Posted by violette on July 26, 2010, at 9:29:18
In reply to Re: Diagnosis Problems » violette, posted by ace on July 26, 2010, at 1:44:35
> I wouldn't say that the problem with psychiatric diagnosis is due to the division between Axis I and Axis II disorders, it's more of a general problem due to the difficulty in categorizing mental health problems into discreet illnesses. In the real world, psychiatric problems frequently don't fit into neat little categories.
Ed UK, yes, I agree with what you said..and it's not that I think this division in the only source of this problem, but emphasized it because the research, including numerous case studies, associated with Axis II explains alot of the source behind the symptoms as patients range in a continum of Axis II traits to the actual disorders. I posted this link somewhere else here, but it shows how a psychodynamic formulation (as opposed to a diagnostic DSM code) can improve patient outcomes:
http://jppr.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/7/1/35
> I don't find much use in the diagnosis names for a couple reasons. First, they aren't very helpful in actually getting the person well. Second, there is a fair amount of overlap between them, as you have noticed. The worst thing is that they are subjective definitions that will vary depending on the eye of the beholder.
> I've been diagnosed with both Axis I and II. The difference for me was in how the diagnosing shrink viewed me and my problems. When I had a shrink who wanted to dismiss me entirely, it was a personality disorder. When I had a shrink who thought I was too weird and disordered to possibly be a functioning human being, it was schizophrenia. When I had a shrink who viewed me as a person with problems, it was a variant of Bipolar I.
> Mental illnesses (and personality disorders) are literally voted into and out of existence. Think about it...do we do that with other health problems?
Christ Emplowered, I have heard similar stories about the diagnostic issue you experienced, and am sorry to hear you were treated that way. There are very well-meaning psychiatrists and therapists out there who view patients as a person and not a disorder. I agree with everything you said...and that's one reason I point this out here-as people sometimes seem very focused on their curren diagnosis..which of course is helpful overall in some ways, but leaves so much unaddressed..and I wonder if the unhelpfulness outweighs the helpfulness of that type of thinking. The subjectivity in it all probably makes it more difficult to 'classify' as you pointed out.
> Almost everyone here fits that description, is the only reason I mention it. When I focus on treating those, progress is made.
> Very familiar with all the diagnostics...Send me to 10 different doctors I will get a different take from each one. I just don't find any of that productive or useful.
Blueberry-I agree with you about treating the source to alleviate the symptoms rather than just alleviating symptoms. I don't see it as physiological as you, but agree treating the source of the disorder will be more effective.
> I give only a small amount of credence to the psychiatric diagnostic system. It is much better to see a person as a totality, rather than put their symptoms into these holes.
> I give only a small amount of credence to the psychiatric diagnostic system. It is much better to see a person as a totality, rather than put their symptoms into these holes.
Ace, There are doctors who don't use this system, my PDoc is an example of one, and it's my hope the psychiatric system progresses toward this someday...I'm not convinced it will due to drug and other influences, but there are researches and clinicians who do recognize this.
No, I don't think you contradicted yourself :) Labels are necessary for research and discussion; but I see conventional psychiatry not including concepts described in literature and research that includes Axis II underlying causes.
> So now I see a person as having a psychiatric problem which is peculiar to THEMSELVES, although certain characteristics maybe shared with other people who are suffering similiar problems.
Ace-That's a really nice summary you pointed out. I do think patients would benefit if treatment is individualized through psychodynamic formulations rather than those diagnostic codes people keep referring to.
I'm glad to hear how you all recognized this as it took me a long time-and several psychiatrists who were only treating my anxiety and depression symptoms-to figure this out. And after having recognized this, my treatment outcome has been so much better. It has really benefited me and I hope it benefits others as much as it has helped me.
> God Bless You!
> AceI'm blessed by having found my PDoc...same to you!
poster:violette
thread:955861
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100720/msgs/955965.html