Mis-diagnosed?

[ipatch_]

Hi, i'm 20 years old,
i have been struggling with mental health problems (inc S.I and previous attempts on my own life) since i was about 12years old,
it's taken till about a year ago to be put on medication,
but i cant help but think ive been mis-diagnosed.
i know with the creation of the internet everyone wants to self-diagnose now,
but ive read up on everything for a good 8 years now,
the dr.s have diagnosed me as depressed and with anxiety,
orignally i was put on citralopram, and went up the various doses and felt if anything it made me worse.
so now he has put me on ventlafaxine, and i am finding the same results,
it makes me feel worse and increases my thoughts of self harm/suicide.

personally i have felt that i am bi-polar for a very long time, this is feelings shared by my family (all who i have a close relationship with) and i am worried if i carry on with this ventlafaxine something will happen.

i have brought this to the attention of the dr. but he's quite an old guy and doesnt really understand mental health, and my therapist just shrugged it off when i told him about my thoughts.

maybe i am being a hypochondriact, but the signs are there and i just dont know what to do?

x

[Sigma]

Have you seen a psychiatrist? If not, perhaps your Dr could refer you. Self-diagnosis isn't a good idea, but then again, a diagnosis by a Dr who doesn't understand mental health isn't a great start either! And if you've now tried 2 ADs without them helping, even if your Dr is right and it's depression & anxiety, then specialist input would be helpful

[Margo]

I really wouldnt recommend self diagnoses although if inside you feel what they are telling you isnt right then you are probably right yourself! If we look hard enough any of us here could self diagnose with all manner of wierd and wonderful things. Most people without MH issues meet many criterion of mental health problems.

You are within your rights to ask for a second opinion. You are also within your rights to ask for a new doc. With MH its VITAL to have a good understanding relationship with your doctor/psych/carer or whatever.

Many theprapists will go out of their way to not put a disgnoses upon you. IMO this is good practice. A therapists job is not to diagnose but to listen and help. They should never see or treat you as your diagnoses, but as a person. Of course if you have specific needs which require specialist attention then that is different. Dont worry too much about him/her not giving it a name. Personally i dont think its a good idea when they do. There are many therapists that seem to love giving out diagnoses. some may like it but personally i dont think its a good idea at all.

Citalopram or cipralex or derivatives of those are often the first meds given. Venlafaxine....dont get me started on that. On any med there can be a period of upto 6-8 weeks before you feel any better. Often you can feel worse during this period. Unless your reactions to new meds are very extreme i would try to stick with them for at least this period. Its not good to chop and change.

If you feel brave enough ask to see a different doctor.

[moke]

Not much more I can add to the above, really, except to emphasise that you are well within your rights to see another doctor and get a second opinion - probably worth trying. Good luck :)

[ipatch_]

thanks for you help,
i really struggle with questioning people, so i just take the pills im given and complain on here.
in response to the above;

i never have seen a psychiatrist, however have seen two different therapists/councillers, the first just put me on citalopram and discharged me, the second is ok, bit of a tool though.

ninjapenguin, why did you say 'dont get me started' about venlafaxine, it kinda worries me, i have read up on it and found a fair few bad reviews, but what are your two cents?

cheers for all your help again

[Margo]

With any medication there are good stories and bad. There are people on this site that are on this drug and do fine. However there are also people who have had bad experienced of it. You said your Sh/ suicidal thoughs have gotten worse on it. The same happened to me. It raised my SH to new levels and quite dangerous levels. I did a lot of reading up on it also and found many people who struggled with it. There was even a lobbying board attmpting to get the stuff banned for the high rates of suicide of people using it. The response fromthe Drug agency was that this medication is often prescribed to those who are already suicidal and hence the target group is at higher risk in the first place.

HOWEVER, thats just my personal experience. If it didnt do good for many many people it wouldnt be prescribed. Im sure the meds im on have made people much worse but for me theve been really good.

What matters to you is that if its making your symptoms worse and yu have been on it for some time then ask to get off it and change meds!!!

Depression can sap all confidence to ask for good things. It can make you a yes man infront of the doc. to some extent even if you know its crap it feeds the depression and makes you feel worse but thats ok cus the depression wants you to feel worse. Make sense?

I worry that your Gp who has no real understanding is prescribing this drug and your therapist also. Therapists arent trained to administer and docs have basic training. Are you sure it was a therapist and not a CPN?

Regardless of whats been said its obvious you are not happy and this medication is not helping you right now. This is something that needs to change.

Tell them things are worse. Ask for a change of meds.

Good luck

[lostandalone3]

How long have you been diagnosed with depression on meds for?

I just ask this because i was diagnosed with major depression for 8 years before my diagnosis got changed to Bipolar disorder. You should take the venlafaxine and if you do become manic/hypomanic then call your dr. make an appointment at the time, or get your family to talk to them and then you will get the diagnosis you want.

[pea soup]

hi there,

i would really get in to see a psychiatrist and get someone with better knowledge than just a therapist or GP. hope you find some answers.

[Stellata]

If you're in the UK, only a psychiatrist can prescribe efexor now. When I was put on it, it was different. I had to come off it, because it didn't work for me as I needed a fairly strong sedative anti-depressant. But the GP who gave it me originally didn't ask enough questions.

[ipatch_]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostandalone3

How long have you been diagnosed with depression on meds for?

I just ask this because i was diagnosed with major depression for 8 years before my diagnosis got changed to Bipolar disorder. You should take the venlafaxine and if you do become manic/hypomanic then call your dr. make an appointment at the time, or get your family to talk to them and then you will get the diagnosis you want.

i've been diagnosed with depression for a few years, but only started meds in the last year and a half, i was on citalopram for 9months or so before taken off and this is my second month on venlafaxine.

if i was to get the diagnoses i wanted i'd be clear of depression and nothing wrong with me, i really want to be 'normal' more than anything,
the only reason im questioning it is because i feel with these meds ive been put on im getting nothing but worse

[Sigma]

I understand why you want a diagnosis of 'nothing wrong' - so do I :)

But if you do need meds and support then that's what you need. You are not your diagnosis, but a proper diagnosis can help you to understand yourself and get the right help. There is no point being treated for a condition you don't have!

If you're getting worse, you have every right to ask questions, and ask to see a specialist. Because the important thing is that you get the help you need and deserve.

[((deleted))]

At the end of the day what your diagnosis is doesn't matter a bit. The more important thing is how you're coping rather than a label you're given.

Talk to your dr if the meds you're on are making you feel worse, it does take some time to kick in but i'd say if you're on your second month of taking them (esp if you're nearing the end of that second month) then they should be having at least some effect by now, even if they aren't at the maximum effect (if that makes single iota of sense to you!).

If you want to change dr you can just fill in your NHS card and hand it in asking for a new dr - you don't even have to give a reason.

If you've not already been referred to mental health services i would suggest you push for this to get some more specialised help.

Take care hun
x

[lostandalone3]

Sorry if my reply came across as rude. If your meds arent working then ask for another opinion or a new med.

I know how frustrating it can be- i have been on over 9 diff antidepressants, a couple mood stabilisers and various anti psychotics before i found drugs that helped. And while they do help I still have major symptoms. So if may just be a matter of time before you find the right med for you.

Have you tried other avenues such as therapy to help deal with your moods?

It might be different in your country but are you sure a councillor prescibed you meds? Just cos where I live only a dr. can prescribe medications, even a clinical psychologist is unable too.