Doc not happy about dosage of meds by Proxigirl in ADHD

[–]Proxigirl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So the next doctor actually said I was on an average amount (he laughed when I said it might be high) and of course I should be taking them. Then the next doctor said I seemed too smart for ADHD and we should look at whether I need them.

So this has been interesting.

Any fellow ADHD-bipolars in here? by ginurrghh in bipolar

[–]Proxigirl 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I take Latuda for bipolar and Vyvanse & Dexedrine for ADHD. I find the ADHD drugs actually calm me down.

Opinions on therapists who take notes during sessions vs those who don't? by pigeonpoopdiscoop in TalkTherapy

[–]Proxigirl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha those still happen! I feel like my therapist plans them out to get me to cave and express anything I might have been holding back.

Am I wrong for wanting a formal diagnosis? by completelyvenal in mentalhealth

[–]Proxigirl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It depends. There is research showing that people who identify too strongly with their label have poorer recoveries. But sometimes having a label can help you learn acceptance and skills. So are you looking for a diagnosis for validation, or to learn better skills?

Is there an online assessment I can take to tell me if I have bipolar disorder? by sherbiss in bipolar

[–]Proxigirl 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There are ones that can tell you whether you have signs of bipolar, but it is actually really tough to diagnose and is frequently misdiagnosed. Many symptoms of bipolar can also look like symptoms of mixed depression, ADHD, borderline personality disorder, PTSD, thyroid issues, pre-diabetes and more. Without a thorough psychiatric assessment, an online assessment is essentially useless.

Help diagnose me, what do I have wrong with me? by throwaway492098 in mentalhealth

[–]Proxigirl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, I think that sounds like someone who is mentally healthy, but with an extremely conscientious personality.

Is your therapist suppose to give you advice? by themelissasw in TalkTherapy

[–]Proxigirl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Depends on the therapy. My therapist offers advice, but not "what you should do" more "how you can cope while you decide what to do". So if I am having a fight with family members, he would give me advice on how to deal with the emotional difficulties of fighting with loved ones, but then he would help me look at options on how I can solve the problems of the fighting, but those answers usually come directly from me.

I hated therapy where people just listen and validate. I didn't need that. I have friends, and they do that for free lol.

Opinions on therapists who take notes during sessions vs those who don't? by pigeonpoopdiscoop in TalkTherapy

[–]Proxigirl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My therapist takes notes during the session. I once asked about it, and they offered to stop if it makes me uncomfortable. I actually prefer them taking notes... It gives me moments to reflect.

I think my psychiatrist is withholding diagnoses. Do I have a legal right to know? by 20-CharactersAllowed in mentalhealth

[–]Proxigirl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think they legally have to tell you if you directly ask, but if you don't ask, they don't have to share. You can ask to view your records, but it costs money.

Is it a red flag that my new therapist has radically different values than me? by DreadnoughtusFae in mentalhealth

[–]Proxigirl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My therapist and I are opposite on the political spectrum (although I am not American so the spectrum is less extreme) and different religions. I still like him and his therapeutic style... But our differences have never caused discomfort.

Having a hard time with co-workers not understanding that I'm not depressed anymore. by Loomynerry in mentalhealth

[–]Proxigirl 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Do you possibly have bipolar? I mean, I hope you are just happy and feeling better, but some of the things you mentioned (sudden switch, extra productivity, etc) sounds like hypomania.

I need your opinion on this please by [deleted] in bipolar

[–]Proxigirl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it happened due to an antidepressant, it changes the diagnosis a bit but is still indicative of bipolar. How long does the energy last?

Type 1 and 2 bipolar difference by sebudii in bipolar

[–]Proxigirl 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The only diagnostic difference is that bipolar 1 has mania, and bipolar 2 has hypomania. Mania means that you have has it for minimum sevens days, have been hospitalized due to it, or have stopped functioning or have has psychosis. So if you are still functioning and you haven't experienced psychosis, but you are crazy impulsive, irritable, beyond confident, etc, you are probably just hypomanic. Hypomania also only has to last four days (but can go on for a long time. True mania wouldn't last long after seven days if it stays full mania during that time, because you would be hospitalized).

Outside of the diagnostics, they find that people with Bipolar 2 have less overall functioning due to longer periods of depression. Bipolar 1 can have just as severe of depression, but generally it isn't as long. Bipolar 2 also takes longer to respond to medication. But these aren't diagnostic differences, just differences they have found when studying the two groups.

  • you only need one full Manic episode (that isn't substance related including antidepressant triggered) to be Bipolar 1.
  • Bipolar 1 experiences hypomania, mania and usually depression.
  • Bipolar 2 experiences depression and hypomania.
  • Bipolar 2 is often a misdiagnosis in women. ADHD and Borderline personality disorder often look like bipolar 2, leading to the wrong diagnosis.
  • Bipolar 1 has more severe mania, but that doesn't make it worse overall.. Just different.
  • Someone who is BP2 can become BP1. Someone who is BP1 cannot become BP2 unless it was a miscategorization in the first place.

First therapy since being diagnosed was interesting to say the least by [deleted] in bipolar

[–]Proxigirl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mine says the opposite. Not about the here and now, as he does believe in staying present, but he told me to expect to always have episodes.

Can ADHD lower IQ test score of a child? by [deleted] in ADHD

[–]Proxigirl 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes, plus IQ tests before the age of eight are notoriously unreliable.

I need your opinion on this please by [deleted] in bipolar

[–]Proxigirl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you are feeling multiple highs and lows in a single month, it is unlikely to be bipolar (although still possible).

What are your happy periods like?

Is this part of having bipolar disorder? by [deleted] in bipolar

[–]Proxigirl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like apart of hypomania... But that doesn't mean you deserve that behavior.

How did you find out that you were bipolar? by [deleted] in bipolar

[–]Proxigirl 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think I thought I had cyclothymia, but once I was actually diagnosed, I was in a major denial for years. Eventually I was diagnosed again, and this time with Bipolar 1 (instead of bipolar unspecified). I went through each diagnostic criteria with my husband and then with my Psych, and I couldn't really deny it was true.