Upset
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The cat is out of the bag... but it just got heavier.

I told my sister (the first person I told inmy family) about my bipolar disorder type 2.

Here is what she said:

She asked whether I saw a psychiatrist or not.
I said yes,
And she said that perhaps the psychiatrists saw what they knew only. Perhaps there is something more to it. Something psychological like high potential intelligent (a type of hypersensitive personality). And perfectionnism. And the moment you were not perfect your mood went down. (And yet, I'm unhealthily a perfectionnist). So she said I'm having acute anxiety with perfectionnism.

She said it might be borderline personality disorder.
The experiences she gave is that there were people she read about who were diagnosed bipolar for years but turned out to have borderline personality.
Another who was diagnosed as well and after talk therapy they discovered he was not...etc.
Ps: I didn't tell her I'm taking any meds so she was expressing herself freely.

She is asking me to rethink the diagnosis.

I think she is right.

But it was not what I expected.

I'm not ready to challenge everything I struggled to accept the past 09 months.
I am accepting I'm about to be depressed and I'm getting ready for that. But now... I'm not ready to get through that emotional wringer anymore.
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You were making great progress. I agree full heartedly with Pinkstarburst. Do not let people question your doctor. They are not professionals. Don't second-guess your diagnosis because of friends or family. They don't know your medical history like your doctor does and they're guessing. I really wish your family would encourage you instead of questioning you. I'm sure your sister meant well but please trust your doctor on this and I think you'll see that you will get better. Please. Don't let anyone discourage you. You know how you feel and you were happy before you were questioned so please go back to that and just trust your doctor to see you through this. Sometimes it takes adjusting with medications and everything before they get just the right thing so please trust this process and don't overthink what your sister said.
Friendlyperson · 26-30, F
@LadyGrace
Oh I'm just scrolling and didn't realize I didn't answer your message
Thank you so much LadyGrace, I went to both the psychologist and psychiatrist this week. Both of them insisted not to overthink what she said.
I'm trying.
I'm just taking my medication for now.
It is surreal, but I am trying my best.
Thank you for highlightening how far I have come, it put things into perspective.
First, unless your sister is a professional, I would not let her sway or diagnose you. No offense to her, but she is simply not qualified by reading about some people.

Next, I would encourage to not put a label on your brain. There are many meds and cocktails of them that “say” they are for one thing but have positive results for another.

The first time I dropped my basket, my father was absolutely opposed to me taking meds while my mother was anti-therapy. My doctor told them both to shut up and get over themselves because I needed both. And he was right.

I encourage you to find a good, honest therapist and also a good, honest psychiatrist. Listen to your body and do what needs to be done because it’s right for your wellness, not someone else’s.
Friendlyperson · 26-30, F
@Pinkstarburst I'm so proud of you.. 🥹❤
I'm just crossing my fingers and hoping the psychologist and psychiatrist are going to be useful to me. 🥹
@Pinkstarburst My thoughts exactly. 1000% right!
LordBarbossa · 36-40, T
Not a therapist, but from what I've heard and read the difference is:
Borderline: rapid changes in ones mood/emotions (often multiple times a day)
Bipolar: prolonged bursts of very high energy (manic episodes) and depression (not at the same time) with periods of feeling normal between. Those bursts can last anything from a few hours to multiple weeks.


Again, not a therapist. And neither is your sister I assume.
Your therapist is more than likely well versed with both types of disorder and knows how to distinguish them.
Friendlyperson · 26-30, F
@LordBarbossa
Thank you for sharing...
But now Im not even sure who confirms.. the therapist or psychiatrist?
LordBarbossa · 36-40, T
@Friendlyperson the person you're currently seeing for professional help.

I call all of them therapist. Sorry 🙈
You can be Bipolar and Borderline. Perfectionism can be OCD. It sounds like you're very early in diagnoses and treatment. A psychiatrist probably knows more about this than your sister. A good balance in figuring out the best treatment is getting a psychologist you feel comfortable with as well. The psychiatrist knows the brain chemistry and PhD knows the behaviors and treatment beyond medicinal. In most cases getting to a calmer state via medicine is necessary to start any meaningful treatment

Good luck!
Friendlyperson · 26-30, F
@JonLosAngeles66 I'll try doing my best with both. 🥹
Everything is really messing with my head now. It is so hard to live with. 🥹
PinkMoon · 26-30, F
I'm sorry this is the reaction your sister is having. I was really hoping she would understand 😔. If you're really questioning your diagnosis I suggest getting a second opinion from another psychiatrist. I've had 2 psychiatrists confirm my diagnosis.
Friendlyperson · 26-30, F
@PinkMoon I've had 04 to confirm the diagnosis.
I told the therapist of the story yesterday and she didn't disagree.
I think I should bring it up to her in my next appointment in 2 weeks.
Gibbon · 70-79, M
Don't let a diagnosis change and control you. 🫂
Friendlyperson · 26-30, F
@Gibbon Thank you 🥹
I will try my best not to be too affected. 🥹
Cigarguy · M
Unless your sister is a professional I wouldn't let her change your mind and anything.
Friendlyperson · 26-30, F
@Cigarguy It is hard... because her arguments made sense to me...
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Friendlyperson · 26-30, F
@SomeMichGuy She has a lot of experience with mental health issues, from herself and other people. But she is not a professional.
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Your sister is a professional psychiatrist?
Friendlyperson · 26-30, F
@TryingtoLava No she is not... 🥹 she reads and has her own share of mental health struggles.
Ferise1 · 46-50, M
Why do people want to get diagnosed?😂
Friendlyperson · 26-30, F
@Ferise1 what do you mean?

 
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