I'm confused as to why the doctor thinks I'm mentally ill. What do you think, my doctor changed my diagnosis frequently?(details inside)

I find in my travels that second opinions are best when dealing with matters of the mind. I was diagnosed with bi-polar once and went to another doctor who said it was just “nerves” (whatever that means) and wanted to put me on drugs… You know you better than a doctor does and if your questions aren’t answered and you don’t get the help you think you need it’s ok to go somewhere else. I was in and out of counseling for years and the only thing I learned was that psychiatrists are educated beyond their intelligence.

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If your doctor is leaving you confused and seems vague, you need to consult another doctor. In fact, it can be useful to ask for a reference to a specialist in psychiatry or psychology.

When you are left with questions after a doctor visit, always write them down and schedule a follow up visit. We have found the personnell in Mental facilities are often not qualified to help the patients.

You can request a formal, written diagnosis, plus a second opinion. Be sure to ask for a written plan of treatment.

What do the people in your life notice? My mom is bipolar & very spiritual, bad with money & men. Check nami website.

Are you diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia? Are you expected to do chores at the boarding house? I think if you are feeling fairly stable you should consider getting a job for a few hours a week.

Are you taking meds regularly? Do you have regular psychiatric consultations and/or therapy? The people I know with mental illness who are functioning the highest are very structured and balanced with their meds and schedules and have good support. This allows them to work productively.

@janbb I take them with the little bubble wrap that tells me when to take them… the needle once a month of inVega sustana runs out to fast.

Mental illness is hard because our sense of self is all tied up with our mind and it feels very violating to be told by official looking folks that your core self is all messed up. Everyone here has provided very good advice, so I just want to extend you some good luck.

Your question is hard to answer. To put it bluntly, we—your fellow jellies—cannot possibly know if you have a mental illness. We aren’t doctors, and we haven’t observed, questioned, and spent time with you.

Mental illness is tricky. I have one. I have bipolar disorder. Initially, I was relieved to hear my diagnosis. It meant there was something wrong with me that had a name and was treatable. I have been in counselling for all of my adult life, and with my diagnosis, I have been on medication for 12 years.

The medicine helps, but it does not cure my illness. It helps me manage my life. I have experienced life without medicine for bipolar disorder, and it was extremely unpleasant. I have a lot of trust in my doctors. I tell them everything that goes on with me. I find that the more information I give them, the better help they can give me.

I applaud your desire to study. When I keep my mind busy, I’m happiest.

Here’s what works for me.

1. I take my medicine as prescribed.

2. I take care of me by doing small things to keep clean and healthy.

3. I try to socialize as much as possible.

4. I do things I enjoy.

I don’t know if those things will help you. I put them here for you to consider.

I wish you the best of luck.

P.S. It might not be a good idea to take medical advice from people you’ve never met on the Internet.