Getting tested for a mental disorder- Good idea or not?

sweetheart21 · 12-19-2006, 04:03 PM

I am thinking about going to a professional to be properly diagnosed with any mental disorders I may have.

I show signs of Social Anxiety Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline Personality, Depression, & I know that I definitely have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

I know I cant possibly have all of these things, if any… well maybe I could? I don’t know… but is it worth getting tested?

I am wondering if it will make me feel better knowing what I have… or if knowing will let me use it as an excuse for behaving badly. i.e if I was diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder then I might start feeling its ok to behave like that.

So my questions are:
-Is it helpful or not to get tested?
-Has anyone experienced what I described about using it as an excuse?
-Would it be best to see a psychologist, psychiatrist or someone else to have a test done?
-Is it a written test or do they just ask you questions?

HellFrost666 · 12-19-2006, 04:08 PM

I can't really give you answers for your questions. I have questions for you... How much do the symptoms you have affect your life, really? Because most people do suffer from some (if not a few) mental disorders. If having these symptoms is getting in the way of you living your life then you should seek professional help, and not worry so much about the diagnosis.

chigal28 · 12-19-2006, 05:10 PM

It sounds like you've already done some research and a bit of "self-diagnosis," which can sometimes be harmful, as you may truly come to believe you have X, Y or Z even though it's never been confirmed. How long have you thought you might be depressed, have borderline personality disorder, etc.? Why do you feel like it might be helpful to be diagnosed?

**melrich** · 12-19-2006, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

What trauma did you suffer?

CluelessGuy321 · 12-19-2006, 05:37 PM

Go get diagnosed by a good psych. Most people need mental help and don't seek it...

sweetheart21 · 12-20-2006, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HellFrost666

How much do the symptoms you have affect your life, really? Because most people do suffer from some (if not a few) mental disorders. If having these symptoms is getting in the way of you living your life then you should seek professional help, and not worry so much about the diagnosis.

The depression has effected me very badly. I think about suicide sometimes. My "shyness" or social anxiety (whatever it is) also makes my life VERY difficult. I have trouble just doing things like going to the grocery store some days. I will panic and get butterflies in my stomach thinking about being around so many people. It also effects me because I have trouble maintaining friends etc.

I have recently made a decision to make the effort to get better and not just give up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by melrich

What trauma did you suffer?

Alcoholic father/ physically abusive childhood growing up. I moved across the country from him 2 years ago but I still seem to have huge self esteem issues/ not feeling worthy of happiness.

A person I used to work said he thinks I have post traumatic stress. He is in the army and said that the way I act is exactly how some of his men who had come back from war acted... some of them even commited suicide. Thats why I think I might have it, but I dont know!!

Also I dont have the money to go to a proffessional. I though maybe I could save up to go to one session and get tested and then maybe I could research it on my own???
I would really appreciate some more advice on this..

Emotional · 12-20-2006, 02:53 AM

iF YOU BELIEVE AND SHOW SIGNS OF THESE "DISORDERS"
go for it, go see a phychiatrist who may be able to point it out to you and they diagnose on medicine...it may be long term htough...

my bestfriend is bi polar and has social anxiety also, shes on pills for the rest of her life, but it seems to make her a lot more outgoing and it makes her not to stressed out...

i think aknoleging that you have a problem is the first big step to recovery...

As far as being worried about obsessing or using the disorder as a "excuse"
isnt such a good idea...Why would you want people to know this kind of thing anyway?.....

I understand you have no money for this, im pretty sure insurance may cover a lot of the expenses...exspecially if you end up having one of these disorders, they'll have to cover some of it...

sweetheart21 · 12-20-2006, 05:25 AM

So how do you get diagnosed for this kind of thing?
Who do you see?
Do they give you a test or only chat to you?

Juliana · 12-20-2006, 10:06 PM

Basically, psychiatrists, at least in North America, medicate mental illness, whereas psychologists talk the person through it. Diagnosing a mental illness is pretty time-consuming; after about three visits, the doctor should be able to offer you some idea of what he thinks is wrong. Be very wary of someone who takes little or no time diagnosing you with something.

Which approach to take is dependent upon what's wrong with you, and how badly wrong it is. If you are Borderline, for example, right now the therapy of choice is Dialectic Behaviour Therapy, but waiting lists are long -- a year, in my area. If you have anxiety, medication might be absolutely necessary.

Getting diagnosed is helpful, once you get past the shock of having a label. A year or two of effective therapy can completely change your life. It is hard work, though, and you have to be prepared for it to basically take over your life for a couple of years.

