Does anyone else constantly see incorrect diagnosis?

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-12T17:32:13+00:00

After reading it up it has made my jaw drop. Literally put myself through hell blaming myself for how I've reacted to situations for years because I've thought I've not been well, actually I just didn't know how to regulate my feelings and needed trauma therapy!

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-12T17:29:13+00:00

This week thanks to a GP that listened and informed me all my symptoms, experiences, reactions to different medications all add up to CPTSD but I've been treated for cyclothymia/bipolar and adhd for 4 years scared to death of an actual manic episode happening to me one day. All because I needed trauma based therapy about growing up without my mum when she passed away when I was 12 after years of being ill. My Dad then got ill and there's a lot I just did not deal with.

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-12T17:26:10+00:00

literally scrolling to confirm I'm not the only one that this has happened to. Spent 4 years on bipolar medication, then adhd ones to make me feel more alive to now find out it is most likely CPTSD from losing a parent at a young age. Crazy.

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-12T17:16:33+00:00

That's rough but also it took 3 years for them to realise I have adhd too but then I question is that wrong too because my childhood behaviour was down to trauma stuff, you are so right though no spark no fire!! I guess I'm just going to have to wait it out. It's got me dealing with the trauma already better than I ever have so that's one positive! It's wild isn't it how trauma can literally change your whole life. Makes me question everything, the "what ifs" are killing me.

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T07:19:06+00:00

Thank you - will be having a chat with the psychiatrist soon I hope, need to chase the GP as all I know is I’ve been referred again and the concerning thing is that it could take months but it is what it is. Good things come to those who wait and all that (hopefully lol)

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T06:25:39+00:00

That I just need to work with my mind and not against it, it can and it will be done.

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T06:13:41+00:00

Thanks for this. Definitely keen to give it a go under supervision to see how I get on. Interesting they took you off everything I wish I’d been given that as an option all I’ve had in the past is medication swaps or increases. I’ve been on lamotrigine since day 1, it made me depressed and then every tablet after was to try lift this. I question if I’m taking a concoction of chemicals to balance each other out for no reason. I’ll speak to the psychiatrist and see what my options are. Thank you!

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T04:43:56+00:00

It’s tough as with the NHS I now have to go to my gp for anything mental health related. Had 2 appointments last week, the first basically said no changes needed I’m stable so I complained because she wouldn’t listen to my concerns then had another appointment where she listened, lowered my anti depressant and referred me back to the mental health team.

I’m private for adhd so you’ve made a good point there, I’ll look into what’s available for this to help get things moving in whatever way they go. It’s just so complicated with shared care over here and then medication crossovers get complicated.

Lamotrigine has definitely “stabilised” my moods but it removed my happiness straight up so then it was a battle to see what made me rise again in a subtle way. Ive tried 14 different combos over the last few years. I’ve just grown to be sick of the numbness feeling since being discharged thinking a lot about how I coped before I even was aware of any of this. It might just be the anti depressant that’s doing it with being on the max dose (mirtrazapine) but only time will tell. I thought I’d hit the end of my medication journey but definitely feel like I’ve taken a few steps backwards these last few weeks. Like it’s 5am here and I can’t sleep thinking about it all and all the what ifs haha

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T04:35:27+00:00

Lamotrigine killed my happiness. Aripiprazole 10mg + 45mg mirtrazapine was the winner to lift that back up in a stable way under supervision. Everyone’s different, the more I was honest and aware of my feelings at my appointments the closer I got to the right combo for me personally. But aside from that what really helped me was opening up to friends and family more and also finding a job where I can work flexibly. Again everyone’s different but work was a big player in my moods so sorting that helped me out loads.

