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    Real Life Struggles/Support/Vent

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved No Escape from Reality
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    • PavelP
      Pavel @Testament
      last edited by

      @Testament said in Real Life Struggles/Support/Vent:

      Suppose in my head it’s not a diagnosis to me until I’m literally told “You have X”. Which I guess is why I was slightly confused by being given the prescription to begin with.

      When it comes to mental health diagnoses, there’s a lot more ruling out than making definite statements. Various conditions have overlapping diagnostic criteria and symptoms, so some practitioners will treat based on a preliminary diagnosis while also continuing to seek further information before making a formal/official diagnosis.

      I wasn’t officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder until around a year and a half of being actively treated for it, for instance.

      He/Him. Opinions and views are solely my own unless specifically stated otherwise.
      BE AN ADULT

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      • T
        Testament @Pavel
        last edited by

        @Pavel said in Real Life Struggles/Support/Vent:

        @Testament said in Real Life Struggles/Support/Vent:

        Suppose in my head it’s not a diagnosis to me until I’m literally told “You have X”. Which I guess is why I was slightly confused by being given the prescription to begin with.

        When it comes to mental health diagnoses, there’s a lot more ruling out than making definite statements. Various conditions have overlapping diagnostic criteria and symptoms, so some practitioners will treat based on a preliminary diagnosis while also continuing to seek further information before making a formal/official diagnosis.

        I wasn’t officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder until around a year and a half of being actively treated for it, for instance.

        Alright, that makes more sense in that context. In this light, I suppose I have more questions I need to ask.

        I haven’t wanted to say that I was left confused by that last conversation, because I don’t like questioning professionals who genuinely seem to want to help. That or I’m gullible in this respect. As in, why seem to unwilling to say ADHD, but is more willing to discuss Predominantly Inattentive? The idea of one being received more as a stigma and other isn’t? That’s just a guess on my part.

        But I’ve also never really had a psychiatrist before until this last November, so I have nothing to base the experience on.

        I don't know what I'm doing. Poke at Seven Nations sevennations.aresmush.com port 2021

        PavelP 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • PavelP
          Pavel @Testament
          last edited by

          @Testament said in Real Life Struggles/Support/Vent:

          I haven’t wanted to say that I was left confused by that last conversation, because I don’t like questioning professionals who genuinely seem to want to help.

          I’m sure she does want to help, and if she does then she’d be more than happy to explain things to ease your confusion. That’s part of helping too. She is providing a service to you, for which you (or an insurance company, etc.) are paying. Part of that service is that you also have a clear understanding of what’s going on. Asking for clarity is an expected part of the exchange.

          @Testament said in Real Life Struggles/Support/Vent:

          As in, why seem to unwilling to say ADHD, but is more willing to discuss Predominantly Inattentive?

          I mean, that just doesn’t make sense. “Predominantly Inattentive” isn’t a thing without the ADHD bit. I think there’s some confusion there, from one or both of you. It seems very much like she’s avoiding making a final diagnosis so she’s avoiding terms that make it seem like she’s diagnosing… but yes, go seek more clarity.

          He/Him. Opinions and views are solely my own unless specifically stated otherwise.
          BE AN ADULT

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          • T
            Testament @Pavel
            last edited by

            @Pavel said in [Real Life Struggles/Support/Vent]

            I mean, that just doesn’t make sense. “Predominantly Inattentive” isn’t a thing without the ADHD bit. I think there’s some confusion there, from one or both of you. It seems very much like she’s avoiding making a final diagnosis so she’s avoiding terms that make it seem like she’s diagnosing… but yes, go seek more clarity.

            Honestly, it’s probably me. I’m either misremembering or just confused about something. I just remember nodding my head a lot, because I was thinking about what it all means for me. I don’t think it’s her. But again, I didn’t ask for clarification.

            But I would agree that she’s avoiding making a diagnosis, which I think is where a lot of this stems form. I was pinning a lot of my hopes on finally being given answers and…well. I didn’t get that answer, but left with more questions. Which I then proceeded to internalize because that’s generally my default setting is to internalize.

            I don't know what I'm doing. Poke at Seven Nations sevennations.aresmush.com port 2021

            PavelP 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • PavelP
              Pavel @Testament
              last edited by

              @Testament Unfortunately, confusion and not getting expected answers is part and parcel of dealing with mental health stuff. Without knowing the full layout of your particular situation I obviously can’t judge, but I’d definitely require a bunch of information gathering over a few sessions before I felt comfortable saying that someone 99.9999% has X, Y, or Z.

              He/Him. Opinions and views are solely my own unless specifically stated otherwise.
              BE AN ADULT

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
              • PavelP
                Pavel
                last edited by

                Also important to note: It’s not your fault that you’re confused. It’s fucking confusing for all of us (client/patient and practitioner alike) and I’ve got the DSM-V open on my desk right now. The brain’s weird, and when it goes wrong (by certain definitions…) it gets weirder.

                If you weren’t confused, it’d just mean you weren’t really paying attention.

                He/Him. Opinions and views are solely my own unless specifically stated otherwise.
                BE AN ADULT

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                • RinelR
                  Rinel @Testament
                  last edited by

                  @Testament said in Real Life Struggles/Support/Vent:

                  I don’t know if ADHD falls into some kind of spectrum or not.

