Don't know if i should get second opinion

[GwenDR]

My wife is convinced my diagnosis of agoraphobia with panic is wrong, and that I have PTSD. I'm just uncertain, but it feels like my therapist has already decided I can't have it. But it could easily be my anxiety making me think there's more going on, and that I should trust my therapist. I feel like I'm being unreasonable.

So I don't know if I should trust my therapist and say nothing, insist on a re-evaluation, or go to a different doctor for a second opinion. The second and third options just feel rude, like I"m being pushy or going behind her back. And if it is just my anxiety, then am I shopping around? Really stressing over this. Which lends itself to the anxiety hypothesis.

I don't think I could bring myself to say anything, though, either way.

 

[Deadman]

It is your right to get a second opinion. All good doctors, psycs, and Ts understand and support the idea of second opinions. The key is to be honest and explain what you are doing. Make it clear that it is not personal and that you are not diagnosis shopping.

 

[DanielAC]

When it comes to a diagnoses that you are unsure of, the best option for any feild of medicine is to get a second opinion. I have had to do this with hearing problems and mental things as well. It is certainly within reason to say, "I know me better than anyone else knows me. I believe this diagnoses is incorrect. I am going to get a second opinion. "

 

[FauxLiz]

@GwenDR It is never wrong to seek a second opinion. Even T can have preconceived notions related to patient diagnosis. If your T thinks that PTSD is over-diagnosed in society they may be unwilling to diagnose you with PTSD. I am not saying that is the case with your T but everyone walks into the therapy setting with preconceived notions they don't even realize they have with them.

 

[GwenDR]

I am not saying that is the case with your T but everyone walks into the therapy setting with preconceived notions they don't even realize they have with them.

I feel like she wrote of PTSD as a possibility because I don't visualize my thoughts, or have experiential memories, and she felt that was mandatory for PTSD.

 

[highwaybeauty]

Hi Gwen, I struggled with something similar when diagnosed with BPD. I am wondering whether the anxiety around your diagnosis comes from you or comes moreso from your wife? Are you happy with your diagnosis? If so, then what does it matter? I think that you have every right to seek a second opinion for your diagnosis. If getting the correct diagnosis is important to you then I think you should pursue a second opinion. If you have a good relationship with your T, then they are likely to listen to your concerns and respond accordingly (without judgement!). Perhaps there is a psychiatrist they can recommend for a full psychiatric assessment? In my own experience, after receiving a BPD diagnosis, I wanted a second opinion from my current psychologist. What she responded with stuck with me, "I am going to treat you exactly the same, so what does your diagnosis matter?". Unfortunately psychiatry isn't an exact science and the DSM is just a collection of symptoms. All the best with your decision!

HB x

 

[Suzetig]

Why does your wife think it's PTSD? There's no harm in getting a second opinion and your T should be fine with it. Diagnosis isn't an exact science by any matter of means and there a lot of overlap between different disorders so you may have some symptoms that fit PTSD and others that don't.

 

[anthony]

Which lends itself to the anxiety hypothesis.

Anxiety is part of agoraphobia. Take a read of Link Removed and tell me whether it sounds about right or not for you.