Not so sure it's bipolar disorder?!
Question: Not so sure it's bipolar disorder!?
I'm sure that half of you are going to jump to the conclusion that I'm in denial and just don't want to take meds, but I just started seeing a new PMHNP, who within 10 minutes of my initial screening said very declaratively that I definitely had Bipolar II, when I had gone into the appointment to treat dysthymia!. Everything that I have read about Bipolar II has said that you can't diagnose it that quickly, and many of the symptoms of Bipolar II don't match the symptoms I have, which more closely resemble dysthymia!. I feel very pressured to go on medication for Bipolar Disorder, which I am very uncomfortable with, especially since I am supposed to go on Lithium, which is not supposed to be used if you have a thyroid problem!. When I brought this up to the PMNHP, she was really annoyed and said that treating Bipolar was more important than treating hypothyroidism!. I don't feel comfortable with her attitude or diagnosis, but I am concerned that she's determined to make it stick!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
First of all, you have the right to get a second (or third or fourth!.!.!.!.) opinion, so don't feel pressured by this nurse practitioner!. Bipolar disorder does require a long period (up to 10 years in some cases) to diagnose, and usually involves a psychiatrist and a GP!. 10 minutes to diagnose any mental illness is unheard of in the mainstream medical community!. A 10 minute consult might lead to further determination of bipolar, but without documented history, how can any true professional diagnose!? Its just not done!.
Another red flag for me - lithium is still used, but there are many other pharmaceutical treatments for bipolar that have less side effects, and to say that treating one disorder at the risk of complicating another is downright dangerous!.
If you are restricted to seeing a PMHNP by your HMO, try to see another one!. If you have the option, get a referral to a psychiatrist, even if it means going through your local community mental health unit!. Bipolar disorder needs to be treated, but you want to be sure that's what you have first!.
ADDED DETAILS:
For everyone who has referred to this person's medical practitioner as a 'doctor', they are actually a "Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner"!. I don't mean to slag NPs, but the fact is, they are NOT doctors!. They serve a valuable role in medicine, but are far from being qualified enough to make diagnoses on major mental (or physiological) health matters!. They are supposed to be the first line practitioners who refer to a higher level when they recognize symptoms best treated by a doctor!. It is irresponsible for a NP to prescribe mood altering medication based on a short consultation!. This is part of the reason that bipolar is so over-diagnosed!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Another red flag for me - lithium is still used, but there are many other pharmaceutical treatments for bipolar that have less side effects, and to say that treating one disorder at the risk of complicating another is downright dangerous!.
If you are restricted to seeing a PMHNP by your HMO, try to see another one!. If you have the option, get a referral to a psychiatrist, even if it means going through your local community mental health unit!. Bipolar disorder needs to be treated, but you want to be sure that's what you have first!.
ADDED DETAILS:
For everyone who has referred to this person's medical practitioner as a 'doctor', they are actually a "Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner"!. I don't mean to slag NPs, but the fact is, they are NOT doctors!. They serve a valuable role in medicine, but are far from being qualified enough to make diagnoses on major mental (or physiological) health matters!. They are supposed to be the first line practitioners who refer to a higher level when they recognize symptoms best treated by a doctor!. It is irresponsible for a NP to prescribe mood altering medication based on a short consultation!. This is part of the reason that bipolar is so over-diagnosed!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
As always, if you're not comfortable with a diagnosis, get a second opinion!.
Or, you can just flat out say that you don't want to treat something that you're not sure you have!. Present your case against having bipolar disorder, and ask her why she thinks you have it!. In the end, it's your decision, not hers!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Or, you can just flat out say that you don't want to treat something that you're not sure you have!. Present your case against having bipolar disorder, and ask her why she thinks you have it!. In the end, it's your decision, not hers!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Maybe try going to a new doctor!. Every doctor sees things in a different way, so perhaps the next doctor you try could feel the same way you do, then you are both happy!
If you are convinced that you aren't bipolar, then don't take the medicine- the PMNHP isn't your boss, and you can do whatever you want!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
If you are convinced that you aren't bipolar, then don't take the medicine- the PMNHP isn't your boss, and you can do whatever you want!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Get a second opinion!.
Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
GET A NEW PMHMPWww@Answer-Health@Com
everyone nowadays is being diagnosed as bipolar i could tell you a very personal story about a false diagnosis of bi polar no you are right don't just jump in and say oh yeah and fill yourself up on these drugs that can be very detrimental to your mental and physical health i challenged this diagnosis on my grand daughter the doctor and his crew gave it some more study and discontinued with that diagnosis and with the heavy duty meds they had put her on she had quit taking the meds on her own without telling anyone by the time she told me she had been off them for a week when she went back for consoling we told the counselor what she had done and i told the counselor what i saw as far as my grand daughter mental health was concerned they did not give her a new prescription and changed their initial diagnosis to depression and ADD she has not been back on the pills thank god the story has much more detail than this but the bottom line is check out this diagnosis well before taking any medsWww@Answer-Health@Com
Bipolar has been statistically proven to be over-diagnosed by doctors like the one you just went to!.
Bipolar really can't be diagnosed without a long period of evaluation, and several psychiatric tests!.
This doctor was irresponsible!. Find a second opinion!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Bipolar really can't be diagnosed without a long period of evaluation, and several psychiatric tests!.
This doctor was irresponsible!. Find a second opinion!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I have bipolar II and was very, very, very hypomanic when I say my psychiatrist!. In fact, an earlier one had already pronounced me bpII over the phone (yeh, much of the reason why I left)!. My therapist referred me to her and probably said that I was very, very hypomanic!. Still, she too a full intake for an hour before she decided for sure!. I like my pdoc a lot!.
Go see another psychiatrist, preferably one who specializes in mood disorders!. I would just scratch yours from the list!. When dysthymic, no, you can't make a 10 minute diagnosis!. AND, Lithium is far from the only med!. In fact, Lamictal would be as good of a choice since it has the most antidepressant properties!. Given the thyroid issue, it'd be the better one IMO!. Besides, a good doc will give you some input into med selection (unless you are in bad shape)!. Also, it's a big diagnosis that comes with meds for life!. If you have it but are not comfortable with the diagnosis, you are not apt to be med compliant and that would really hurt you in the end!. It is a progressive illness left untreated!. So go get a proper evaluation from someone you can respect and trust knows her/his job!. Hopefully, the proper dx will be something more easily treated!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Go see another psychiatrist, preferably one who specializes in mood disorders!. I would just scratch yours from the list!. When dysthymic, no, you can't make a 10 minute diagnosis!. AND, Lithium is far from the only med!. In fact, Lamictal would be as good of a choice since it has the most antidepressant properties!. Given the thyroid issue, it'd be the better one IMO!. Besides, a good doc will give you some input into med selection (unless you are in bad shape)!. Also, it's a big diagnosis that comes with meds for life!. If you have it but are not comfortable with the diagnosis, you are not apt to be med compliant and that would really hurt you in the end!. It is a progressive illness left untreated!. So go get a proper evaluation from someone you can respect and trust knows her/his job!. Hopefully, the proper dx will be something more easily treated!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Hello,
There is a little bit ambiguity about the use of "thyroid problem" and "dysthymia"!. Dysthymia, a depressive mood disorder not as intense as major depression, is not necessarily a thyroid problem!. A thyroid problem can be directly and quickly diagnosed via a blood test!. Bipolar disorder, like dysthymia, is a mood disorder, and there is no clear-cut way of diagnosing it!. However, I have also noticed the tendency in mental health professionals to quickly diagnose not-so-easily-categorizable behaviors as BPD!. They have to categorize it somehow, you know, and that seems to be a popular categorization these days!.
If you are concerned about a thyroid problem, then I would request/demand a blood test before starting on lithium or any other BPD medication!. However, as to whether you have dysthymia or BPD or another mood disorder, since we do not know the precise biological basis for every mood disorder, separating amongst mood disorders can be quite difficult!. Then again, you may know yourself best (mood disorders do not always preclude self-awareness)!. The main difference between BPD and a purely depressive mood disorder is of course the occurrence of manic episodes!. And, if you are certain that you do not have a special disposition towards mania, then your feeling about your mental health professional may indeed be valid!. In any case, first clear the thyroid issue, then discuss the latter!.
