Is it possible that someone experiencing extreme stress could be misdiagnosed with a serious mental illness?

I am an RN..while I am not going to offer medical advice based on this q alone I think Ambivalent has given you the BA so far..you need a second opinion very much and soon.

Being an RN has not made me any less likely to run into health care delivery debacles, either.

I do not care to go into my own details other than to say if I had not trusted my gut instincts and what I had learned both as a nurse and through my own research, more than once either myself or a family member would have received medications or treatments that would have been VERY harmful to us as later confirmed through testing or another physician and a proper diagnosis and course of treatement.

If your instincts are telling you that you have been misdiagnosed, then get a second or third opinion if necessary.

You sound like me,I have so many problems and things are always happening to me.Yes with all the stress you have been under for so long it is possible that you were misdiagnosed with a serious mental illness.When we are under a great deal of stress for so long sometimes we start having symptoms that a mentally ill person would have when actually it is just all the stress causing those symptoms.I don't believe that you have bi-polar because my brother had it and I have a grandson that has it,I have also known other people with bi polar and they had very few of the symptoms that you have.I think if at all possible you need to get another opinion.Have you ever been tested for lupus or lyme disease?If not mention this to your doctor so they can do tests to rule those out.For the joint pain take 1,500 mg of calcium with vitamin D a day and see if that helps.I have severe joint pain and it really helps me,if I start slacking off my pain comes back.If you are in menopause you will get night sweats bad,I would get up at least 2 times a night and change gowns and sometimes sheets.Hormonal inbalance can cause you a lot of problems.You need to tell your rummy that you want some kind of pain meds and don't back down,stand your ground.I am allergic to all pain meds and can't even take anything after surgeries because my system is so reactive and I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I do.I'm sorry this is so long.God Bless You,you will be in my prayers.

I would not doubt that it is possible. I personally believe that I was misdiagnosed with depression some years ago. I had only a single 15 minute appointment with my doctor before being prescribed antidepressants which ultimately did nothing to help (I am now no longer on any medication at all...).

So, while my example isn't as serious as yours, in some ways the situation seems similar.

Your diagnosis looks to have been rather hasty... I mean, I'm not a doctor of course, and I don't know the criteria for diagnosis of bipolar disorder, but it doesn't seem to me like an hour is enough for a formal diagnosis... It's good that you're seeking a second opinion--with anything where you're potentially going to be on medication for a long time, a second opinion seems like a wise precaution.

In any case, as the first answerer said, you're obviously going through enough to cause immense stress to anyone, and I think that in the circumstances, a misdiagnosis would probably be quite easy to make.

I'm sorry I can't really be of any help--I don't know anything much about this subject, but my thoughts are with you, and I wish you all the best with finding all the help you need to get through this.

(((RedQueen)))

A big resounding YES! I do feel for you darlin'. I think most of these so called "psych" docs are just pill pushers anymore.

Psych doctors are so used to people coming to them for any reason to get psych drugs, proof of disability, or a drug that will make all their problems go away because they can't handle it on their own or were never taught how. The "persecution" complex, "It isn't my fault I feel this way it is the worlds fault and take a pill and make it all go away". I'm not saying this is you by any means. You have a legitimate problem and this quack you saw was just there for the money. If you have too get a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th opinion. Find an alternative medicine doctor to help you through the physical pains. It will also help with the mental stress that it is causing as well. I hope that you find great success in finding a real doctor of psychiatry that is willing to work with you and help you to the best of their ability.

Blessings

I am where you are.

Constant pain can and does cause depression, so do some of the medicines taken for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Losing the ability to do the things you once loved can cause devastating sadness.

It is such a small world. You have so many of the same ailments that I am battling.

I wish that I could help you with what I have overcome and that you could help me with what I haven't.

Please don't look at a "breakdown" as something to be ashamed of. We are only human and can only bear so much before we break.

You may remember that in my reply to your original question, when you'd been given the bipolar diagnosis, I did express my dislike of psychiatric labels and questioned their validity and usefulness. What you are saying now is just part of the many reasons I have for objecting to the culture of psychiatry which seems to feel that finding a label is of any value. The only value it seems to have, in reality, is in determining which pharmaceutical company is going to get richer.

