Posted by Kingfish on June 30, 2001, at 10:12:04
In reply to Re: What's worked 4 folks 4 BP II or other maladies? » MM, posted by Mitch on June 29, 2001, at 21:17:33
> It was important to me to have a diagnosis from my doctor, someplace to start and something down on paper so if I switch doctors, I won't feel like I have to "start all over again." I felt from the onset that their was manic depression in my family, and frankly, I feel I'm BP I.
That said, these ARE just labels created by humans to help categorize people and the meds that make sense to start folks on intially (at least that's part of it). But it changes all the time. As someone pointed out in Social Babble, Homosexuality used to be considered a mental disorder.
If you "mostly" fit into a DSM dianosis, I would guess starting with the meds that are used to treat that makes the most sense. I knew I needed a stabilizer. It took my pdoc a year and a half to prescribe me one, and within a few weeks, there was such a big difference in my life.
I'm not sure if I EVER went four days on a hypomanic or manic episode - I usually drank myself to sleep every night. What happens when it's changed to include - "one suicide attempt must be included"? Or the episode length is extended? I've had numerous psychotic episodes, but I'm still classified as BP II.
So, if the meds work, do you KNOW that the diagnosis is correct? No. Because these meds work for various maladies (there's that word again :) ) by pdoc's admissions anyway.
I think the best thing to do is to look at your family's history if you can, and do your own research, use your own common sense, make sure you get a pdoc who will talk to you about your concerns, and answer your questions. Be aware that it will take awhile because they will need to talk with you for awhile to form their opinions and I believe you do need to give them that - they don't know you at all.
Because this is all talk therapy at this point, there isn't a simple answer. But with time, I believe you should be able to find AN ANSWER that at least gives you guidelines.
- K.
poster:Kingfish
thread:67368
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010625/msgs/68477.html