My therapist (MD) won't tell me a diagnosis

[Friday]

I have definitely opened up about trauma with my T ahahaha I think that happened in my first appointment tbh but I do think b/c like I don't get flashbacks or blackouts, he's trying to shy away from a PTSD diagnosis. I mean, I guess I don't know for sure, but I definitely don't have the standout PTSD symptoms.

10 people can experience the exact same trauma, and react in 10 totally different ways...all totally deserving of the best help/treatment for those ways. :) So you’re very right... it’s not as simple as trauma=PTSD. It’s also having the exact constellation of symptoms that follow.

 

[Survivor3]

Things in the US are different from the UK. A therapist can't diagnose here.

 

[Truthful_Whispers]

80% of so called therapists are people who haven't a clue about anything, in my opinion.
Many of them need therapy themselves..

 

[whiteraven]

Things in the US are different from the UK. A therapist can't diagnose here.

rumor18894 noted it was an MD. I have a psychologist as my therapist (US) and he hasn't offered a diagnosis, either. I did ask at one point and he said, "well...of I *had* to give one it would be..." I think there are just some who are reluctant or don't find them useful.

 

[rumor18894]

80% of so called therapists are people who haven't a clue about anything, in my opinion.
Many of them need therapy themselves..

I know I keep calling him a therapist, but he's an MD and has prescribed medication for me, so I guess he's more of a psychoanalyst? psychiatrist? idk. I definitely have an issue with remembering terminology and defining relationships hahaha oh dear

rumor18894 noted it was an MD. I have a psychologist as my therapist (US) and he hasn't offered a diagnosis, either. I did ask at one point and he said, "well...of I *had* to give one it would be..." I think there are just some who are reluctant or don't find them useful.

Yeah, I had a GP diagnose me in the UK with depression, was prescribed medication, but didn't seek out actual therapy until I got to the US through my university healthcare system.

 

[Survivor3]

rumor18894 noted it was an MD. I have a psychologist as my therapist (US) and he hasn't offered a diagnosis, either. I did ask at one point and he said, "well...of I *had* to give one it would be..." I think there are just some who are reluctant or don't find them useful.

It's not like that here. You can't give a diagnosis unless your a doctor or psychiatrist.

 

[rumor18894]

It's not like that here. You can't give a diagnosis unless your a doctor or psychiatrist.

So should I be calling him my psychiatrist then? I was under the impression that psychiatrists don't do talk therapy, they focus on medication

 

[Survivor3]

I know I keep calling him a therapist, but he's an MD and has prescribed medication for me, so I guess he's more of a psychoanalyst? psychiatrist? idk. I definitely have an issue with remembering terminology and defining relationships hahaha oh dear

that can become confusing for people reading your posts.

 

[rumor18894]

that can become confusing for people reading your posts.

I'm aware, thank you. Trying to get that addressed currently, please see above.

 

[Survivor3]

So should I be calling him my psychiatrist then? I was under the impression that psychiatrists don't do talk therapy, they focus on medication

for the norm. Pretty much.

 

[whiteraven]

It's not like that here. You can't give a diagnosis unless your a doctor or psychiatrist.

Yeah, I hear that.

So should I be calling him my psychiatrist then? I was under the impression that psychiatrists don't do talk therapy, they focus on medication

I think it depends on the doctor. Many psychiatrists only prescribe meds and leave the therapy part up to a psychologist or social worker. Some, though, like a couple I used to have, do regular talk therapy as well. Probably for the sake of posts here, it would make it clearer if you indicated which you are seeing; you did mention you were seeing an MD at the beginning of your thread, but some may have missed that.

Anyway, hope you get the diagnosis thing straightened out. I'd ask, if you are not getting the information you need!

 

[Survivor3]

Yeah, I hear that.



I think it depends on the doctor. Many psychiatrists only prescribe meds and leave the therapy part up to a psychologist or social worker. Some, though, like a couple I used to have, do regular talk therapy as well. Probably for the sake of posts here, it would make it clearer if you indicated which you are seeing; you did mention you were seeing an MD at the beginning of your thread, but some may have missed that.

Anyway, hope you get the diagnosis thing straightened out. I'd ask, if you are not getting the information you need!

in the UK there are clear definitions between, gp(docter), psychologist, therapist/counsellor, psychiatrist. These labels are frequently blurred in the US.