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Default Mar 25, 2019 at 02:57 PM
  #1
So, some weird news today . After an email about some issues to my therapist I find out he has changed my diagnosis from bipolar to my original diagnosis of Dysthymia and Major Depressive Disorder. I'm not sure I so much agree with the change, but it is what it is -- he has worked with me for 5 years (although we never met in person-- LONG story, but basically I was matched with him through betterhelp, an online counseling site -- he is a legit LCSW and I looked up his credentials). He insisted by any means we focus on treating affects (behaviors and symptoms) over labels, which I guess is pertinent to the matter. I finally got a hold of the sense of identity in terms of not feeling alone in my illness... but now I'm back at a loss because there is a lot that just doesn't fit into the category. I'm not overgeneralizing here.. I really feel crazy with some of my behaviors and inabilities sometimes. Bipolar kind of filled that missing gap. Oh well.

I won't stop posting here, however. I like this group of people and I relate, even if we don't share the same illness. I guess with all the crap I'm going through right now this was not what I expected. haha
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Default Mar 25, 2019 at 03:17 PM
  #2
Don't worry, Brentus! You'll always be welcome here or in any other forum, Bipolar or not! I hope you'll be able to meet some people with your same illness. But even if you don't, we'll always be here for you! You can count on that! Feel free to vent and write here as much as you like and want! You'll always be welcome here! Sending many hugs to you, Brentus
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Default Mar 25, 2019 at 04:18 PM
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Hi Brentus. Do you also have a psychiatrist? If so, what does he/she say about this?

As Mickey Cheeky wrote, you are always welcome here.
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Default Mar 25, 2019 at 04:59 PM
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I do have a psychiatrist -- I think I mentioned it before, but he sees me for like 3-5 minutes once a month if I have med changes, every 3 months if not. I've only went to my appointments with depressive symptoms and so he only tries to treat those. We've been through all the antidepressants which is why he's turned to things like Lamictal to try.


My therapist has worked with me for 5 years and knows much of my life story, the daily struggles -- the ups and downs I go through etc. When he suggested I had bipolar I took that sincerely. He has the training to say so, and the experience with me to validate what he thinks. I never said anything to my psychiatrist because the meds I was on at the time were working for awhile (until they didn't). If it works, why mess with it, right?

Anyway-- so that's the convoluted story. I know the label doesn't matter -- it's not like anyone fits neatly into a packaged disorder, but it does put me at a loss. What is my opinion anyway? I'm not a mental health professional.
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Default Mar 25, 2019 at 04:59 PM
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I like having you here so please don't go away!
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Default Mar 25, 2019 at 05:35 PM
  #6
It feels more and more to me that mental illness diagnosis are a moving target. My doctor keeps telling me I'm atypical and it makes me wonder if I'm truly bipolar or something else. I decided it doesn't really matter much as long as the meds are working and the coping skills I lean on help control my symptoms.

I'm glad you'll still be around. I appreciate your insight.
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Default Mar 25, 2019 at 06:02 PM
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the whole goal of treatment ( T and Pdoc) is to lessen your symptoms ... if that is happening rejoice ... if it is not ... make a change ... you deserve positive and helpful care ... a dx can be helpful ... but in reality handling the sympthoms is job number 1 ... peace my friend ... I pray you find an answer for your questions .... either way stay here we would miss you ...

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Default Mar 25, 2019 at 07:34 PM
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I also agree you are still welcome here. In my experience when I was first with Bipolar it was recanted 2 years later and changed to ADHD and PTSD. This was by a pdoc. Less than a year later when I first saw a new pdoc he immediately diagnosed me with Bipolar 1. After that it became very clear my new pdoc was right. My constant mixed episodes and hypomania/mania demonstrated it. Mixed states are easy to misdiagnose. You may or may not have Bipolar but I would seek a second opinion if I were you.

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