Diagnosis not helpful - any ideas?

@Former-Member. I'm one of those people who appreciate having a diagnosis - so I can research and find out what help is available for me.
I have been diagnosed depression and anxiety (adjustment disorder) & PTSD.
I've been able to use the information I have gathered on these, to work towards better health and learning how to reduce 'crashing' in mood again.
However, I recently got my latest WorkCover Psych review. In which a Psychiatrist who had never met me before & who I spoke to for only an hr- diagnosed me with Bipolar II& "strongly recommend" that I go on a mood stabiliser starting with L - for life.
What the!!! I do not have hypermanic episodes. I do have depression though.
So no, I won't accept this diagnosis as it is so far removed from my reality and my mental health history.
So - do you believe that the diagnosis is correct or not? Or is it purely seeing it written down. Seeing it for the first time?
Does the diagnosis change how you feel about your mental health?
Or do you not want this or any diagnosis to be recorded on your medical file and centrelink file?

The salient point @Former-Member is that no label/diagnosis changes you - the person. You are still the same person you were before being labeled and you will remain so.

Take care 🎶 💕

Thank you both for replying @utopia and @Kurra

I have to go out for the day and hand in that paperwork but I'll have a think about those questions utopia because I think they're important ones for me to start to uncover why this feels so bad.

Hope you both have a good day

I'm glad I was able to help @Former-Member. Keep posting. You raised an important topic.
Enjoy your day.

I went to my appointment it and it was hard 😞 The workers were really understanfing though and I appreciated that.

I guess one of the hardest parts for me is the idea that what's 'wrong' with me is MI when i feel that what's wrong is what has happened to me. I accept that I'm struggling but I don't feel like being put in a box really helps me, other than by allowing me access to things like a medical certificate. I found it very confronting reading over the letter and very hard to read the certificate, especially the part about prognosis being 'likely to persist'. After having those words given out, I did some research and started to feel really hopeless. I began questioning what the point is in trying and got myself into a really ugly place. Recovery seems so hard and when I thought I had already "recovered", I'm very down thinking about where I am now.

I'm rambling but it helps to be able to put it down.

@utopia - I can empathise with your experience with the psychiatrist and a while ago I found myself in a similar situation (with being recommended the same med for a condition I do not have). I'm glad you were able to see that you did not fit that diagnosis and that you've been able to find what's helpful for you.

@Former-Member. That is hard hearing 'likely to persist'. I understand that. There are many things that would challenge that statement though.
* based on your 'progress' so far
* medication compliance (if applicable)
* duration and onset on MI
* your acceptance of this diagnosis
* your future efforts with therapy
* the therapists attitude to that MI
* the therapists ability to 'treat' that MI
* reducing stress and triggers
Unfortunately, not all MI's can be 'cured'. The majority though can be managed and symptoms and episodes reduced in severity and occurance.
My own personal experience - I had the best treatment quickly after my PTSD onset. I say I'm 'cured'. No more PTSD issues around my workplace incident. But I must recognise that I am at a higher risk of suffering PTSD again in the future.
My depression is under control and I've been feeling fantastic the past few months. A recent setback and slide back into depression - although of a shorter duration - it still occurred. So I need to be mindful of keeping up my tools on good living and good mental health.
I only had two panic attacks in 2016 - compared to multiple attacks weekly, prior to that.
I am niw able to go and find a new job. I'm in a place where I can and have joined new groups - am into new interests & living a pretty content life.
So diagnosis can help give an idea of your condition and new treatments/therapies for that MI & ways to keep yourself safe.
Ultimately though - you will know how you are going based on your emotions, ability to live your life well. Use a diagnosis as a tool only. Not as the be all & end all.

Thanks @utopia for such a helpful response. There are a lot of things to ponder. In terms of diagnosis I agree these fit best so that's a start. I have an appt with my psychologist tomorrow so hopefully I get an opportunity to talk some of it through a bit.

Cheers again

@Former-Member. I hope you are able to discuss with your psychologist everything that has come up since reading your diagnosis.
As my psychologist reminded me - yes I am at increased risk of further depressive episodes and a new PTSD. But I have the tools to stop them in their tracks and prevent a full blown set back.
♥♥♥

@Former-Member - thank you for writing that... I was starting to look for more being wrong with me than there was...
Yes, I did that when I got the bogus Workcover diagnosis. I started to doubt even the good things I do and enjoy. Luckily you guys on the forum and my psychologist set me straight.
What you said - it just hit me - that that is what I did. And that is so detrimental to my recovery and health.
Thanks again.