misdiagnosis?

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   schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years ago

   Is it possible to be misdiagnosed and if so, how would it affect you?

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      kamerasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It most certainly is not only possible, but happns every day.One only has to look at 10 years ago Doctor's conventional wisdom is being revised almost daily. Eggs are bad for us,then they are good for us,"Don't eat butter",Now margarine is bad for us. Truth is They really do not know.They rely on studies of population,given specific experiments of so many people, and then observe a trend.This is how they base their opinions.
      It certainly is a worry.

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      krillcoposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Mental Health diagnoses are what is called 'differential', meaning that as more information on experienced symptoms is gained throughout the sessions, the diagnosis is refined and may change. Not enough clinicians work at doing that, simply giving and initial assessment and going with that. Many symptoms can represent more than one category of mental health diagnosis. In addition, mental health diagnoses are just categories, like a shorthand, to understand and describe an issue.

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         artist101posted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Awesome answer.

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   schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years ago

   I'll give some more info.
   
   I was diagnosed as bipolar at 16yrs old. It's not a fun thing to discuss.
   
   Mom said to me very recently that there was nothing wrong with me but she didn't want me to run away as I wanted to and
   as two of my older sisters did , ending up on the street selling illegal substances and getting into a lot of bad company. My other two sisters sweated it out (dealing w/ dad) till a little later. But there's a boiling point.
   
   I only [b] said [\b] to them at the hospital I was suicidal to get help.
   I was just at a loss of what to do/break down/whatever
   
   I've discussed this in hubs.
   
   So-   thoughts?
   
   Thanks
   
   
   
   
   
   (But I got twenty years of free therapy )

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      Daughter Of Maatposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      ADHD can often be misdiagnosed as bipolar by an inexperienced doctor. Untreated ADHD has many of the ups and downs as the bipolar disorder does. It also has the characteristic fatigue and depression. My husband was misdiagnosed as bipolar, and he only had ADHD.
      
      ADHD is most commonly attributed to low dopamine levels which is typically an early sign of niacin deficiency. My husband has to take about 6,000mg to 7,000mg a day of niacin to control his symptoms. Contrary to what many in the medical community say, unless you already have liver or kidney disease, niacin is not dangerous. (Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor).
      
      Vitamin C deficiency can also cause depression, lack of concentration and fatigue. Many people need VERY large dosages of vitamin C a day, but the RDA is about 200mg. I take close to 10,000mg a day, and it has completely alleviated my depression and my migraines!
      
      For more information on megadose vitamin therapy, visit Dr. Andrew Saul's website doctoryourself.com.

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         schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         thank you!!

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      schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      btw....I wasn't suicidal. I had to sad that or they won't take you.)

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   Lisa HWposted 11 years ago

   Yes.  It's very possible for a person to be misdiagnosed.  I've known a few young people who had their diagnosis changed either after their mental-health professionals knew them better/longer or else when they switched doctors.  I'm not at all suggesting that I think you have been - only answering your question about whether people can be misdiagnosed.
   
   How it would affect any one individual with any one condition, diagnoses, treatment and/or lack of any real mental health condition at all isn't something I'm qualified to answer.  In fact, I don't think anyone could answer that without a) being a psychiatrist and b) knowing the individual person, history, and everything that goes with it.
   
   If you think there's the chance you may have been incorrectly diagnosed, that's something to talk honestly and calmly about to either a present doctor or one who could give you a second opinion.

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      schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      agreed. thanks!

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   gsidleyposted 11 years ago

   Psychiatric diagnoses are notoriously unreliable. It is common for people with long-standing mental health problems to have been given several different diagnoses within the psychiatric system. It would make more sense to focus on specific symptoms (e.g. low mood, voice-hearing, delusions) and target these rather than dubious "illness" labels.

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      meloncauliposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You are absolutely right gsidley. Diagnosis can be a flimsy affair with only the DSM as a handbook. We would all, at some point in our lives, fit into one of the disorders listed in there!
      
      As for bipolar...years ago when I suffered panic disorder, I would have awful spells and better spells. When I had awful spells of the disorder, my mood sank. Naturally, those worst times made me react mood wise. I felt negative during those times. When I had a better few weeks my mood lifted and I became optimistic. This mood change was interpreted as bipolar and I was offered lithium three times! I kept declining as I could see the logic to my mood changes. Thank goodness I refused the lithium as it was totally unnecessary.
      Too quick to label....too easy to label.

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         schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         

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         artist101posted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I agree. Too many labels.

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      schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I'm wondering if I can feel even better than I do now which in my mind would require more decrease in pills. With the doctor.

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   paradigmsearchposted 11 years ago

   
   My general opinion of our American medical profession...

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      schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      
      i needed that!
      
      wow....

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   schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years ago

   I just published a hub w/ more info, if you're interested. thankyu

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   Bedbugabscondposted 11 years ago

   In my psychology class we talked about a period of time where bipolar disorder was a common diagnosis. Now, it is coming out that many of those diagnosis's were not correct. Back then, there were fewer choices for diseases that fall in to that category. Now, the development in the field of personality disorders, depression and autism spectrum disorders have changed everything.
   
   If you feel you have been misdiagnosed you should investigate and find a good doctor. I was once misdiagnosed with a hematoma, turns out I had a tumor. If my parents had not fought for a better diagnosis I could have been in real danger. It is your health, you have rights, and it is important to stand up for them so you can get the correct diagnosis and treatment.

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      schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      A friend of mine asked me if I thought I had PMDD.
      I took an online test and I think I do.
      This may explain the possible misdiagnosis because pmdd is wicked bad pms for 2weeks before.. so since I'm no longer angry everyday, as was on lithium, I can see the difference, but now I notice I feel crappy before the day. so, yeah.
      Then I can see after I figure that out, if I can do without all the other crap pills I'm on. who knows. thank you

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   ftclickposted 11 years ago

   I knew of the PMDD symptom but not the term. I knew someone who was always angry 3 weeks out of a month before the ring of course. Yeah, that divorce is final

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      schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      not surprised!
      I don't know what I have. I'm in the process of discovering it still. thx

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         Druid Dudeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         My wife was diagnosed as schizophrenic in 1985. She was re-diagnosed as manic depressive in 1988, then she was re-diagnosed in 1991 as bi-polar. She has lived, medication free since 1992, when we decided that everybody was full of crap.

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            gsidleyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Druid David, I like your style!
            
            Great to hear your wife is functioning well without medication.

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   knolyourselfposted 11 years ago

   When insurance is involved, the psychiatrist has to diagnose something to get paid. Fortunately - almost every kind of thinking is listed as some form of psychological disease.

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      schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      

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    Mighty Momposted 11 years ago

    OMG, SFR.
    Are they still going off that phony bipolar/suicidal diagnosis from your teens? When you admit you lied about being suicidal so you could get treatment!??
    And what does it say about our mental health system that you have to lie about being suicidal to get help? I've experienced that up close and personal. Having my son "turned away" from inpatient treatment because he was NOT suicidal.
    
    
    If you're concerned about misdiagnosis, insist on being rediagnosed. That is your right.
    If you are on a cocktail of drugs and still not feeling right, then they are not working.
    And maybe that is because they are treating the wrong thing!
    
    And yes, bipolar has been, for several years now, the "catchall" diagnosis and I firmly believe it hurts more than it helps.
    My two cents.

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       schoolgirlforrealposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you MM
       that's very good advice.

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