Any advice re misdiagnosis? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

Picali · 08-04-2007, 01:29 PM

Hello to all,

I just wondered if any of you might have some thoughts on my situation? I was diagnosed with bi-polar II in the latter part of 2004. I was very depressed at the time and had experienced two bouts of depression before, once in 2000 and then again during the second half of 2001. During discussions, I thought that I had exhibited signs of hypomania prior to my depressive bouts, and the serious depression on 2003 (it lasted for 9 months) was punctuated by periods of high energy and bursts of creativity.

I was on medication for a year - lithium and a number of anti-depressants until they found something that worked. I came off the meds in 2005 and have been off now for just over two years without any problems or recurrences of mood difficulties, other than general stresses and strains of daily life.

I'm wondering if it is possible to be med-free and symptom free, particularly as the problems didn't start until I was twenty-seven? It's been seven years since the first bout and there have only been the two other bouts in that time. Most people I know with psychiatric problems have to either take the medication or suffer from relapses, usually around stressful events or major changes. Due to the fact that I've not had these problems, is it possible that I was mis-diagnosed? I personally feel that the problems I had related more to childhood issues that have at least been brought out into the open, if not resolved completely. I'd appreciate any thoughts on this.

Many thanks.

greenidme · 08-04-2007, 07:34 PM

If your symptoms return- don't hesitate to contact your pdoc.
Does he/she know you are off meds? Do you see them anymore? Do you see a therapist for your childhood issues?
I'm no professional, but I do know if I go off my meds I have a relapse of symptoms that is very profound- suicidal depression in my case. So, it's nothing to play with. Hope this helps?

tsohl · 08-04-2007, 08:52 PM

Hello,

It is always possible that a psychiatrist can make a mistake and misdiagnose. After all, there isn't a test that can be given to determine if there is mental illness present or not. Actually, that isn't quite true. You could go to one of a couple places that offer spectral imaging--these will show changes in the brain and you can see differences in the brains of unmedicated bipolars, those that are medicated and the control group ("normal" brain). This procedure is not widely used yet but it seems to be the way of the future.

It is not all that unusual to be diagnosed later in life. Statistically people wait an average of 8 years to seek treatment after noticing symtoms. Perhaps you were misdiagnosed, or perhaps you have just been extremely lucky and you haven't had a reccurence. That would be unusual but not impossible! Hope your good luck continues!!

Tsohl

Picali · 08-05-2007, 08:48 AM

Hi,

Thanks for your replies. Green, I've had masses of therapy and I think that's the reason I feel it was 'past trauma' related - I feel so very different to the way I used to (and have done for a long time). Also, when I get stressed now I get very physical symptoms - headaches, upset stomachs and so on - I used to get 'hypomanic' or depressed.

Ts, thanks for the info - that brain imaging stuff sounds really interesting. I guess the best thing to do is just see how things go.

Thanks for your help

tsohl · 08-06-2007, 10:00 PM

Look for the work of Dr. Daniel Amen. There is an atlas of brain imaging that sounds very interesting.