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SapleMyrup

623d

I don’t understand why random doctors who speak to me for 5 minutes decide to make any comment on my bipolar diagnosis just bc they see it in my chart. I was forced by my college to see a psychiatrist after an Incident in 2018 and thats when I was diagnosed w/ bipolar 1 and prescribed latuda. (I never picked it up bc it was too expensive so i went unmedicated for 2 years) When I brought the results back to my school they just signed off on it and let me go back to classes and everything. Then one year later I went to the college’s clinic for an ear infection or something, they saw bipolar on my chart, and made me see a psychiatrist AGAIN because they didn’t think I had bipolar, but told me I needed therapy (for selfharm). Even though I went in for a damn ear infection. idk if i was flagged in their system or what, but I could never go to that clinic w/o my mental health coming up. So I went to a different psychiatrist, who also diagnosed me w/ bipolar, i saw a therapist for a lil while but then stopped. Then in 2020, after two fucked up years, I went to see a therapist again. I did intake at one facility and w/o knowing my prior diagnosis, she told me she thought I had it. I told her I was diagnosed in 2018 and she was like yeah that tracks, I’ll put you on with the psychiatrist. they prescribed me lamotrigine. i didn’t see a therapist at this facility, i found a therapist elsewhere, but i was going into therapy mostly to work through trauma. so I only talked about trauma w/ this therapist. All the while I was taking lamotrigine. Then after 8 months or so with this therapist, she randomly starts a session by saying she doesn’t think I have bipolar!! Because she said she never observed those symptoms in me and told me I NEEDED to see ANOTHER psychiatrist and get reassessed. Mind you I was still on with the psychiatrist who prescribed me lamotrigine, so I was handling my bipolar symptoms. But I went to see a new fucking psychiatrist, and surprise surprise she reaffirmed the bipolar diagnosis. She even said that since my symptoms have improved since I started my medication, it means they are the right meds for me!!! So she kept me on the meds I was already taking (wellbutrin+lamotrigine) And when I went back to my therapist one week later she was like… surprised?? that the psychiatrist said I had bipolar disorder?? I’ve been diagnosed for 4 years at this point! Why does this keep being called into question?? Isn’t it possible that I don’t have enough time in an hour w/ this therapist to discuss bipolar symptoms AND trauma? Or maybe my bipolar symptoms are being managed by my medications?? Like maybe it just isn’t that severe and it responds to medications, but if I stop my meds then I quickly spiral out of control. I learned this the hard way more than once. It’s really fucked that me showing IMPROVEMENT is being construed as me never having the condition at all. Like being told it’s all in my head. It’s fucking nonsense. The Incident / manic episode in 2018 leading to my diagnosis was really fucked up and I don’t like talking about it so I never brought it up w/ my current therapist, but i DO mention it with psychiatrists which is why they keep reaffirming the diagnosis. But I shouldn’t have to tell that story to everyone just to justify that I actually have this condition. It shouldn’t matter. Not to mention that the Incident is so closely related to the trauma I am seeing this therapist about, it’s really fucked that she would try to reduce the treatment I am receiving… especially since the trauma symptoms I came to her with were really severe. and at that time I was not taking my medications. I’m just really frustrated rn, I kind of want this fucking diagnosis to be struck from my record because EVERY doctor I see brings it up. The gynecologist I saw once brought it up. A PCP i tried to go to brought it up and wrote that it’s “not well controlled” after talking to me for less than 10 minutes. EVEN THE DENTIST BROUGHT IT UP?? First of all how did he even know, and second of all what does that have to do with my fucking teeth.? I highly doubt my lamotrigine is contributing to my yellow teeth😡 i can’t get it taken off my chart if every psychiatrist keeps telling me i have it so idk what to even do besides stop going to the doctor

Top reply
    • Tofu14

      621d

      Therapists don’t have as much expertise with diagnosing. They do better with getting through daily life. Psychiatrists are better at diagnosing and are best at medication. Psychologists diagnose and are the best at accurate diagnosis. The whiplash you are describing is unfortunate but definitely do with the psychiatrists on this one. The meds seem to be helping you so keep taking them and don’t let these random people throw you off.

    • Tofu14

      621d

      Therapists don’t have as much expertise with diagnosing. They do better with getting through daily life. Psychiatrists are better at diagnosing and are best at medication. Psychologists diagnose and are the best at accurate diagnosis. The whiplash you are describing is unfortunate but definitely do with the psychiatrists on this one. The meds seem to be helping you so keep taking them and don’t let these random people throw you off.

    • Zebrapotato37659

      623d

      Prayers!

    • RedCollar15

      623d

      The first time I saw my current psych, she said she didn't think I had bipolar either. I came to her after a psychotic episode which put me in the hospital and was on lamotrigine, Lexapro, and Buspar. I was very well controlled in 2018 all things given. She trusted me when I said I was controlled and we went some time not needing to adjust meds because I had no symptoms. I suddenly developed Stevens-Johnsons in 2020 and had to stop lamotrigine. At that point, seeing how miserable I was and how much I struggled, she fully believed my diagnosis. She had begun to believe me before, but now it was very clear this couldn't be anything else. One of the frustrating things when you visit doctors is, yes, they're always going to ask what you have, if you're sure you have it, how its affecting you right now, if you have any plans or ideation. I think of them more like the "any chance at all you're pregnant" questions. They have to ask to make sure the treatments they plan to give you won't cause a deadly interaction with your medications. Also, I believe doctors are mandated reporters so they have to say something if you plan to hurt yourself. Showing anger or frustration at these questions, unfortunately, gets labeled as "out of control" because even some medical professionals don't know what bipolar really looks like in everyone. They don't have to believe your diagnosis to help you. Be firm and calm when you tell them "I had an incident in 2018 that has confirmed my diagnosis in every psychiatric visit I have had. My medications keep me well controlled and I do not feel comfortable discussing the incident with you because it is traumatic." If they can't stop after you put your foot down, maybe look for a new doctor. As far as the dentist goes, please do also always tell your dentist your medications. Lamotrigine actually does affect your bones and your teeth! It can cause tooth sensitivity at the least and contributed to me needing three root canals. That doesn't mean you have to stop taking it, but you do want to be aware of those affects. The dentist will have an easier time deciding treatment options for pain or yellowing if he knows you're on that medications. Also, some pain medications completely nullify psych meds, so they may want to avoid those meds so you don't have bad effects trying to recover from a dental procedure. I know it sucks, and it doesn't really get better or easier. If you know those questions will always come and remember its so they can give you the best help possible, it's less annoying. And again, if they can't respect when you gently state you have a repeat confirmation of diagnosis, maybe try a new doc. Best of luck, hope all of this helps ❤️

☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

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