today i was diagnosed
Submitted by nobodyslooking on Thu, 09/23/2010 - 10:01pmToday I went to a psychiatrist for the first time. I have been in talk therapy for almost a year, but this was my first time seeing a psychiatrist. It was my therapists idea. She wanted me to get tested for ADD. I walked out with a diagnosis of being ADHD, but the Doctor said she was more concerned that she believes I have BiPolar II. She wanted to start me on Lithium, but I am very apprehensive about taking something that intense.
I just wanted to introduce myself and I am hoping to use this journal as a way to anonymously document my thoughts & experiences. So...Hello.
for NobodysLooking: Lithium is All Right
Hi Neighbor.
My conclusion is this: nothing wrong with lithium; it's just a salt, a naturally occuring mineral.
Other medicines I have been given have had fancy chemicals with weird side effects, but lithium is cool. You can even open one and taste it if you like. That won't hurt you. If you put it in water it tastes soapy.
For a long while I had trouble taking it because
1) I sometimes had my doubts about Western medical diagnosis and
2) my routine was sometimes chaotic so I often missed doses. Now I have a boyfriend who is good company, so I eat (and take the medicines) more regularly.
Now I figure that even though I'm convinced it's the GLUTEN-FREE diet that has rescued me from the chronic pain, confusion, and stress, I'm just gonna keep taking the Lithium until I REALLY get my sh*t together-- it won't hurt.
Your friend, R. Keep in touch!
for NobodysLooking: Lithium is All Right
Hi Neighbor.
My conclusion is this: nothing wrong with lithium; it's just a salt, a naturally occuring mineral.
Other medicines I have been given have had fancy chemicals with weird side effects, but lithium is cool. You can even open one and taste it if you like. That won't hurt you. If you put it in water it tastes soapy.
For a long while I had trouble taking it because
1) I sometimes had my doubts about Western medical diagnosis and
2) my routine was sometimes chaotic so I often missed doses. Now I have a boyfriend who is good company, so I eat (and take the medicines) more regularly.
Now I figure that even though I'm convinced it's the GLUTEN-FREE diet that has rescued me from the chronic pain, confusion, and stress, I'm just gonna keep taking the Lithium until I REALLY get my sh*t together-- it won't hurt.
Your friend, R. Keep in touch!
similar doubts
Hi there!
I’ve been treated for depression since I can remember (almost 10 years now), but recently, because I’ve been through a tough break up, I’ve decided to see a psychiatrist again. He was almost mad because of the obvious misdiagnose, and the insistence of a clearly not efficient drug for me, for I am in fact bipolar type II.
I’m not sure what I should do now… I’ve stopped taking Zoloft®, and was suggested lithium instead, but now that I feel like I finally found out why I’m like this – and I’ve been reading a lot about it – I’m afraid of losing this peculiarity… I mean, I’ve always been known as brave, pioneer, enthusiastic and adventurer, and also sensitive and ‘deep’. However, I know that sometimes I get out of control, that I hurt myself unnecessarily and make stupid inconsequent mistakes.
I think I’ll wait, seek support from friends and family, ask people close to me to give me some perspective about what the ‘normal’ reaction should be (really, I’ve done that, and I’m aware of how crazy I sounded), to avoid overreacting. I don’t know if it will work, but at least I think now I’m on the right track.
Wish I helped…
Lila