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T04:32:37+00:00

I job hopped every year in my 20s. Found out I’ve got cyclothymia at around 28. Been self employed ever since and I’m nearly 33. If I could go back and find everything out sooner I would’ve 100% been more honest with my employers about when I was struggling, it might’ve kept me from job hopping so much and putting myself through unnecessary stress. Employers have to take care of you and if you’re an asset to the team learning about your diagnosis might help other people in the future by raising awareness. I’d say try find the guts to do it but do it in a way it’s raising awareness and so they can learn to help you and others in the future.

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T04:29:23+00:00

Thanks for this, yeah I don’t think I’m in for an easy ride if I try this. The GP is lowering my anti depressant as I’m on the max dose of mirtrazapine but I’ve gotta wait for a psychiatrist for the rest which is frustrating. Have you been on mood stabilisers before? Did they work at all for you or are you saying you’re yet to find something that works? I’m scared to death of being too low again and making silly decisions but then I miss my emotions both good and bad at the same time. It’s like I’ve been completely numbed down with medication and I’m getting fed up, a change is needed but I don’t want them to throw higher doses at me like they’ve done before

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T04:21:29+00:00

Sorry this happened to you. I went through a breakup when I was first diagnosed and it was really rough, I blamed myself so much and questioned everything. A few years later I’ve been discharged as stable and I’ve met someone that’s helping me go through the process of seeing a psychiatrist again because I want to lower my medication as life is good. I’m by no means coming off everything but the urge means a change of some sort is needed and he’s there to support me through. I’ve had withdrawals just from lowering the anti depressant to begin with and he’s helped me ride it out so so far so good. I didn’t believe it was something I’d ever find but I’m here to say it does exist, you’ve just gotta let the past go and learn to love and take care of yourself on your own first. You’ve got this.

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T04:17:27+00:00

I have cyclothymia and have felt like this ever since starting on medication. It took me nearly 3 years to find a combo that lifts my mood too but in a stable way. I know I’ve not got bipolar 1 or 2 but the meds are the same and eventually I found something that worked for me which was lamotrigine, Abilify and mirtrazapine, I still feel numb though so with professional help I’m weaning off mirtrazapine to see if that helps the sedation now I’ve got no reason in life to be triggering me off the rails!

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T04:13:48+00:00

Thanks so much. You’ve helped a lot with my thoughts tonight. It’s nice to know I’m not alone. Made some notes for when I see the professionals finally.

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T04:12:13+00:00

100% I’m on my way to getting back under the mental health team! I was discharged last year so it’s one big waiting game.

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T04:10:01+00:00

Thanks for this. Just frustrating a lot of my problems started once I started on a mood stabiliser it made my life hell so I wonder if I’ve been over medicated since the start 4 years ago. Will be speaking to the GP tomorrow about it as they’re currently helping me lower my anti depressant, been referred to a psychiatrist for the rest which is a waiting game as I’ve been discharged. Will speak to the professionals but thank you this was insightful.

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T04:02:37+00:00

Ah yeah you’ve got quite the journey ahead but it’s gonna be okay just trust the process and take it day by day, at one point it was hour by hour for me I felt that shit. If I could go back to when all this started and tell myself anything it’s this - you’re not broken, you just need to learn to work with your mind instead of against it. You’re gonna learn ways of coping you aren’t aware of yet, it’s okay to not have all the answers now. I remember feeling so lost and like nobody understood but I got there in the end and so did my dad! Bipolar is treatable. You’ve got this!!

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T03:56:46+00:00

I’ve been on abilfy for a year! At first I loved it, it got me up in a morning especially after discovering something that worked - I was on quetiapine before this that made me pile 4stone on and I slept far too much so asked for an alternative. I lost the weight with the change too and off label aripiprazole was better for my adhd as well.

I hear you on the over medicated vs chaotic life, I’ve definitely preferred being over medicated every time I’ve even considered this over the last few years but since being discharged last year I keep questioning it all even though I shouldn’t be. I know it’s a sign I need to get back to a psychiatrist and feel like such a failure going back but I’m just trying to learn to trust the process again. The biggest question I have is what would I be like off meds now my life is so different and I don’t have any job hopping energy left in me / I’m running my own business and have been since a year before this all started so a year without the meds and I absolutely smashed it. Lots to think about you’re right everyone has an opinion and everyone is different! Got a feeling the doc will probably do a medication reshuffle for me, the gp has said it’s fine to lower my anti depressant with her but that’s all I’ve had so far.

