Psycho-Babble Psychology Thread 312036

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Questions about getting a dx

Posted by All Done on February 11, 2004, at 11:27:49

How important is it to have an official dx? Do therapists diagnose or only pdocs? I’m switching pdocs from one who never spent more than 5 minutes at a time with me every 3 months or so. Should I ask my new pdoc for a dx? I kind of feel like how can I fight City Hall if I can’t find it. Not to mention it feels kind of lousy to be so in the dark about my own health. Doesn’t that seem kind of strange?

 

to clarify

Posted by All Done on February 11, 2004, at 11:32:16

In reply to Questions about getting a dx, posted by All Done on February 11, 2004, at 11:27:49

Years ago, my primary care physician sent me to a pdoc with depression. It's just that lately, I've been wondering if that's just it or if there's more going on. I don't know what typical symptoms of other diagnoses there are, though.

 

Re: to clarify » All Done

Posted by Penny on February 11, 2004, at 11:45:34

In reply to to clarify, posted by All Done on February 11, 2004, at 11:32:16

Usually, I think the main thing a dx is used for is insurance purposes. Your new pdoc will decide for himself most likely what your dx is. A therapist can diagnose too, and the T's dx doesn't necessarily have to match up with the pdoc's dx.

My dx is "Mood Disorders - Not Otherwise Specified". I used to know the DSM-IV numbers, but no longer. My former T dxed me with "Major Depressive Disorder - Recurrent" and "Dysthymic Disorder". My current T asked what my pdoc had dxed me with - I told her, and she said, "Well, I'll go with that, as it doesn't really matter - I just have to have something to put on the insurance forms."

IMO, your diagnosis doesn't really matter - the doc or therapist should be treating you based on what you tell them, not going by the book based on a diagnosis. Not to mention that DSM diagnoses aren't always agreed upon as being accurate by different docs. They use it anyway, but it's just a label.

P

 

Re: to clarify » Penny

Posted by All Done on February 11, 2004, at 13:00:46

In reply to Re: to clarify » All Done, posted by Penny on February 11, 2004, at 11:45:34

> Usually, I think the main thing a dx is used for is insurance purposes. Your new pdoc will decide for himself most likely what your dx is. A therapist can diagnose too, and the T's dx doesn't necessarily have to match up with the pdoc's dx.
>
> My dx is "Mood Disorders - Not Otherwise Specified". I used to know the DSM-IV numbers, but no longer. My former T dxed me with "Major Depressive Disorder - Recurrent" and "Dysthymic Disorder". My current T asked what my pdoc had dxed me with - I told her, and she said, "Well, I'll go with that, as it doesn't really matter - I just have to have something to put on the insurance forms."
>
> IMO, your diagnosis doesn't really matter - the doc or therapist should be treating you based on what you tell them, not going by the book based on a diagnosis. Not to mention that DSM diagnoses aren't always agreed upon as being accurate by different docs. They use it anyway, but it's just a label.
>
> P
>


Thanks, Penny. This makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, I disliked my pdoc so much, I haven't even seen him in quite some time. I question if my treatment is even correct. I think I'll just discuss this with the new pdoc (before she goes on her maternity leave - it's always something, you know?)

Thanks for your post. It helped me to realize I shouldn't focus as much on the dx as the treatment.

 

Re: to clarify

Posted by shortelise on February 11, 2004, at 14:01:26

In reply to Re: to clarify » Penny, posted by All Done on February 11, 2004, at 13:00:46

I have a horror of dx. My T says that he has not made one (no need for one), that the dx I have figured out is somewhat correct but that these are almost arbitrary as very few people fit the dx exactly - most are a combination of things.

Shorte

 

Re: to clarify » shortelise

Posted by All Done on February 12, 2004, at 0:40:40

In reply to Re: to clarify, posted by shortelise on February 11, 2004, at 14:01:26

> I have a horror of dx. My T says that he has not made one (no need for one), that the dx I have figured out is somewhat correct but that these are almost arbitrary as very few people fit the dx exactly - most are a combination of things.
>
> Shorte

Thanks, Shorte. I'm going to try to keep in mind that it is an arbitrary determination and hopefully, I can trust my T and new pdoc enough to make the correct decisions regarding my treatment. They are the experts, right? : )

Thanks again for your response!

