Self Advocate: Get That Second (or Third) Opinion

Why You Need A Professional Opinion

We have so much information at our fingertips these days. I couldn't even begin to imagine, just how much of that information, is inaccurate or does not pertain to what could actually be the problem. This is why it is SO very important to seek professional help. I do not have a degree in psychology but, I do have many years of personal experience (as well as professional. I've been a Peer Support Specialist working with people who have SMIs, since 2013). There are many variables and overlapping symptoms that make it very easy to misdiagnose someone, even with education and knowledge.

According to the National Institute of Mental Illness, a good example of why you should never attempt to self diagnose is that the number of overlapping symptoms could really throw you off.

Some common Bipolar Disorder Symptoms are as follows:

• Mood: mood swings, sadness, elevated mood, anger, anxiety, apathy, apprehension, euphoria, general discontent, guilt, hopelessness, loss of interest, or loss of interest or pleasure in activities

• Behavioral: irritability, risk taking behaviors, disorganized behavior, aggression, agitation, crying, excess desire for sex, hyperactivity, impulsivity, restlessness, or self-harm

• Cognitive: unwanted thoughts, delusion, lack of concentration, racing thoughts, slowness in activity, or false belief of superiority

• Psychological: depression, manic episode, agitated depression, or paranoia

• Sleep: difficulty falling asleep or excess sleepiness

• Weight: weight gain or weight loss

Some common symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder:

• Efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment, such as rapidly initiating intimate (physical or emotional) relationships or cutting off communication with someone in anticipation of being abandoned

• A pattern of intense and unstable relationships with family, friends, and loved ones, often swinging from extreme closeness and love (idealization) to extreme dislike or anger (devaluation)

• Distorted and unstable self-image or sense of self

• Impulsive and often dangerous behaviors, such as spending sprees, unsafe sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, and binge eating. Please note: If these behaviors occur primarily during a period of elevated mood or energy, they may be signs of a mood disorder—not borderline personality disorder

• Self-harming behavior, such as cutting

• Recurring thoughts of suicidal behaviors or threats

• Intense and highly changeable moods, with each episode lasting from a few hours to a few days

• Chronic feelings of emptiness

• Inappropriate, intense anger or problems controlling anger

• Difficulty trusting, which is sometimes accompanied by irrational fear of other people’s intentions

• Feelings of dissociation, such as feeling cut off from oneself, seeing oneself from outside one’s body, or feelings of unreality

Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder. Borderline Personality Disorder is a personality disorder, just as it says in the name. As you can see for yourself, they have a lot of shared symptoms which makes them easily misdiagnosed, even by a professional. Unfortunately, there is no medication that effectively treats all the symptoms of a personality disorder and if you are misdiagnosed, and treated for Bipolar symptoms, it can easily exacerbate your illness. These are also shared symptoms of a lot of other illnesses and disorders as well, which is why you should always see a professional for proper diagnoses. If you are skeptical or feel dissatisfied with your diagnosis, don't be afraid to get a second opinion!

There is a Link Between Mental and Physical Health

Trus me on this one! You'd be surprised at the things that will make you physically ill! Read my other article about the Mind/Body Connection to understand more. And also, if you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, I've got an article about that too! I'll update this post with links soon!

Don't Lose Hope

Don't Let Yourself Get Bullied

Always remember, when you walk through that office door, the Doctor works for YOU. Don't ever let anyone make you feel like your feelings are NOT valid. They are very important. In my experience, some (not all) physicians can tend to lose their empathy after years of service. They forget that I'm a person. I have concerns and feelings. My feelings need to be validated and so do yours.. even if you think they might be irrational because you haven't been listened to thus far. If you don't feel like you're getting the help you need, talk to someone about getting a new doctor, second opinion, patient advocate, case manager or whatever you need. There are lots of facilities who will help you and some, free of charge. Help is out there, you just have to take it and not feel guilty. You deserve to feel good. In time, you will.

Need Help??

Please, if you ever need help and don't know where to start, contact me at [email protected] and I can help you find professional services, in your area.(I do NOT charge people to do this so don't let that stop you!)

Stay well!