The stress level you describe is enough to make anyone feel quite out of kilter with themselves. Of COURSE there is a likelihood that the diagnosis is grossly inaccurate - and what would it mean, anyway? Even people who are true bipolars are utterly individual and need an individualised approach to their issues, not a series of three types of medication one of which might dull them enough without totally knocking them out.... Don't get me wrong, for people who genuinely suffer from true bipolar disorder, lithium or the more modern drugs can transform their lives for the better. But there is a very suspect fashion for labelling people as bipolar simply as a way of saying they have rapidly changing and extreme moods. There are entirely individual (psychological/emotional) reasons for these, most of the time.

So yes, one might well expect you to suffer anxiety, depression, etc. And the best thing you can possibly do is to work with a psychotherapist/counsellor - as you are doing - to address all those things that are making life difficult for the individual you in your own individual circumstance.

I'm a bit concerned about a prescription for anti-convulsants on top of the very strong medication you're already taken, and I am unclear about the logic of it. Definitely, definitely, get a second opinion.

I am truly concerned and sorry that you have so much on your plate. But rather than more heavy medication, I would strongly suggest you get what exercise you can (I recognise the difficulty given the RA etc, but anything that will raise your breathing and pulse rates will help hugely in metabolising the stress hormones); try to eat well with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, not too much meat, and avoid stuff with additives as far as possible. Don't drink much coffee or alcohol. You'll know your own sensitivities around these things, I'm sure, so there's no 'off-the-peg' version of how much is OK - some people can drink a couple of cups of strong coffee and a couple of glasses of wine a day without ill-effect on anxiety and depression, while for others ANY caffeine or alcohol make things worse. Listen to your body - as I am certain you are adept at doing after all you've been dealing with.

Thinking of you, and if your e-mail is working at the moment, please feel free to e-mail me.

absolutely red! It is and has been very possible. mental illness has been socially spread further than it actually is. Only those with handicapping illnesses actually are considered mentally ill. Mental issues such as schizophrenia, psychosis, sociopaths are truly mentally ill.

Depression has a bad rap for being tossed into that category and so do personality disorders which can be relearned and fixed.

Stress can cause a psychotic break though. But, that would be you have lost total grip with reality and are possibly seeing and hearing things which often accompanies that break.

I doubt you are mentally ill hon. From all I've read coming from you, you may do well with some therapy to deal with stress, and learn new coping skills with cognitive behavioral therapy, but I wouldn't suggest medicines unless you are severe.

good luck and blessings! ((((red))))

You could have been misdiagnosed. Contrary to what many believe Psychology is not an exact science. If it were me in your situation. I'd get a second opinion. Seems to me ( and this is just an observation ) Bipolar disorder is the "popular" psychological disorder. A few years ago it was ADHD,or ADD. Before that it was PTSD,and so on. It almost seems like the Psychiatric community comes up with a "flavor of the month" at times.

You are absolutely fine. Anyone would be the same way. I have been through so much too so I can help you. Do you have a local library & a DVD player. If so go to your local library site & see if they have the book and or DVD You Can Heal Your Life By Louise Hay.....watch the DVD to understand how you in this moment are creating your life & never again mention that diagnosis. You are as healthy as anyone....The book is also great but different. I have healed so much & helped so many people in my life through this work but you have to be open to accept this good.....I am having financial problems & a man told me today he will help me for free. I don't even know him so I understand it is hard to accept help but you have nothing to lose to go get this DVD. You have everything to gain. Let me know how your healing is progressing. You will heal & pass it on.

Amy, my dear sweet friend...You & I both know you are NOT bi-polar...

but you do have depression...and it can harm every aspect of your life...

I have "Clinical Depression" and some days I find it impossible to even get out of bed....it sneaks up on you when you are at the point where something stressful happens....and I take med's for it...

YOU have alot on your plate right now...and do not know what is gonna happen in your life...why would this NOT be a "stressful" time for you?!?!

I don't understand why your NOT taking anything for pain....that could also be part of your problem...I went for years saying I didn't need anything...I was wrong!!!!

Please go somewhere else to get help...

I wish I could give you a hug, but all I can do is say I am here for you...