Bi-Polar type 2 - confusion

[Whatawoman]

I was refered to a psychiatrist to confirm PTSD for which I have been recieving counselling. I came out with a tentative diagnosis of Bi-Polar Type 2 disorder. I am totally confused as my symptoms do not meet any of the diagnostic criteria.

I have had a bad few months in March and April while the PTSD (from my ex husband trying to kill me and our daughter in 2004) resurfaced. I lost my appetite, felt guilty like I was failing at everything I did, couldn't sleep, felt hopless, worthless, cried a lot, had a couple of panic attacks. But this is not normal behaviour for me. I don't have mood swings, never have really high mania or hypermania swings, Yep I impulse spend  and comfort eat chocolate.

To give a little history -  I had a rough childhood, dysfunctional family life, bullied at school, took an overdose at 13, and pregnant at 15... my son was born with Downs Syndrome and my life changed forever...Yep I have periods of high very high stress as David is also Autistic and I had to fight till he was 10 to get the dual diagnosis. As a young single mum with a special needs child and little support I learnt that chocolate and spending were the only comforts available to me.

When I got the dual diagnosis I fell apart I was refered to a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with reactive depresion, saw me twice and said I would eb fine and I was.

My ex husband is diagnosed with Cluster B type personalit -  strongly Sociopath and narcasistic- he has OCD Homicide, Bi-polar, and is an alcoholic amongst other things. We had 3 years of fantastic marriage -  I was the happiest I have ever been -  he was a consumate actor and it was having a daughter that ought his inside outside -  he tried to kill us and then later talked about the real him with all his hurrendous fantasies.

he is trying to get access or custody of our daughter and that triggered the flashbacks and the fears and the PTSD -

Now this psyhiatrist I saw yesterday says the external factors jsut mask a hidden mental health issue that has made it hard for em to cope with the life events... he said it is not Bi Polar but he thinks it is Bi-polar type 2-

I feel strongly that I am reacting to life issues and 3 episodes in 20 years cannot make a mental health disorder....

I am also currently undergoing investigation for possible breast cancer and waiting a core needle biopsy on Friday 13th June... again a huge stress for a single parent with little faily support, a special needs child and a toddler to consider.

The psychiatrist wants to do a fullblood count and check my thyroid and pituitary gland -  ( I dont have excess energy, I have thick hair, I am about 30lbs over weight -  so not an overactive thyroid me thinks!! ) He is seeing me again in 2 months.

My question is do I go with his thoughts and allow myself to be diagnosed with a now popular diagnosis or do I ask for an earlier second opinion and see someone else?


Sorry this post is so long and thank you to anyone who take the time to reply
Helen

[Whatawoman]

Thank you Linda -
I appreciate your reply and thank you for sharing your PTSD diagnosis too -  many people don't want to admit to it.
I think you are right  need a clearer head and a quieter life before I can be sure whethere I can consider bi-polar type 2 to be a reality for me.
Seeing my GP on Tuesday it is he who refered me for PTSD in the first place.

Helen
x

[determined2beatit]

Hi,
I too suffered PTSD after a horrendous car accident 17 years ago. It was then, shortly afterwards that they diagnosed me with bipolar type 2 disorder. I rejected the diagnosis because it confused me with the head injury affects from the accident. Sure enough I did have Bipolar type2 which my doctor said can be brought out and diagnosed after a severe stressful occurence. For 17 years I have been fighting bipolar and know he was right.It took me 5years to admit it but for me, the symptons were classic. I couldn't believe this was what I had and why I never noticed it before in my life.sounds like you are going through hell right now and it's understandable that you would experience these reactions.It's hard to SIFT through it all with the outside issues and what your feeling. You might have to see what happens when the situations in your life stabilize and see how you feel. I think anyone would experience what you have...bipolar or not given the situation.I would hang in there and give it some time and or get another opinion. Good Luck!
Linda

[Tyzer33]

That sounds a lot like the 1st guy i went to see it was supposed to be an assesment i was told it would last about 45 mins i dont even think it lasted 5. like yours he had already his mind made up about me and what action to take before he even set eyes on me. Im on nearly 20 times the amout of meds now than he originally  prescribed me. Tho like i said before ive a great psychiatrist now she said that she didnt want to try and fit me into a box but to find a box that fits me. Again hope this helps

[Whatawoman]

Thank you for your reply -  I am not adverse to any diagnosis as long as it fits me -  but the way he asked questions and the way he ignored my replies told me he had already decided before meeting me what was wrong.

Im glad that you go the diagnosis you needed and were able to get the right help :)
Helen
x

[Tyzer33]

I think the main thing is that if your not happy with the diagnosis go for a second opinion. the 1st psychiatrist i went to see did the opposite and labeled all my problems as being caused by a lot of deaths of people close to me in a short space of time. This was completley wrong and i knew it. Just because they are a doctor or psychiatrist doesnt mean they are always right. I am bi-polar and alot of the things you described in your bad months i would also get. I have read a lot about bipolar and there is such a thing as having maybe one or two episodes during stressfull times and then pretty much living a normal life otherwise maybe better described as borderline bipolar, there are so many different types of it. Its strange beacaue im at the other end of the scale, were im from they dont like diagnosing people with bp it took me a long time and a good psychiatrist and pscyhiatric nurse before i was finally getting the right help. I hope my opinion on this helps you