Posted by B2Chica on January 2, 2005, at 16:22:37
In reply to about having a dx or not, posted by terrics on January 2, 2005, at 10:43:36
i agree with mair that this is a double edged sword.
at first i wanted more than ANYTHING a definitive dx. i got it and from several docs.
getting that did not make me better. but it gave me something to grasp onto. i'm a quantitative person and the not knowing was terrible, once i had a "label" i did TONS of research, reading, books, websites...you name it.
I think i needed that in the beginning. it's like it gave me something tangible to do about it...the reading, being my own advocate on medications, etc.Now i have a new pdoc cuz the meds i was on before were NOT working and pdoc wasn't listening, i got some assistance, got referral for new pdoc. This one questioned my dx. of BP cuz i don't display typical or extreme manic episodes and he to this day has never said "YOu have X,X and X." instead he treats my symptoms.
At first i Really wanted those words, but, as time went on and the more i've read about Axis 1 and II disorders the more i realize how much the psych community doesn't really know about it (quantitatively), AND that there is just many different views, AND It's such a blurred area everything seems to cross over. so i now understand and respect EVEN more my pdoc for not rushing into labels.I recently found a new T (start thurs.) he did some testing on me and dx was Bp2, ED, Dysthymic disorder, and bpd(depressive type) in that order. i showed pdoc and he commented that that is exact with his thoughts.
So in the end, i do have labels (tack on ptsd, anxiety also).Even if you were to put 100 people with the exact same SINGLE dx in a room all of them will respond differently to medication, all of them have different current living environments, and all of them have different life/growing experiences.
So...in review. i think some people may need something tangible so they can get through the acceptance process (others may not).
i think if you have a good pdoc or T, those labels give them a place to 'start'. If you have bad ones, they follow textbook "cures" and that helps noone.(sorry, there was my little soapbox)
down now.
IMHO
B2c.
poster:B2Chica
thread:436755
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20041228/msgs/436847.html