Posted by zefdie on April 22, 2004, at 14:07:25
In reply to Re: Bipolar versus depression » zefdie, posted by Penny on April 22, 2004, at 13:58:43
Thanks Penny! I understand everything that you're saying and I'm definitely not more concerned about a mood disorder that about depression--I don't care about the stigmas and all that. I hope it didn't come across that way! Today I'm just feeling very fatigued by the Effexor and depressed in general and this, combined with my therapist's comment, makes me fear that I'm on the wrong medication. I want to be well-informed when I see this psychiatrist.
I think I probably fall into the same dx as you. We'll see!
Thanks!
> My dx is "Mood disorders - Not Otherwise Specified", which I think is much more suitable for me than bipolar, as I have up periods, but never full blown mania.
>
> I think the thing to keep in mind is that a diagnosis is just a label - a way for the professionals to categorize you. What you want to make sure of is that you are being treated for your symptoms and not based on a diagnosis. Even if you are "bipolar", there's no standard textbook treatment (medication or therapy-wise) that would necessarily fit you. Every brain is so unique.
>
> I would also suggest that when you meet with the psychiatrist, that you have him or her diagnose you without regard to the therapist diagnosis.
>
> There's nothing wrong with being bipolar (despite what the media might have you believe!!!), so if you are, then you are, and that's okay. It sounds as though you have a mood disorder based on what you say, so whether that's bipolar or unipolar depression or dysthymia or mood disorders NOS doesn't really matter ultimately, as long as your treatment plan is unique to your symptoms and not to whatever some book says someone with your dx should be getting...
>
> Does that make sense?
>
> Good luck and keep us posted.
>
> P
poster:zefdie
thread:338839
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040419/msgs/338852.html