feel like an imposter?

bluedusteyes · 11-07-2012, 10:49 PM

I've never been officially diagnosed with anything listened in my signature (except for PCOS and panic disorder), but when you've been dealing with the symptoms for, at the minimum, a decade, you can more or less tell that you've got a particular problem.

Still, even though I'm covered in scars, seen the proof of weight issues in photographs, and been through more nightmares/flashbacks/shut-downs than I care to admit, I hesitate a little; I feel like a fraud....

does anyone else struggle with this, this questioning of validity due to a lack of an official diagnosis? I've just been really, really good at hiding everything (plus, being in a household that is lacking in the nurturing aspect, it's not like anyone really cared or noticed)....

Ballerina123 · 11-07-2012, 11:50 PM

I have official diagnosis and I still question weather I really have what they say I have.

Sometimes I just think how can my head be ok some times and then not be? Surely it would be broken all the time or not at all? Why does it just random go all silly?
Your not alone in this feeling.

For the PCOS you can get blood test to confirm it and once it's confirmed you can be treated to reduce your symptoms. If you have it you might as well get it treated because it can have bad side effects.

Cryptic. · 12-07-2012, 02:27 PM

I think a lot of people feel like a fraud/imposter with mental health, and medical health problems, but probably more so with MH. You're not alone.x

sapphire hearts · 14-07-2012, 06:40 PM

MH problems are some of the worst to come to terms with, because there isn't a blood test or MRI or 'official' test to confirm it. Remember that the diagnosis only matters to psychiatrists - what's really important is how you feel, not if some doctor has said 'oh, you have this, this and this'. Besides, doctors misdiagnose people all the time (not a big dr fan, lol).

The feelings are what's important hun, you're not a fraud or a fake. Your feelings are real and they are important, no matter what your medical records say *hugs*

Katie xx

Koriandr · 14-07-2012, 09:13 PM

That's the tricky thing about mental health, there really isn't a lot official things that can give a definite, "Yes, you have ____". I can definitely relate to feeling like a fraud even though I have been formally diagnosed.

The diagnosis itself isn't really important anyway, what's important is figuring out your symptoms and treating them.