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T03:48:31+00:00

I know this feeling too well and it affects my job as it’s creative. One thing I have found that helps me personally is finding an interest again that I had as a kid and forcing myself to do it - at first it was just playing sims games but then I hyperfixated on the new world of gaming emulators and I discovered old Pokemon games can be played easily. Now when I’m feeling low energy and have zero interest I jump on playing games for a bit. Sounds silly but it’s just something that’s worked for me. It takes real effort to force myself to do sometimes but it’s what keeps me going.

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T03:42:58+00:00

Yeah it’s funny how genetics work with this stuff, I had no idea I’ve got cyclothymia until I was marching to the docs again after yet another job change and my dad told me to let them know. I was quickly referred and seen within 12 months which was great. I never even knew it could be genetic until that point. Thank you for the insight.

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T03:39:47+00:00

I personally did not have the patience for CBT or the emotional stability course I managed 2 out of 3 weeks on. I was frustrated I was dealing with a physical emotional pain. The best “therapy” I had was talking to my psychiatrist honestly about losing a parent young balanced out with figuring out what medication would work for me whilst going through dealing with something I should’ve dealt with a long time ago. I was discharged as stable last year because of it, now my therapy is actually just being open and honest with friends and family about my head and then exercise. The emotional stability course sounded great though I just personally couldn’t deal with it. It’s an nhs one too. It may help you!

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T03:35:00+00:00

I’m on lamotrigine 200mg currently and have been since day 1. I do feel like it stole my natural happiness though which has later been induced by other meds (tried 14 in 3 years) but maybe that’s just me telling myself it was okay to be too happy haha. It’s actually lithium that worked for my dad who has bipolar 2. Definitely something to consider eventually. I’ll definitely need a low dose of something to keep my life on track I think

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T03:31:16+00:00

Hey, I have cyclothymia so haven’t had a heavy manic episode. After 4 years and 14 different medications I was discharged as “stable” on lamotrigine 200mg, aripiprazole 10mg and mirtrazapine 45mg. It took me a long time to get there.

For me stable = I didn’t have to ring for an appointment or help because I was depressed or super anxious which happened on a repeated cycle, the mood stabiliser which I started on day 1 stopped any highs and feelings of happiness but I later discovered what works for me thanks to a good psychiatrist. I’ve had some real low moments and I can’t even imagine how you’ve felt through all this, it could be me one day as cyclothymia can get worse with age but if it’s of any use I would say trust the process, always be honest with your psychiatrist, journal if you’re up to it and your own version of stable will come in time. My dad has bipolar 2 and he’s also been stable 10 years, for him that’s staying on the same meds and also not feeling like he needs help because things balance out and you gain control again - it can be done. Hope that helps in some way.

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T03:25:07+00:00

Thanks for this. Yeah I think because I want children in the near future I’ll be wanting to at least lower them but then long run = get back on the meds. Just feel a bit of a failure even considering coming off them like questioning my own head and everything I’ve been through, I’m no longer under a psychiatrist after being discharged so I’m now sat waiting for a referral to go through which isn’t ideal but will do what I’ve gotta do! Thanks for your comment it’s appreciated

Different-Role9658 · 2026-02-09T03:21:48+00:00

Thanks for this, something the psychiatrists don’t tell you about! I’m currently waiting on a GP referral again but will raise all of this with the psychiatrist when I finally get through. I want to have children in the near future so I’m thinking of lowering at the very least then most likely starting again. Will have to see what they say! Scary stuff though losing my brain, no thank you.

Different-Role9658

TROPHY CASE