                  It is part of an extremely broad category of executive dysfunction. I don’t want to say spectrum in particular, because that sort of indicates that things like ADHD are on one side and things like OCD on the other. Some people have both.

                  Ask me how I know. 🙁

                  Though our understanding of psychiatry is not really advanced enough for us to do much more than diagnose people based on syndromes–we can’t point exactly to where something is going on in the brain and say “ah, well, that’s why your executive function is wonky.”

                  bird's still the word

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • FaradayF
                    Faraday @Testament
                    last edited by

                    @Testament said in Real Life Struggles/Support/Vent:

                    I don’t know if ADHD falls into some kind of spectrum or not. She was willing to say that there was something to read into it. Or at least enough to prescribe me medication for it?

                    ADHD is not a “spectrum” per se, but it does have three distinct subtypes with subtly different presentations. How to ADHD has a good explainer on the differences (also a great channel overall for understanding ADHD and how to work with it). I’m not suggesting you try to diagnose yourself from it, but learning more about it may help give you vocabulary to understand what your provider is saying and ask the right questions.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 5
                    • juniperskyJ
                      junipersky Administrators
                      last edited by junipersky

                      I feel bad that I’m super grateful little foster child is in school today while I’m home on my spring break. (She is in a different district than I teach in.) But I am grateful. I needed a solid rest from the constant stimulation. I hope it helps me be better for her.

                      M PavelP 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 2
                      • M
                        mietze @junipersky
                        last edited by

                        @junipersky it’s important to have those breaks! i did therapeutic emergency placements/respite for awhile (and i’m sure the number of respite folks has not increased since the time that i did!) and just having a break can really be helpful, so i’m glad you have some time without having to tap in to that!

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                        • PavelP
                          Pavel @junipersky
                          last edited by

                          @junipersky said in Real Life Struggles/Support/Vent:

                          I feel bad that I’m super grateful little foster child is in school today while I’m home on my spring break.

                          All parents feel this. Most parents feel guilty about feeling this. But it’s absolutely normal. Parenting is work - rewarding, no doubt, but work nonetheless. And we all need breaks from work.

                          He/Him. Opinions and views are solely my own unless specifically stated otherwise.
                          BE AN ADULT

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                          • tenT
                            ten
                            last edited by

                            insurance approved TMS therapy. here goes nuthin.’

                            magnets

                            they | them

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                            • TributaryT
                              Tributary
                              last edited by

                              I am so exhausted I want to cry.

                              My spouse has insomnia regularly. And since paramedics shattered his shoulder 10 months ago, he is in constant sporadic pain. It is so so hard to sleep next to someone who keeps twitching and murmuring, especially when you know they’re taking comfort from your presence.

                              But I woke up an hour before my alarm and I have a headache already from the stress and I have to go to work and I’m so tired from his restlessness. I want a hug. 😞

                              DeviantD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 12
                              • DeviantD
                                Deviant @Tributary
                                last edited by

                                @Tributary

                                As someone who also sleeps next to someone with chronic insomnia, I feel for you. It’s so exhausting.

                                Not everyone likes me, but not everyone matters.

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                • SockMonkeyS
                                  SockMonkey
                                  last edited by

                                  County offices and everything takes so damn long on their end, but when they need something and you don’t jump through every hoop you are called uncooperative. Even when it’s hoops they have only told you about and not set up yet. Meanwhile watching your child wait on important help they need because of it.

                                  Words. Cannot. Express. My. Rage.

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                                  • juniperskyJ
                                    junipersky Administrators
                                    last edited by

                                    You don’t have a fever nor are you throwing up.
                                    Sorry sweetheart, OFF TO SCHOOL.

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                    • R
                                      RightMeow
                                      last edited by

                                      I know this is just a meh sort of thing and it effects everyone, but still. I’m tired. All the time. Like mentally and emotionally tired. I am really good at masking (which I suppose also makes me mentally and emotionally tired), but dang.

                                      I don’t know if this is older getting to me. I remember those people sitting around the table talking about being tired. Now I’m those people. Or if it’s depression. Or just you know how it is.

                                      It’s not ending my life, but it is killing my motivation to do anything.

                                      That’s it. I’m just tired.

                                      PavelP TwinkleT 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 5
                                      • PavelP
                                        Pavel @RightMeow
                                        last edited by

                                        @RightMeow said in Real Life Struggles/Support/Vent:

                                        That’s it. I’m just tired.

                                        The biggest thing impacting people, both (diagnosed) mentally ill and not, who see me professionally (am therapist, much counselling, wow) is just…

                                        vague gesture

                                        The world be the way it is, and it’s shit for a lot of us. You’re definitely not alone in feeling the way you do. I’ve got all these tools and all this training, and it still just sucks.

                                        He/Him. Opinions and views are solely my own unless specifically stated otherwise.
                                        BE AN ADULT

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                                        • TwinkleT
                                          Twinkle @RightMeow
                                          last edited by

                                          @RightMeow I have felt this the past two months, my motivation is gone lately and all I want to do is sleep. I keep putting one foot in front of the other, but sometimes I just don’t want to.

                                          I hope things look up for you, and motivation returns sooner rather than later.

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                          • tsarT
                                            tsar
                                            last edited by

                                            I do not enjoy my schedule forcing me to cram the RP in but such is life. 😠

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