All Done

 

Re: Questions about getting a dx » All Done

Posted by Elle2021 on February 12, 2004, at 1:08:16

In reply to Questions about getting a dx, posted by All Done on February 11, 2004, at 11:27:49

Like Penny said, dx's are mostly for insurance purposes. If you want to know your dx for your own personal knowledge, I suggest you really think about whether you want to know or not. I thought I did, but I didn't like what Burt told me. So, be careful there!
Elle

 

Re: Questions about getting a dx » Elle2021

Posted by terrics on February 12, 2004, at 16:27:55

In reply to Re: Questions about getting a dx » All Done, posted by Elle2021 on February 12, 2004, at 1:08:16

Hi Elle, That is so true! terrics

 

Re: About getting a dx - Elle and terrics

Posted by All Done on February 13, 2004, at 0:36:00

In reply to Re: Questions about getting a dx » All Done, posted by Elle2021 on February 12, 2004, at 1:08:16

Isn't it kind of strange, though, to know that you are being treated for something and you don't know what that something is? I feel so in the dark about the thing I should know more about than anyone - me! I guess this is hard for me to accept because I'm so used to doing everything myself. I very rarely depend on others to do anything for me and many times I find myself attempting to single-handedly fix the world. Why shouldn't I be able to "fix" myself?

Maybe I should have a little talk about dependency with my therapist this Saturday?


 

Re: About getting a dx - Elle and terrics » All Done

Posted by terrics on February 13, 2004, at 16:12:11

In reply to Re: About getting a dx - Elle and terrics, posted by All Done on February 13, 2004, at 0:36:00

Hi, good idea to discuss dependency with T. I think it is always a neccessary topic.

I would like to tell you what happened to me when a psychologist told me I was borderline...I cried for many hours and learned about cutting. This DX was something I would have been better off not knowing because it made me feel almost evil. I thought I was just depressed. So maybe it is not so wonderful to know your dx.unless you can handle something you may not want to know. terrics

 

Re: About getting a dx - Elle and terrics » All Done

Posted by Elle2021 on February 14, 2004, at 19:26:30

In reply to Re: About getting a dx - Elle and terrics, posted by All Done on February 13, 2004, at 0:36:00

> Isn't it kind of strange, though, to know that you are being treated for something and you don't know what that something is?

Yes, I felt strage about it too. If you think you can handle listening to your pdoc describe your dx, or if you just really want to know, then you should go ahead and ask. But you might feel labelled afterwards... And you know what that can lead to-self-prophesying, bad/hurt feelings... I just want you to be aware of all the possible outcomes so you are prepared.

>Why shouldn't I be able to "fix" myself?

I used to wonder the same thing! I've come to the conclusion that I can't fix myself because I can't be objective in relation to myself. I need someone else to look at what's going on.

> Maybe I should have a little talk about dependency with my therapist this Saturday?

Good plan. I hope I helped you a little bit...
Elle

 

Re: About getting a dx - Elle and terrics

Posted by All Done on February 15, 2004, at 1:16:32

In reply to Re: About getting a dx - Elle and terrics » All Done, posted by Elle2021 on February 14, 2004, at 19:26:30

Thanks, terrics and Elle. I will definitely think twice before I ask for a dx. It still seems a bit strange to me, but I understand your experiences and I want to be careful not to stress myself out anymore than necessary. After hearing from you both, the one thing I know is that *if* I do decide to ask for a dx, I won't make that decision without talking to my T about it first.

I really appreciate your advice. Thank you.

 

Re: About getting a dx - Elle and terrics

Posted by terrics on February 15, 2004, at 10:49:42

In reply to Re: About getting a dx - Elle and terrics, posted by All Done on February 15, 2004, at 1:16:32

Your welcome. It is very smart of you to decide to talk to your T. first. I would not have thought of it. terrics


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