A bit of a rant...

Sammi503

So I know this technically should be in rants/raves but seeing as how it's psychology related I thought I'd post it here instead! So here's the deal:

I've been seeing a psychologist on and off for about 4 1/2 years. In that time I've had an eating disorder (still struggle with it), been diagnosed as OCD, been diagnosed as having depression, been diagnosed as having a panic disorder. I've been on several different antidepressants but I have a tendancy to take myself off of them if I don't feel they're working (I know it's bad). I tried to commit suicide once but managed to lie my way out of an inpatient admission. Was finally admitted inpatient for a while last year. After that I finally came clean about hiding information about my moods to my psychologist and we decided between the "new" info and my family history I'm likely Type 2 Bipolar.

So here's the rant bit...I finally agreed to get my act together, ring a psychiatrist and lay everything out on the table and hopefully be put on a mood stabilizer + antidepressant (I'm just back to college in my 3rd year and it's imperative that I don't get overwhelmed by stress). The thing is, I was home in America for the summer and I couldn't find a psychiatrist who was covered under my insurance and was acccepting new clients. Finally came back to Dublin and got in to see the temporary psychiatrist in college. He asked me loads of questions and when he asked me to describe my moods I told him, to which he asked if I knew what I was describing. I told him yes, Bipolar Disorder. From then on he thought I was lying and making up the symptoms (hmm maybe I'm describing myself and it sounds textbook bipolar because I AM bipolar?!). Finally he told me I'd be fine with just talking to my psychologist (who told me to find a psychiatrist in addition to talking to her 'cause I really need to be on medication) and that I don't need any meds and should talk to an OT about how to manage stress. WTF?!?!?! seriously?!?!?!?!?! What was floating through his stupid little brain?! Did he think I was some drug addict looking for pills? Seriously like I'd be addicted to freakin' lithium! Plus who really wants the stigma of being bipolar just for some pills? What am I supposed to do? Who am I supposed to go to now?

JuliusCaesar

Get a second opinion. Go to your local Mental health Service. You'll be assessed by a psychiatrist. Might need a referral from your GP. Any medication will be free of charge, and your appointment(s) is also free of charge.

eth0_

Why didn't your psychologist write you up a referral letter for the psychiatrist...? Who exactly referred you to the psychiatrist?

The way you described your symptoms may have rung alarm bells. If it sounded like you were just listing off a list of symptoms you read on wikipedia he might have thought you were just trying to get something like valium to use recreationally - not you personally, but there are some people who pretend!

orla6240

Hi sammi503. That sounds so frustrating. I have had similar problems with so-called 'mental health experts' in the past also. I was told by one 'counsellor' that I needed to eat more vegetables to feel better!!! A really well respected 'psychiatrist' told me that if I didn't take anti-depressants I would end up in a morgue or a mental hospital within a year (6 years ago!) This was in my first visit to her! I was just about at my wits end when I found the most amazing psychotherapist. I have been with her for 5 years and my life has completely transformed.
It sounds like either you haven't found someone you can really trust or you haven't had the opportunity to get the ball rolling properly in the right direction. Unfortunately all doctors are seen to be genuine authority figures. In reality a lot of them are dodgy and have their own agenda so if you want my advice shop around until you find someone who really wants to listen to you, empathise with your pain and refrain from labelling or medicating you.