just her manner ..I'm not comfortable at all.. I get in such a state seeing her .. & considering the state I was in my next app isn't until 8 months later .. like others my life is so hard at times living in my head iv cut myself off from every1 bar my daughter .. she knows this ..

    • Posted

      Yes. It does seem you need somebody new. And your appointment s seem so far apart. Do you have a therapist too..
    • Posted

      No if I have a problem I'm to ring her secretary or go the doctor . I went to mindfulness group therapy not so long ago found I couldn't concentrate & felt really agitated ..it was a very small room ..you wernt aloud to speak about your own experiences if you did you got shut down again. Pretty uncomfortable for the person ..

    • Posted

      One on one counseling is more helpful. How can. You get one on one contact with another professional
  • Posted

    Sounds like your Doc needs some meds.  She is obviously delusional in not knowing that major depression is a diagnostic criterion for a bipolar diagnosis, after all, it used to be called "Manic-Depressive Disorder" for a very good reason.

    Get a new doc as soon as you can.  I guarantee that that simple action will make you feel much, much better.

    One last thing, if you're having "crazy highs", which sounds like manic episodes, you may actually have bipolar 1. 

    Good luck, and remember never go off your meds, no matter how well you feel.

    • Posted

      Thankyou doug.. life' is hard enough without her making me feel like she does. At times I think she just sees me as a failure which makes me believe I dint need my meds.. Iv come off them a couple of times because of this .took to ages to get well again.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.