I’ve been in counseling and on meds for a decade. I’ve had so many different diagnoses from many professionals over the years that I don’t know WHAT’s wrong with me. I have a history of panic attacks, now pretty controlled. I’ve also been diagnosed with major depressive & post-traumatic stress disorder (witnessed my infant child’s killing), bipolar disorder, personality disorder-NOS. I’ve had awful, med-resistant, chronic insomnia all that time, and my therapists have described me as in constant state of "hyper-vigilance." I’ve had a couple of very brief psychotic episodes & what some might call mania. My most recent therapist has pretty much started from scratch with me, getting her own impressions of me over a period of four months now. She says she hasn’t seen bipolar, symptoms, rather, a woman with PTSD, severe sleep deprivation & unaddressed adult ADD. After doing some reading on adult ADD, I am tending to agree with her, wondering if I’ve been getting wrong treatment a long time.
As a psychologist that works in the area of diagnosis (but not in the areas you’ve mentioned)… I can tell you that it can be very difficult to diagnose someone accurately, especially if they have a complex presentation. Also, since our (mental) health care system has become increasingly fragmented, many mental health professionals do not have the time to do appropriate testing (which often includes a thorough history; talking to parents to obtain developmental info, which may or may not be feasible; and reviewing previous medical records)… rather, they talk with someone for a few minutes (or whatever their health plan – if they have one – allows), and then make a diagnosis.
In addition, PTSD is notoriously difficult to diagnose AND our understanding of the disorder, as well as the official criteria have changed somewhat. Same with ADD, especially in adults… and bipolar, especially in children.
So… given all these factors, then it is entirely possible that the diagnoses that you have received have not been as accurate as they could have been. Just continue working with your therapist and learn as much as you can about your diagnoses.
By the way, if you do have PTSD… you might be interested in a book called Trauma and Recovery by Judith Lewis Herman, a classic in the field.
As a psychologist that works in the area of diagnosis (but not in the areas you’ve mentioned)… I can tell you that it can be very difficult to diagnose someone accurately, especially if they have a complex presentation. Also, since our (mental) health care system has become increasingly fragmented, many mental health professionals do not have the time to do appropriate testing (which often includes a thorough history; talking to parents to obtain developmental info, which may or may not be feasible; and reviewing previous medical records)… rather, they talk with someone for a few minutes (or whatever their health plan – if they have one – allows), and then make a diagnosis.
In addition, PTSD is notoriously difficult to diagnose AND our understanding of the disorder, as well as the official criteria have changed somewhat. Same with ADD, especially in adults… and bipolar, especially in children.
So… given all these factors, then it is entirely possible that the diagnoses that you have received have not been as accurate as they could have been. Just continue working with your therapist and learn as much as you can about your diagnoses.
By the way, if you do have PTSD… you might be interested in a book called Trauma and Recovery by Judith Lewis Herman, a classic in the field.
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psychologist
unfortunately yes it is possible to get an incorrect diagnosis. for example if you tell someone you see things going on around oyu that no one else sees they may think psychosis, but it may be a Post trauma flashback and without proper probing its hard to see which. it sounds like your current therapist is trying very hard to find an appropriate diagnosis… the more you are able to stay with one therapist the better it will be in this situation. when a person changes therapists for whatever reason sometimes its hard to pick up where you left off, but sometimes it can’t be helped. good luck
References :
psychologist as well
I’m not a psychologist but I have been diagnosed with complex PTSD myself. I have found the following books to be extremely useful in my healing. . . and without medication. Originally I was prescribed antidepressants which only made me numb.
Have a look at them as they address co-morbid disorders. I am so sorry to hear you witnessed such a painful event. Good luck to you.
_Walking the Tiger
: Healing Trauma_ by Peter A. Levine
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/155643233X/ref=nosim/theborderlinesan
_Kundalini Yoga Meditation: Techniques Specific for Psychiatric Disorders, Couples Therapy, and Personal Growth_ http://www.amazon.com/Kundalini-Yoga-Meditation-Techniques-Psychiatric/dp/0393704750/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208959379&sr=1-1
Both books take position that trauma is stored within our nervous systems. The first book is fascinating in that it addresses the ‘freeze’ aspect of trauma and its residual effect on the nervous system. Usually only fight or flight response is addressed, but many people are immobilized. The second book includes exercises specific to balancing the nervous system. I would contact the authors and ask them for further recommendations.
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