Best of luck!.
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Edit: Since you add that you definitely have a thyroid disorder, then you are all the more justified in not following this PMNHP's prescription!. And, you are right that *given the certainty of a thyroid disorder*, if you have depressive symptoms and no obvious manic symptoms *then* it is much more likely that you have dysthymia rather than BPD!. You sound like you are really well-aware and objective of your own situation, so do not let someone force a medication on you if you are having any doubts! She cannot legally do so anyway, and just get another professional opinion!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
There is a little bit ambiguity about the use of "thyroid problem" and "dysthymia"!. Dysthymia, a depressive mood disorder not as intense as major depression, is not necessarily a thyroid problem!. A thyroid problem can be directly and quickly diagnosed via a blood test!. Bipolar disorder, like dysthymia, is a mood disorder, and there is no clear-cut way of diagnosing it!. However, I have also noticed the tendency in mental health professionals to quickly diagnose not-so-easily-categorizable behaviors as BPD!. They have to categorize it somehow, you know, and that seems to be a popular categorization these days!.
If you are concerned about a thyroid problem, then I would request/demand a blood test before starting on lithium or any other BPD medication!. However, as to whether you have dysthymia or BPD or another mood disorder, since we do not know the precise biological basis for every mood disorder, separating amongst mood disorders can be quite difficult!. Then again, you may know yourself best (mood disorders do not always preclude self-awareness)!. The main difference between BPD and a purely depressive mood disorder is of course the occurrence of manic episodes!. And, if you are certain that you do not have a special disposition towards mania, then your feeling about your mental health professional may indeed be valid!. In any case, first clear the thyroid issue, then discuss the latter!.
Best of luck!.
-----
Edit: Since you add that you definitely have a thyroid disorder, then you are all the more justified in not following this PMNHP's prescription!. And, you are right that *given the certainty of a thyroid disorder*, if you have depressive symptoms and no obvious manic symptoms *then* it is much more likely that you have dysthymia rather than BPD!. You sound like you are really well-aware and objective of your own situation, so do not let someone force a medication on you if you are having any doubts! She cannot legally do so anyway, and just get another professional opinion!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I'm with you about the diagnosis in 10 mins, that wouldn't make me feel like I'm in good hands!. Especially with Mental Health today!. Borderline personality disorder has many of the same symptoms of Bipolar as well!. I would look for someone else, when you see them explain that you would like them to get to know you better before making a diagnosis!.
I will say, if by chance you have bipolar, taking anti-depressants for chronic depression(dysthymia) can have adverse effects, causing you to be more prone to suicidal thoughts and extreme behaviors!.
So explain to the next one you see, that you are leary of meds and you want to make sure that you are properly diagnosed and want to know why they think you have what they do diagnose you with!.
Think of this also, when you get diagnosed with a mental illness it follows you, job aps, insurance aps all ask about these diagnosis, and can hinder you being accepted, so you want to be sure you're not mis-diagnosed!. I commonly refer to the link below for my healthcare needs, this gives me a tool to self-diagnose, check to see if I agree with the doctors diagnosis, check on meds that I am prescribed!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I will say, if by chance you have bipolar, taking anti-depressants for chronic depression(dysthymia) can have adverse effects, causing you to be more prone to suicidal thoughts and extreme behaviors!.
So explain to the next one you see, that you are leary of meds and you want to make sure that you are properly diagnosed and want to know why they think you have what they do diagnose you with!.
Think of this also, when you get diagnosed with a mental illness it follows you, job aps, insurance aps all ask about these diagnosis, and can hinder you being accepted, so you want to be sure you're not mis-diagnosed!. I commonly refer to the link below for my healthcare needs, this gives me a tool to self-diagnose, check to see if I agree with the doctors diagnosis, check on meds that I am prescribed!.Www@Answer-Health@Com