The Doctor Is In . . .

[tracy_d74]

I did this a few months ago and I’m doing it again . . .

Ninety percent of the time when I see a show or read a book that has a psychologist, I cringe. Why? Two reasons: 1) psychologists are portrayed incorrectly; 2) mental illness is portrayed incorrectly. It drives me bonkers. Then I started thinking, maybe some of you writers out there need

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[tracy_d74]

Bipolar is one of those disorders that is misunderstood and therefore, misdiagnosed. People often think it is just moodswings or a moody person. WRONG!!! There is a cycle to it. Often times the person with the disorder does not see the cycle, they only know sometimes they are on top of the world, have a lot of energy and have great ideas. Other times they struggle to pull thoughts together and get dressed. For this reason, a family member or friend is often needed to provide a description of behaviors to the physician. Many psychiatrist have to make a quick diagnosis for insurance purposes so they can get reimbursed, SO they do not do a good job at ruling out other disorders or obtaining a good history.

If substance use is thrown in the mix . . . it makes a diagnosis even harder.

GAD would not be the same as depression, which is what is left if you don't have a manic episode. Depression and Anxiety often travel together (comorbid, psychologists say).

This question actually fits with my post for tomorrow. It's like you are in my head. (That's a scary place for you to be.:-))

[glynisj]

I think I told you that I've taken some psychology classes in college. In addition, I have known people who are really bipolar with the manic side and the depressed side. Unfortunately, I also know people who say that they have this disorder but don't have the manic side. I figure either they are lying or their medical professional doesn't know what s/he is talking about.

So your head is scary? We'll see about that. ;D

[tracy_d74]

yep, you told.

my first supervisor for therapy said: you have four truths occurring in the therapy room: 1) the client is lying and you know they are lying; 2) the client is lying and you don't know they are lying; 3) the client is telling the truth, but you think they are lying; 4) the client is telling the truth and you know they are telling the truth. The therapist's job is to uncover which truth is happening. Fun Times! Fun Times!

[tracy_d74]

ah! this would be a defense mechanism in action. i typically see this one.