Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

[NikNik]

People can experience a range of emotions when receiving a diagnosis of a mental illness. This month we would like to have a community conversation facilitated by @Shimmer and @CherryBomb about your experiences of diagnosis.

We want to hear your thoughts on the benefits and challenges of receiving a diagnosis, how you can connect with or disclose to others, how it may affect your identity and any advice you might give to someone receiving a diagnosis.

Join us on Tuesday 19th July at 7pm AEST to be part of the conversation! 

Five things you can do now:

1) Become a member of the Forums to participate in Topic Tuesday

2) Hit the 'Like' button below to receive an email notification on the night

3) Read more about this topic 

4) Can't make the session? Leave your question below to be answered during Topic Tuesday

5) Watch Mick's story about his diagnosis and his understanding of his signs and symptoms

[Bimby2]

My question is can a diagnosis be changed over time, say from uinpolar to major affective disorder? One

doctor may say one thing. another differently. Bimby2   

[Decadian]

Interesting question

I am not impressed by labels - after all - we all get something phyiscally wrong with us - a broken leg heals - a lost leg stays lost

So - using this - we may have some kind of disorder in our mind or emotions - and do they last forever?

Some - yes - others - no

I have been dxd as being "emotioally fragile" and for me - that fits - I like the label - it gives me the chance to be brief when talking to someone - and I have reactive despression also - which is so much less - but it still comes around to bite - and PTSD - yep - that will bite too

Will we always have the same diagnosis? - I guess we will - but it may become a past fact rather than currently horrible.

Decadian

[jb]

What you see- is what you get- and then what you tell others- what you see - is up for an interpretation of what they see- from what you see - so thats two people- potentially seeing- whats not supposed to be seen like that, in the first place-  then feeding into and off of each other- and that premise- with a story to tell- and sell- to others- i dont believe in finding sick and defining oneslef with it- to me thats defeatest- and what youve chosen to see- and be- and who knows i might be wrong- but i might be right too- and if youve never looked elsewhere- how can you even know- if you havent tried not sick- non defeatist care- recovery care- and had someone treat you on the same page- in that way- how can you or they or anyone know. Not possible-- trying management by an organistaion that only offers management - when their's recovery and healing without them- not with them- is what blows me out, saddens me incredibly.

[Mazarita]

Hi @Bimby2,

Yes, diagnosis can change from one doctor to another. For example, I was treated for anxiety and depression alone from 1990-2008. Then I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The latter diagnosis actually helped me a great deal as it meant accessing much more effective medications for my condition. It also fitted a lot better with the experiences I had over my life and that I continue to live with. So, diagnoses are not always 'set in concrete' and it's also possible that some doctors may not 'get it right'. These are hard conditions to diagnose really.

May I ask your reason for the question? 

Wishing you well.

[Bimby2]

My reason for asking is that I was once diagnosed  for unipolar condition but another medical specialist

diagnosed me with major affective depression and i was taken off one medication that I had bad side

effects from and put onto a more suitable antidepressant. Sometimes a wrong decision can be made that

can have doubtful outcomes. Most medicos have made wrong psychiatric diagnoses so it pays to get a

second or even third opinion. It's my health and life saving diagnoses need to be as accurate as techniq-

uely possible. Bimby2 

[CherryBomb]

Hi Everyone and welcome this month's Topic Tuesday,

Tonight, @Shimmer and I, and anyone else who wants to join will be talking about what use a diagnosis is.

A shout to those that RSVPd - @Samiam @kyliej @Former-Member @BlueBay @Former-Member @Former-Member @mrkotter @Former-Member @Shaz51 @Mazarita @1stepup61 and thanks to @jb for your post, which highlights some of the struggles with having a diagnosis. 

[Shaz51]

Hello @CherryBomb and @Shimmer

[Shimmer]

Welcome everyone! 

Tonight we are really interested to hear your thoughts about receiving a diagnosis - I'm sure people have had a wide range of experiences!

[CherryBomb]

Hi @Shaz51! Nice to see you! 

@Shimmer and @Shaz51 recieving a diagnosis for the first time can be pretty overwhelming. I wonder if you two, or anyone else reading this, might want to share what it was like they got a diagnosis?