I've been with my psych for almost 3 years now and he's never diagnosed me. I'm currently being refered to an adult psych so hopefully he/she'll be a bit more straight forward with me.
Have you guys ever got a diagnosis and if you feel like it I'd be interested to know what with.!?
I've been in therapy for about 3 years now, i have had 3 psychologists, one psychiatrist and about 6 different assessments, but i've never been told my diagnosis'. I did get told i had EDNOS earlier this year, and then i snuck a look at the computer screen at the doctors while he wasn't looking and saw Anorexia on there from late last year, but other than that i don't know.
I did ask once, but they just said 'what do YOU think?'.. .and i said i didn't know, and they never answered. I might try again though, thinking about it.
In my last session with my psych he also did the whole 'why were you looking at your doctors notes in the first place?' and didn't even tell me what I wanted to know! I'm just hoping my new psych will be more honnest with me
Hm, my psych has been okay then, compared to what ihave just read. He told me i have bipolar, drew a picture of the brain and explained why it happens, he give me a information leaflet too. He also said he would write a report to my GP and said i could have a copy. I said i didnt want a copy but could i read it, and so i read it, so i know what he written and what was wrong.
Oh i was also diagnosed with depression but i think that changed when i had a hypomanic/manic episode.
I was diagnosed with OCD by my first psychologist. I didnt believe it for a long time though because they dont really say 'I diagnose you as having OCD', they just kind of say it in conversation which is confusing.
I only learnt from a sick note that I have anxiety disorder and depression (but I obviously knew about the depression anyway) along with the OCD.
I wish they would be more clear because Id prefer to know what I'm suffering from rather than feeling like Im wierd or something. Some don't like to know though, so maybe thats why they don't.
xxx
Well content loves the silence, It thrives in the dark, With fine winding tendrils,That strangle the heart,
They say that promises sweeten the blow, But I don't need them, No, I don't need them...
From what I can tell they hate diagnoses in child services, but love them in adult services. I've been diagnosed with a helluva lotta traits rather than disorders. I think another good question is what would YOU diagnose yourself with. Remember the diagnosis isn't you, you are not a box, although I will admit sometimes it is much more comfortable being a box.
I'm applying to read my notes and such to find out what my diagnoses are as my doctors never give me a straight answer. I looked at a report from two years ago which said OCD and Depressive Episode with Somatic Syndrome. Right now I'd say that's one bloody episode, so I think they'll have dropped that and I don't think I have somatic syndrome. At one point on my blood forms they also wrote EDNOS, but told me I wasn't diagnosed with that, I've been unofficially [psychologist, not psychiatrist] diagnosed with PTSD. I am also expecting to be diagnosed with BPD when I go to adult services, which they have told me I have strong traits of but can't diagnose until I'm an adult. I'm also pretty sure they must have diagnosed me with some sort of sleep disorder as I've been on sleeping meds a long time. Oh, and one doctor diagnosed me with psychoses/early onset of schizophrenia, but I'm pretty sure that was scrapped when my regular psychiatrist came back from holiday. ****tards.
And yeah, I agree with all of you, I would just like a straight forward explanation as what's wrong with me.
From the NHS psychiatrist [since discharged, I saw him for the assessment and 3 short review sessions Oct. 2005 - July 2006] - On paper - Recurrent Depressive Disorder - Told in person - 'Depression, anxiety, panic attacks and other problems due to things that happened to you in your past'. He also used the phrase 'long-standing treatment resistant depression'.
From my [private] psychotherapist [who I've been seeing since June 2002 and ongoing, for 2 then 3 sessions a week, so she obviously knows me very very well]
- Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Dissociative Disorder
- Depression - from since I was a child
- Anorexic behaviour
- Attachment Disorder/Borderline Traits
I myself also identify severe social anxiety and agoraphobia. My treatment team don't disagree with me when I talk about them, either.
I am aware I've been diagnosed with depression, anorexia, bulimia, alcoholism and self-harming behaviour. I would also say I have social anxiety and some traits of avoidant personality disorder, from what I've read and identified with although I've not had these confirmed as such as I don't think I've seen any psychiatrist for more than once or twice.
Self harming isn't a diagnosis in itself. It's a symptom of another illness- usually depression.
I've been diagnosed with Depression (one doctor said severe depression), Borderline Personality Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder and Avoidant Personality Disorder. I've also done some tests which show moderate anxiety and low self esteem.
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
I had a letter reviewing my first few weeks in a psych unit and it said my diagnosis was -
Moderate Depression
Severe Self Harm
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
I like the box sometimes. It shows that I've been and am currently struggling and that I've been through a lot.
ive been diagnosed with a lot of things over the years, but currently it stands at
:depression
:anxiety
:self harming behaviours
:borderline personality disorder
:anorexia
I've never actually been diagnosed with anything as far as I know, but I think I'm going to ask my psych about anxiety and depression, as I'm pretty sure I have them.
Just adding: I've never been diagnosed with any ED, but I hardly ever talk about it so I don't think they could since I refuse to speak much about it.
Last edited by .ghost. : 18-08-2007 at 07:16 PM.
Reason: Adding something.
For the longest time no one would tell me what I had (I don't know if they themselves didn't know, or they thought I was too vulnerable). Anyway, to this day, I can't get anyone to tell me everything what I have. I've only got part of the picture...which is:
Bipolar I
Borderline Personality Disorder
ED-NOS
Hypochodrias
Panic Disorder
Social Phobia
Specific Phobia (of spiders, heights, dark buildings <- don't ask)
There's been 'talk' of DID, PTSD, Avoident Personality, Schizoaffective Disorder, and probably more I don't know about. I've tried to request my psych's notes and such, but I got them and couldn't read her hand-writing. I honestly don't think people like to throw around diagnoses unless they are absolutly sure. For example, my first psych's diagnosis was "Major Depression: Single Episode : Severe without Psychosis". She was so far from right, it's not even funny. Also, if told a "diagnosis" the patient will obviously research it, and can actually run the risk of developing other symptoms of the illness (to fit more criteria perhaps). That's what I suspect...so meh.
social anxiety disordersevere depressiongender identity disorderPTSDpossible paranoid schizophreniaand my computer keeps running words together for some reason.
Maybe your therapist was like mine. Mine didn't think I needed a diagnosis because when you diagnosis someone it either stays on there mind to much, they try to become that more and get obsessed, or use it as a crutch. Not saying that was your case.
I have been told I have OCD tendencies, depression, anxiety...the usual stuff like that.
The Thing We Fear Most, Is What We Want Most
I Will Learn To Fly High Above This World
I was originally diagnosed with major depression with anxiety and panic attacks
When i went to hospital it was altered slightly to major depression caused by General Anxiety Disorder and Social anxiety (which I've had my whole life). So I guess Anxiety is my primary diagnosis now.
I only know what I've been told by my first psychiatrist (who originally told me I have depression and gave me a book on it) and the psychiatrist I saw in hospital. On one of my assessment sheets I looked at it also said mild suicidal ideation (which shocked me a bit) and self harming behaviour.
Oh, and my last psychologist thinks I have some kind of PTSD from when I was born and spent a long time in hospital. But that's no official.
I'm seeing a new psychiatrist soon so my diagnosis will probably change.
I think for some people having a diagnosis is important because it validates the way you feel. I know sometimes I've used it to reassure myself that I'm not just stupid or lazy or whatever. I can remind myself that I have an actual illness and just like someone with diabetes or heart problems or another physical illness, it affects my life.
