Ask an expert
Search expert health advice:
Browse by expert
- ADHD Expert
- Allergy expert
- Anti-ageing expert
- Asthma Expert
- Arthritis expert
- Breast cancer expert
- Cancer expert
- Cough Expert
- CyberDoc
- CyberShrink
- Oral health expert
- Depression expert
- Diabetes expert
- EnviroHealth expert
- Family law expert
- Fertility expert
- Flu expert
- GynaeDoc
- Headache expert
- Healthy Bones
Question
04 Feb 2008
Share
CS
Hi CS
How is it possible that three Psychiatrists think I’m Bipolar, but none of the psychologists I’ve seen through the years agrees with this diagnosis. Who should I believe? I don’t believe I’m Bipolar and the idea that I’m taking medication for a disorder I don’t have frightens me. I’ve made an appointment for next week with a psychiatrist recommended by my psychologist. The
psychologist believes the new shrink might be the one who can help me with the medication. I really want to stop, but I’m scared what might happen to me if I do. I’ve been taking the meds. for years. The dosage of the Epitec has just become higher and higher. I’m currently taking 350 mg Epitec, 150 mg Wellbutrin twice a day and 0,5 mg Risperdal twice a day.
How is it possible that three Psychiatrists think I’m Bipolar, but none of the psychologists I’ve seen through the years agrees with this diagnosis. Who should I believe? I don’t believe I’m Bipolar and the idea that I’m taking medication for a disorder I don’t have frightens me. I’ve made an appointment for next week with a psychiatrist recommended by my psychologist. The
psychologist believes the new shrink might be the one who can help me with the medication. I really want to stop, but I’m scared what might happen to me if I do. I’ve been taking the meds. for years. The dosage of the Epitec has just become higher and higher. I’m currently taking 350 mg Epitec, 150 mg Wellbutrin twice a day and 0,5 mg Risperdal twice a day.
CyberShrink
Hard to guess, but many different factors can come into play, including their age and training. If older and trained earlier, Bipolar Disorder was never recognized as so important. It depends also on how they are making the diagnoses. IF using the internationally accepted DSM or ICD criteria, they shouldn't differ so much. Maybe the psychologists are relatively reluctant to diagnose bipolar disorder, because there is SO much evidence that this MUST be managed with proper mood stabilizing drugs, so that they'd lose control of cases where Bipolar Disorder was recognized ?
Now, if this is Bipolar Disorder, and its not very likely that three different psychiatrist all got this wrong, then there are a wide range of alternative meds which could be used in alternative combinations, worth investigating.
And if the psychologists have not been diagnosing Bipolar Disoder, what officially formal diagnoses have they been making ?
Now, if this is Bipolar Disorder, and its not very likely that three different psychiatrist all got this wrong, then there are a wide range of alternative meds which could be used in alternative combinations, worth investigating.
And if the psychologists have not been diagnosing Bipolar Disoder, what officially formal diagnoses have they been making ?
The information provided does not constitute a diagnosis of your condition. You should consult a medical practitioner or other appropriate health care professional for a physical examination, diagnosis and formal advice. Health24 and the expert accept no responsibility or liability for any damage or personal harm you may suffer resulting from making use of this content.