Emotional · 12-21-2006, 12:55 AM

phychiatrist diagnose...they detect what you may have and they know all of the names for those medicines...lol
phycologist talks to you and believes that you dont need to be medicated...they more likley believe self healing...

I like Julianas response!!

12-19-2006, 04:03 PM	#1
sweetheart21 Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Australia, Perth Gender: Female Age: 24 Posts: 256	Getting tested for a mental disorder- Good idea or not? I am thinking about going to a professional to be properly diagnosed with any mental disorders I may have. I show signs of Social Anxiety Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline Personality, Depression, & I know that I definitely have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I know I cant possibly have all of these things, if any… well maybe I could? I don’t know… but is it worth getting tested? I am wondering if it will make me feel better knowing what I have… or if knowing will let me use it as an excuse for behaving badly. i.e if I was diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder then I might start feeling its ok to behave like that. So my questions are: -Is it helpful or not to get tested? -Has anyone experienced what I described about using it as an excuse? -Would it be best to see a psychologist, psychiatrist or someone else to have a test done? -Is it a written test or do they just ask you questions?

12-19-2006, 04:08 PM	#2
HellFrost666 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Marclar Gender: Male Age: 31 Posts: 1,528	I can't really give you answers for your questions. I have questions for you... How much do the symptoms you have affect your life, really? Because most people do suffer from some (if not a few) mental disorders. If having these symptoms is getting in the way of you living your life then you should seek professional help, and not worry so much about the diagnosis. __________________ I wish that it might come to pass Not fade like all my dreams Just think of what my life might be In a world like I have seen I dont think I can carry on Carry on this cold and empty life Oh...no! My spirits are low in the depths of despair My lifeblood spills over... Don't worry... the middle 6 is still silent.

12-19-2006, 05:10 PM	#3
chigal28 Offline Gold Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago Gender: Female Age: 32 Posts: 616	It sounds like you've already done some research and a bit of "self-diagnosis," which can sometimes be harmful, as you may truly come to believe you have X, Y or Z even though it's never been confirmed. How long have you thought you might be depressed, have borderline personality disorder, etc.? Why do you feel like it might be helpful to be diagnosed? __________________ You can't cast aspersions on someone just because they wear a cape. Superman wore a cape. --Seinfeld

12-20-2006, 02:53 AM	#7
Emotional Offline Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Age: 21 Posts: 743	iF YOU BELIEVE AND SHOW SIGNS OF THESE "DISORDERS" go for it, go see a phychiatrist who may be able to point it out to you and they diagnose on medicine...it may be long term htough... my bestfriend is bi polar and has social anxiety also, shes on pills for the rest of her life, but it seems to make her a lot more outgoing and it makes her not to stressed out... i think aknoleging that you have a problem is the first big step to recovery... As far as being worried about obsessing or using the disorder as a "excuse" isnt such a good idea...Why would you want people to know this kind of thing anyway?..... I understand you have no money for this, im pretty sure insurance may cover a lot of the expenses...exspecially if you end up having one of these disorders, they'll have to cover some of it... Last edited by Emotional; 12-20-2006 at 02:57 AM.

12-20-2006, 10:06 PM	#9
Juliana Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 984	Basically, psychiatrists, at least in North America, medicate mental illness, whereas psychologists talk the person through it. Diagnosing a mental illness is pretty time-consuming; after about three visits, the doctor should be able to offer you some idea of what he thinks is wrong. Be very wary of someone who takes little or no time diagnosing you with something. Which approach to take is dependent upon what's wrong with you, and how badly wrong it is. If you are Borderline, for example, right now the therapy of choice is Dialectic Behaviour Therapy, but waiting lists are long -- a year, in my area. If you have anxiety, medication might be absolutely necessary. Getting diagnosed is helpful, once you get past the shock of having a label. A year or two of effective therapy can completely change your life. It is hard work, though, and you have to be prepared for it to basically take over your life for a couple of years. __________________ "I cannot rest from travel, I will drink life to the lees." -- Tennyson

12-19-2006, 05:37 PM	#5
CluelessGuy321 Offline Silver Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 802	Go get diagnosed by a good psych. Most people need mental help and don't seek it...

12-20-2006, 05:25 AM	#8
sweetheart21 Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Australia, Perth Gender: Female Age: 24 Posts: 256	So how do you get diagnosed for this kind of thing? Who do you see? Do they give you a test or only chat to you?

12-21-2006, 12:55 AM	#10
Emotional Offline Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Age: 21 Posts: 743	phychiatrist diagnose...they detect what you may have and they know all of the names for those medicines...lol phycologist talks to you and believes that you dont need to be medicated...they more likley believe self healing... I like Julianas response!!