Poll Who Diagnosed You?

[becvan]

Hi, after reading through some other threads, I became curious as to how people have been diagnosised. I think this poll will tell us a lot about where we come from and trends for diagnosising!! You can explain further if you like!

Bec

 

[cookie]

my therapist and my psychiatrist both came up with it within a day of each other. 2nd visit for each. i was really surprised, i thought ptsd was a military issue only and that i was having trouble with depression only.

 

[becvan]

I was diagnosised three times (age 15,23,32) all by a therapist!! LOL

Bec

 

[anthony]

I understand counsellors and therapists having the ability here in Australia to diagnose, though they cannot provide the overall clinical diagnosis, which must officially come from a psychiatrist.

I believe the USA is the same, not sure about Canada or the UK though. Can someone clarify the official process for me please?

 

[Nam]

I'm not sure Anthony. I know that therapists or social workers that specialize in mental health can diagnose but cannot prescribe medication. In my situation, I saw the therapists for therapy sessions once a week. I saw my psychiatrist everytime I ran out of meds, like, once a month. She would only ask if I had any side effects from the medication and about my physical health. So for me, a therapist is a mental health counselor and a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health meds. I'll have to look that up...got me curious.

 

[becvan]

It's the same here as Nam. Social Workers, who are trained, can diagnosis but the meds must come from a physician or psych. In our area, there is only one psych for two seperate (and huge) districts. He's available once a year only. He just does the med thing. No therapy whatsoever. We need like 5 more psych's for this area!

Bec

 

[YoungAndAngry]

Hmmm.... I was diagnosed by:
- Therapist
- Neurophyschologist
- Psychiatrist

In that order....

Currently, my therapist keeps my psychiatrist up to date.
He books the appointments when needed (he can get me appointments the same day!)
And he always attends the appointments with me.
So he knows exactly whats going on at all times.

It's uncomfertable to have my doctors talking about me (while I'm waiting in the hall, etc.)
But in the long run, I'm so glad someone took charge.
There is no need to repeat the same thing to each doctor, as they are always in sync with eachother.

 

[bornjoyful]

I am in the UK and as far as i know, only the psychiatrists can diagnose although the otehrs can make a guess and refer for the oficial naming ceremony! i self diagnosed the second time i becasme debilitated and 2 psychiatriss and two psychiatrict nurses missed it as it was not really really bad even although i told them i had a previous diagnosis. i think ther eis a lot of snobbery around diagnoses -i was diagnosed in Israel wher eone in ten of the population is medically qualified but i suspect that my telling the health professionals meant nothing to them until someone in the uk diagnosed. in the end a consultant psychologist diagnosed but when it cmes to things like court or compensation , yes a psychiatrist is needed for the all important diagnosis. in reality the local psychiatrist is not likely to challenge the diagnosis the local consultant psychologist anyway and it is the psychologits and specialist nurses who treat and do therapy whilst the psychiatrists mainly prescribe. hope that is clearer or is it now more confusing!!??LOL

 

[kers]

I guess I don't have an "official" paper diagnosis. My therapist told me it was PTSD after I had been seeing him for six months--it took that long for me to feel comfortable enough to reveal (some of) what happened. My psychiatrist just diagnosed/treated the depression with an anti-d. I don't feel comfortable enough with her to tell her what happened or what my symptoms are.

Trust? Who has a problem with trust? :rofl:

 

[Claire]

Hello, yes in the UK it is has to be a psychiatrist. I was diagnosed officially when I had to see a psychiatrist for a car insurance claim. Before that my doctor and therapist also came to the same conclusion. From my experiences the UK seems a bit behind the times with everything, including the diagnosis process. Probably our stiff upper lip mentality!

 

[anthony]

No, I think its about right actually, in that only a psychiatrist should be officially diagnoseing PTSD because of the true potential it implies. Therapists often have a good idea based around criteria they ask, but a Dr. should be able to tell much more without the written assessment tools needed.

 

[batgirl]

I thought it had to be a psychiatrist here in Canada too? I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist in 2002 or 2003, then confirmed by another psychiatrist and a neurologist a couple of weeks ago. I had to be diagnosed before I could qualify to see a psychologist, therapist, go to support groups, etc. I mean those connected with the health region, mental health services... I couldn't afford anyone in private practice.