Diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 15 minutes?!
Question: My psychiatrist isn't taking new patients but he has 4 phyisician's assistants (PAs) with master's degrees working under him. They can all prescribe meds. I made an appointment with one of the PAs and described all my symptoms to her. 15 minutes later, she wrote me a prescription for Depakote ER because she thinks I'm bipolar. The medicine seems to help (I've been taking it for 6 days now) but do you think I received a proper diagnosis? After all, they are physician assistants working at a PSYCHIATRY clinic. It's better than my primary care physician giving me meds for something he knows little of.
Answers: My psychiatrist isn't taking new patients but he has 4 phyisician's assistants (PAs) with master's degrees working under him. They can all prescribe meds. I made an appointment with one of the PAs and described all my symptoms to her. 15 minutes later, she wrote me a prescription for Depakote ER because she thinks I'm bipolar. The medicine seems to help (I've been taking it for 6 days now) but do you think I received a proper diagnosis? After all, they are physician assistants working at a PSYCHIATRY clinic. It's better than my primary care physician giving me meds for something he knows little of.
This may not be your final diagnosis. It is preliminary to try and get you some help until the psych can see you.
This is very common practice since we have too little psychs. I don't entirely agree with it - however, for people who may be on the verge of becoming suicidal or on the verge of other risky behaviors, it allows for meds to be prescribed more quickly and hopefully avert a tragedy while a patient is waiting to be seen by a psych. The PAs can also refer for community supports or hospitalization if necessary. Before we had PA seeing patients, there were horror stories of patients meeting with jail, abuse, or death while stuck waiting to see a doc.
How bizarre... The PA must have gone by previous records from your former therapist? I would seek a second opinion from another licensed trained psychiatrist that specializes in bi-polar disorders... Though, the meds may work on a short-term basis it's best to have meds and therapy... I would seek counsel from another doctor....
i understand completely and no i don't think a proper diagnosis can be made in less then 15 minutes especially in psychiatry !!
i have had more diagnosis then i have issues !! and as many different prescriptions to wall paper a small room !!
for my survival i no longer seek out medical psychiatric 'help' they really don't know what they are doing
I would not call this a diagnosis and would certainly seek a second opinion.
wow, your story sounded so familiar to me, about 4&1/2 years ago i went to duke to see a doc and on my first visit i told her my symptoms, i told her my son was bipolar and that i just had a baby about 2 months ago, she handed me a quiestionair of 20 questions, i filled it out and she said i had bipolar, i left that day with depakote,zoloft and ativan, i took all meds as prescribed and thats when i become really crazy,i was spaced out,loopy,couldn't sleep or concentrate, i came off all my meds and got another doctor and actually all i had was post pardum,the doc should have noticed it was post pardum because she was once a obgyn who went back to school to a be psychiatrist specializing in post pardum women. my son does have bipolar and i believe he inherited it from my dad's side of the family, so yes i was done the same way but my diagnosis took 30 minutes, she knew nothing of my background, my family history, all she had was my symptoms and the fact my son is bipolar, i think because he has it she assumed i must have it also,i think you need another opinion, it takes longer than that to dig into your life and your family history, good luck yo you.
If you don't feel comfortable with the diagnosis, a second opinion is probably your best option. I've had amazing PAs work with me, but never with a psychiatric issue. They usually focused on general care.
The diagnosis of bipolar can be difficult. My psychologist took over an hour with me (she's very thorough) for the initial appointment and spent several appointments working with me to adjust my medication. Additionally, she discussed warning signs of a manic or depressive episode so I would know when to make an emergency appointment for a medication adjustment.
I do think it's odd that you would be prescribed Depakote based on a PA "thinking" you are bipolar. The side effects of bipolar treatments can be harsh so medical professionals usually want to be sure of a diagnosis before placing a person on a medication.
When my family doctor suspected bipolar, she referred to psychiatrist rather than making a diagnosis she was unsure of. You may want to make your own referral to a psychiatrist who has time to be sure of your diagnosis.
Depakote is a very liver unfriendly medication. Please get a second opinion. Good luck
Not a biploar diagnosis, but yes after a 15 minute interview being handed a prescription for a mind altering medication. I think that if medication is the route you're interesting in taking and that seems to be working, then continue on. Make sure that you follow the directions on taking the medication because going off can make things worse. Make sure you also start seeing a psychologist/therapist in coordination because medication is not the only treatment out there and works best when paired with therapy.