Originally posted by dontreallyI would DEFINITELY recommend you see a psychiatrist. Don't ask to be recommended. Ask your family doctor for a psychiatrist, she'll give you some names, and go see one.

These idiots don't realize how serious these drugs can be. If you need it, fine, let a psychiatrist help you. Anyone but a trained psychiatrist will blunder in treating you.

Seeing a psychiatrist from a list offered is ABSOLUTELY NO GUARANTEE OF QUALITY CARE

WHATSOEVER.

I don't know which is more dangerous--a list of psychiatrists or a list of psychologists.

In my experience I'd have to say--MOST OFTEN--a list of psychiatrists. I've known of relatively few who were NOT money-grubbing pill pushers with a calloused insensitivity to their patients' humanity.

Too often traditional psychologists are not greatly better except that they don't push pills.

I'd certainly advocate seeing a quality psychiatrist--but finding one could take some tenacity and persistent searching until they found one that matched her personality and was responsible and caring and would see her for more than 10 min a week or a month.

Listen. I you really feel you don't have bi-polar, don't take the meds or at least get a second opinion.

That list would seem to fit most people our age. I am also 24, female.

I recently started seeing a Clinical Psychologist. Reason: I felt like I was near breaking point and was afraid I would lash out at my family. This is all due to the drug use of family members and the lies just drive me insane. I don't want these people in my life, but am forced to live and deal with them and be polite.

I mentioned to him that I have gone through some serious bouts of depression in the past (but considering the things I have been through I would consider it 'understandable') and he immediately told me " Okay, I'm thinking Bi-Polar Disorder". I said- " No way, I am definitely NOT bi-polar! "

He Pre- Diagnosed me with GAD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, after which I had to take a Psychometric Test/IQ Test, and scored an IQ level of 125. He said that I lost 11 points on the test due to "Shaking and Sweating". He said my score will increase when my GAD is under control. Maybe I could increase it to 135, who knows?

My point is, within the test- some scores correspond to certain disorders. Mine corresponded with GAD, so I now have an Official diagnosis, which is spot on by the way..

They are very quick to jump the gun. Go see different Psychologists, stay away from the Psychiatrists, all they want to do is prescribe you meds.

In my opinion, one should only think of taking meds if it is indeed a chemical imbalance, and cannot be corrected with diet.

As far as my GAD is concerned, he had mentioned medication, but only if treatment ceases to be effective. Treatment meaning- Self expression, art, relaxation exercises, etc. I do know that meds won't make me better. They won't fix me. It's some mental pattern, some unknown fear of something that I need to work through.

Think about it. Don't just shove chemicals down your throat because someone said so.

All the best!

i also have addiction problems & got the same diagnosis for bipolar disorder. my doc put me on seroquel but i was also self-medicating at the same time. i took meds for almost a year & then decided to just stop taking everything. i've had hardly any problems at all after stopping all the medicines i was taking (it's been about 2 years since i quit). i feel like the seroquel helped me remember how to cope with things but it also made me feel like a zombie all the time & made me gain weight (that dropped off right after quitting). the other stuff i was self-medicating with prior to & during my seroquel treatment was probably causing the majority of my problems to begin with because without it i no longer have mood swings. being completely med free really seems to be the thing that helped me most regardless of what i was diagnosed with.

Originally posted by Tripple_Helix
It's some mental pattern, some unknown fear of something that I need to work through.

This is exactly what I think I've got going on. I don't even know if I really thought that through until I read your statement. It hit me really hard.

Thank you for your kind words and this powerful sentence.

hi,first post here on ats...i was diagnosed as bipolar grade 2 four years ago after 7 years of trying to get help,and miss diagnosis.i was referred numerous times by gp(doctor) and saw numerous specialists.eventuly it was diagnosed and am now on a dual therapy medication,anti depressents and anti physcotics.its important that you seek a second opinion from a specialist but also monitor your reaction to the meds.anyone on here is irrisponsible to make suggestions about cutting out meds,etc.it is important that you at least give them 4 weeks to 'kick in' and inform your gp and let them supervise all changes to medication.accept it as part of your personality and learn to embrace it,rather than the enemy.many suffer's have very good talents,take the time to explore these,but above all educate yourself about it,and understand.i wish you well

If your bi-polar, you will know. Lamotrigine is one of the better drugs for treating bi-polar. Better than Depakote, Seroquel, or Lithium. You don't gain weight. You don't get a foggy, zoned out feeling. I find it works. If you know something is up with your moods/anger/depression cycling frequently or in a seasonal pattern, then that's a good clue you are experiencing bi-polar symptoms. It is not an "un-manageable" disorder. It can be very difficult and frustrating at times, causing you to use drugs/alcohol to balance the highs/lows. I quit everything except medical marijuana. Drinking is not good if taking meds! Stay strong, and don't let yourself think your "crazy" or "handicapped" there is a bad social stigma about being bi-polar, but the reality is you can live a successful life while being able to manage the episodes. It takes a lifelong commitment, and isn't something a pill can cure. Don't let people label you as "crazy" or "She's bipolar" the minute you start thinking it you start believing it. Stay strong, hope this info can benefit you.