How many psychiatrist appointments will it take to get a diagnosis??
Question: I've got my second assessment with a psychiatrist soon. How many times will I have to see them before I get a diagnosis and prescribed medication?
(I previously had a diagnosis of depression and generalised anxiety disorder, but they are investigating the possibility of OCD, Bipolar and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at the moment if that helps)
Answers: Don't wish for a diagnosis, it will come soon enough, and once they are sure what it is they will give it to you.
Many people feel that once they receive their diagnosis they are labelled for life and are therefore subject to all the stigma and discrimination that can go along a mental illness.
I find it strange that you are having more than one assessment, normally someone would have one assessment and then appointments to follow up, providing the assessment proves the need for treatment.
It does sound that you suffering a great deal and that symptoms that are common to more than one diagnosis are present, this could be the reason that they haven't defined quite yet, which illness covers them all.
My suggestion would be to make an appointment to see your GP and discuss it with him/her. Just because you are seeing a psychiatrist doesn't mean that you can't still receive help and support from your GP, that is what they are there for.
If your symptoms are causing you major problems then you need to ask if your GP can prescribe something to help you until you have a clear diagnosis and set treatment plan.
Again, when you next see your psychiatrist, ask the question that you have asked here. It is a valid question and one that he should be able to answer better than anyone on here will be able to.
These links to the Mind website offer easy to read and understand information for the illnesses you mentioned:
Understanding OCD
http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Bookl...
Understanding Bipolar disorder
http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Bookl...
Understanding PTSD
http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Bookl...
You may not want to read them now, but they will be useful once you do get that diagnosis that you want.
Hope this helps.
For me, it only took one.
There is no specific answer to this question. It all depends on the condition and the ability of the psychiatrist. Some conditions and syndromes can be diagnosed with one visit. Others take years of diagnosing.
Unfortunately it takes as long as it takes. Yours is obviously quite an unsual and indepth problem. You need to just hang on for a bit becuase they are trying to diagnose the best treatments for you... the best thing you can do is adhere to their suggestions and communicate openly with your psychiatrist.
I wish you all the best.
See your GP you must be referred to the psychiatrist because it sounds as thou they should give you some mild anti depressants which they havent.
??? you must be joking...they are very good at labelling people as this or that & also diagnosing people with all sorts of problems but as for a cure, they give out tablets like smarties. I'm sorry to destroy your hopes or for the negative feedback but although your doctor could be good, most of them are like this. I don't have much faith in them.
I have learnt to ask help from God, to guide & help me to people & places that can help me. God won't let you down, you are His child & He loves you.
Why do you want a diagnosis? That's a stigma you carry around for life, and will be used against you in the court of law if you ever have to battle for custody of your children. Just go to someone and ask them to give you feedback on how to better handle yourself in certain situations.
As long as you see them. I don't say don't go to your appointments, they can be very helpful. However, they, like Doctors, as all tradespeople, need business.
They have harmed, as much as healed me.
Truly.
(I previously had a diagnosis of depression and generalised anxiety disorder, but they are investigating the possibility of OCD, Bipolar and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at the moment if that helps)
Answers: Don't wish for a diagnosis, it will come soon enough, and once they are sure what it is they will give it to you.
Many people feel that once they receive their diagnosis they are labelled for life and are therefore subject to all the stigma and discrimination that can go along a mental illness.
I find it strange that you are having more than one assessment, normally someone would have one assessment and then appointments to follow up, providing the assessment proves the need for treatment.
It does sound that you suffering a great deal and that symptoms that are common to more than one diagnosis are present, this could be the reason that they haven't defined quite yet, which illness covers them all.
My suggestion would be to make an appointment to see your GP and discuss it with him/her. Just because you are seeing a psychiatrist doesn't mean that you can't still receive help and support from your GP, that is what they are there for.
If your symptoms are causing you major problems then you need to ask if your GP can prescribe something to help you until you have a clear diagnosis and set treatment plan.
Again, when you next see your psychiatrist, ask the question that you have asked here. It is a valid question and one that he should be able to answer better than anyone on here will be able to.
These links to the Mind website offer easy to read and understand information for the illnesses you mentioned:
Understanding OCD
http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Bookl...
Understanding Bipolar disorder
http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Bookl...
Understanding PTSD
http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Bookl...
You may not want to read them now, but they will be useful once you do get that diagnosis that you want.
Hope this helps.
For me, it only took one.
There is no specific answer to this question. It all depends on the condition and the ability of the psychiatrist. Some conditions and syndromes can be diagnosed with one visit. Others take years of diagnosing.
Unfortunately it takes as long as it takes. Yours is obviously quite an unsual and indepth problem. You need to just hang on for a bit becuase they are trying to diagnose the best treatments for you... the best thing you can do is adhere to their suggestions and communicate openly with your psychiatrist.
I wish you all the best.
See your GP you must be referred to the psychiatrist because it sounds as thou they should give you some mild anti depressants which they havent.
??? you must be joking...they are very good at labelling people as this or that & also diagnosing people with all sorts of problems but as for a cure, they give out tablets like smarties. I'm sorry to destroy your hopes or for the negative feedback but although your doctor could be good, most of them are like this. I don't have much faith in them.
I have learnt to ask help from God, to guide & help me to people & places that can help me. God won't let you down, you are His child & He loves you.
Why do you want a diagnosis? That's a stigma you carry around for life, and will be used against you in the court of law if you ever have to battle for custody of your children. Just go to someone and ask them to give you feedback on how to better handle yourself in certain situations.
As long as you see them. I don't say don't go to your appointments, they can be very helpful. However, they, like Doctors, as all tradespeople, need business.
They have harmed, as much as healed me.
Truly.
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