Upset About Diagnosis

[livingwiththis]

My psychiatrist had to fill out some paper work for me and after I left the session I read what she wrote under diagnosis:
post traumatic stress disorder complex very severe
dissociative identity disorder
mood disorder
We have never talked about my diagnosis and it has me a little upset because I just don't want to have those things I know it probably doesn't make sense because I really knew this was probably my diagnosis but after the ptsd she underlined complex very severe am I really that bad? And DID I knew I dissociated but didn't realize I would be in that category I guess maybe I'm making to much out of this I don't know

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

When my therapist had to fill out paperwork, I was upset by hearing my diagnosis (which excluded the DID that I knew existed) just because it made it more real somehow. Also, I think that sometimes the purpose of the paperwork can change how the therapist presents it. In my case I was filing a claim in which it made sense to stress the severity of things. It was all true, but if my therapist has just been writing it down for my own sake she probably would have used gentler terms.

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

I think things in black and white, on paper, seem more threatening than they need be. Now you have a "diagnosis", okay, it's a handy thing to have because they can treat you better and you can explain to people what it entails you have. But on the other side, a diagnosis is just this abstract thing, these words on paper. They don't define you as a person, and you are changeable. i.e the diagnosis could be different when you are at a different place in your life.

 

[livingwiththis]

Everything you both said is absolutely true it seems more real written on paper and in my case I guess it was beneficial to me that she write the severity of things...... I guess your right the diagnosis may not have to stick with me the rest of my life it could change but it really does feel more threatening on paper

 

[Friday]

Also... If you disagree with it... Keep in mind that it could also be plain wrong. I know I'm not DID. But I've had a moron diagnose me with it. I also know I'm ADHD (textbook, poster child, can't miss it), but I've had a brain donor once totally deny it. Doctors are people... They're both biased & make mistakes.

Not saying yours did off the cuff. A diagnosis is something to consider. But one of the things to consider is whether or not it's correct.

 

[Ronin]

Tbqh I've learned in countries where D.I.D. is commonly diagnosed instead of practically unused category (so say the US and the UK compared to Germany or p much anywhere eastern Europe) docs tend to put *every* profound lapses in memory (which may be due to so many factors.) as D.I.D. Forgetting that's something most often forming in childhood. In virtually all the cases, regardless of the type of trauma that brought it up. So it... wouldn't really be something you can /just/ notice in one point in life with no inclinations for that what so ever before.

& mood swings I don't even get why they got diagnosed separately like that. As a symptom, sure. Separate diagnosis? I'd look it up and double check. May be the new DSM is fair different even on mood disorders category, or I simply don't recall the old one on this. Not a physician, so take whole this with a grain of salt.

 

[Molly Oneill]

I really don't know what to say about my Therapist! Shock horror... First of all she keeps calling me by another name and I have to keep correcting her... Then 4 weeks into therapy she asked me what she is treating me for???? Should I be worried here? Lmfao... erm PTSD remember lol.. Then she got annoyed when the thing she was doing did nothing for me at all.. Numb is a big factor in this horrid condition..

 

[DharmaGirl]

You need a new therapist! She sounds like she has DID!

 

[Marymickaela]

I know I was extremely upset when I saw my dx on paper. I had been seeing a psychiatrist for a couple years and thought I was being treated for ADHD. I had a breakdown, was hospitalized. At discharge they told my husband and me I was rapid cycling bipolar. That was devastating. Then I was hospitalized again and they did a psychological study. My psychiatrist wasn't involved with this hosp. When I got out they mailed the results to me (MAILED THEM). It said "Borderline Personality Disorder", severe depression. Reading the report was the worst as it looked like I was psycho. I started seeing a different psychiatrist and now I'm bipolar again. I went into another outpatient program about 1 1/2 years later and at this place my original psychiatrist came to see me (she was covering for mine). I sat there sobbing and asking her "why didn't you tell me I was bipolar. She swore she did at or 1st visit. I got copies of my intake with her and all it said was rule out bipolar. This was 2003 - 2005.

Forward to 2011. Had another psychological study and this report ruled out bipolar and said I had PTSD and severe anxiety, he didn't think I had bipolar. Went to a ADHD testing center to get tested and I have severe ADHD. Current psychiatrist is treating me for bipolar, PTSD and ADHD. I started seeing a new therapist in April and started EMDR therapy in July. When we started talking about my dx's I told her not to even think about messing with my head.

I'm very angry. Sometimes the bipolar seems right, sometimes it doesn't. The ADHD feels right as does the PTSD.

I definitely understand your being upset. It's been 12 years and I still get upset.

 

[Deleted member 29920]

@Molly Oneill she sounds terrible, is she private or nhs? I would be looking at asking for someone else!

 

[Rosewater]

I really don't know what to say about my Therapist! Shock horror... First of all she keeps calling me by another name and I have to keep correcting her... Then 4 weeks into therapy she asked me what she is treating me for???? Should I be worried here? Lmfao... erm PTSD remember lol.. Then she got annoyed when the thing she was doing did nothing for me at all.. Numb is a big factor in this horrid condition..

The minimum requirement of having any sort of relationship is getting your name right and remembering who you are. Might be worth asking her if she's trying to provoke a reaction, but it does sound like she's going through the motions rather than giving you the individual care you require.

 

[Kailani]

It seems to be sometimes shocking what they write for diagnosis. I have had wrong ones in the past. Give it some more time and see if they keep the diagnosis or change it. I also ask for reasons for diagnosis. Glad they are trying to help you!!