Pick a Diagnosis

Pick A Diagnosis

Diagnosing a Mental Illness

I was put on an antidepressant right after my first child. I don't remember getting a diagnosis. Ten years later, l was diagnosed with depression by my GP. Seven years after that, 2011 l think, I had a major spiral of depression and addiction. I was given a new diagnosis: Bipolar. This diagnosis never felt right, but that is what the doctor said. It wasn't until I got my addiction under control that I figured out I wasn't Bipolar.  So I was back to Clinical Depression. This was not a perfect fit, but that is all I had.  Three years after the spiral, I am still struggling. I am getting better, but I'm not cured yet.  I have done a lot of reading, and I came across an article about Major Depressive Disorder. I am going to do more research, but this seems to fit. 

Now for the intended post:

My point from the above rant, was that diagnosing a mental illness is challenging.  There is not perfect box of symptoms that fit everyone. My depression is unique from your depression.  There are many different types of Mental Illness and everyone has different symptoms.  In my experience, If you have any kind of depression, you are put on antidepressants. while I do agree, antidepressants are usually necessary, they aren't a complete cure.

The area I live in does not have access to good mental health tools. Maybe in other areas, there are better resources. For me, I have been left to research and teach myself about my depression. It has been good for me. I have learned a lot about myself and about my depression. It is not about a diagnosis. It is about the whole person.

It is a disease of the mind. Medication helps, but I started getting better when I began researching "me" more than just  a diagnosis.  

Regressing

Regressing

Sorry I haven't written in a while, but like I said this is an ongoing journey and I'm nowhere near the end,  I Thought I was doing good and then "Wham" Back in bed I was for over a week.  That's the thing I can't understand with depression.  You can be feeling great for a while and then all of a sudden, for no reason, your spiraling down out of control. 


I am having a hard time right now trying to just understand why I just can't be fixed.  Why can't I just say to myself  " You are getting out of bed, stop this shit, and get on with your life?"  Why can't it just be that easy?  Why can't I have control of my own brain?

Do you know that the only way you can get into the great mental health programs like Dr. Phil is always talking about is to fork up around  $70,000.00?  He doesn't bother bringing up that little point on his show.   I emailed him about this little oversight, but I haven't heard back yet. :)  (not holding my breath).

You always hear "Money isn't everything", but you know what, that is kind of a lie.  To receive great health care, especially mental health care, you have to have money.  So what I take from that is if I want to have a normal life and be a normal mother, I'm going to have to rob a bank.  (just kidding!).

Well I am going to stop griping and feeling sorry for myself today.  I will post again soon