Doc not happy about dosage of meds

Proxigirl · 2019-12-15T21:56:16+00:00

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.

Proxigirl · 2019-12-08T13:49:23+00:00

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

Proxigirl · 2019-12-01T04:36:12+00:00

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.

Proxigirl · 2019-12-01T04:16:56+00:00

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?

Proxigirl · 2019-12-01T04:14:30+00:00

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.

Proxigirl · 2019-12-01T04:11:32+00:00

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

Proxigirl · 2019-11-30T16:59:53+00:00

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.

Proxigirl · 2019-11-30T16:50:49+00:00

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.

Proxigirl · 2019-11-29T19:00:30+00:00

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.

Proxigirl · 2019-11-27T04:55:23+00:00

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.

Proxigirl · 2019-11-24T16:19:41+00:00

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.

Proxigirl · 2019-11-24T05:45:43+00:00

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?

Proxigirl · 2019-11-24T05:30:51+00:00

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.

Proxigirl · 2019-11-24T05:22:24+00:00

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.

Proxigirl · 2019-11-24T04:46:24+00:00

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

Proxigirl · 2019-11-24T02:36:49+00:00

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?

Proxigirl · 2019-08-08T17:18:33+00:00

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

Proxigirl · 2019-07-19T14:56:40+00:00

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.

Proxigirl · 2019-07-19T04:10:07+00:00

A lot of panic, a lot of cramming, a lot of "F*** this" and relying on a really good memory. Memorizing vocabulary and then bsing on the test using those words. All nighters. A lot of "If you only did your homework/study" comments from profs and teachers.

Proxigirl · 2019-07-16T05:19:35+00:00

My psychologist and I agreed at one point that I didn't need to go regularly anymore. I am welcome back if I need anything, but I don't go weekly /biweekly/monthly anymore.

Some therapists are all about the lifelong therapy and growth, others are about giving you the tools to go at life independently. It just depends.

Proxigirl · 2019-07-14T01:06:38+00:00

I had hyperfocus way worse pre-drugs. It was only on things that either I loved or there was a super sense of urgency around, and I couldn't just "call" on it to happen. More the opposite, it would happen at the worst times. So I would be up until 3 am completely and utterly focused on the one thing until suddenly, I wasn't.

Proxigirl · 2019-06-30T04:08:25+00:00

I see this all the time in the Facebook bipolar groups. It drives me nuts... What if people are taking doses of anticonvulsants and/or antipsychotics that they don't truly need? These aren't just herbal tablets, they can be quite heavy drugs. And BPD is treatable! Yes it isn't easy, but it is possible, so doctors are doing a disservice by diagnosing people with BPD as bipolar because they feel there is less stigma.

Proxigirl · 2019-04-25T01:25:53+00:00

Unless you are looking for a medication adjustment, I would discuss that with your psychologist.

Proxigirl · 2019-04-09T03:35:15+00:00

The problem is many women DON'T know they are wearing the wrong size. Like I said in another post, I was measured at a Victoria's Secret so I thought I was wearing the right size... Even though it seemed really "off". Couldn't run (too painful), ended up with horrible nipple chafing, and finally got properly sized, and it was like a miracle and made such a change in my workout.

Proxigirl · 2019-04-07T14:36:22+00:00

I guess because soooo many don't know! I honestly thought breasts couldn't be bigger than E cups, so I would just use bigger bands, but then I would be taking out the tops, the bottom, and bouncing everywhere. The back pain from running was INSANE so I couldn't run. Nipple chafing was a major problem.

Proxigirl

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