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Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

NikNikSenior Contributor05 July 2016, 4:28 pm AEST

Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

People can experience a range of emotions when receiving a diagnosis of a mental illness. This month we would like to have a community conversation facilitated by @Shimmer and @CherryBomb about your experiences of diagnosis.

We want to hear your thoughts on the benefits and challenges of receiving a diagnosis, how you can connect with or disclose to others, how it may affect your identity and any advice you might give to someone receiving a diagnosis.

Join us on Tuesday 19th July at 7pm AEST to be part of the conversation!

Five things you can do now:

1) Become a member of the Forums to participate in Topic Tuesday

2) Hit the 'Like' button below to receive an email notification on the night

3) Read more about this topic

4) Can't make the session? Leave your question below to be answered during Topic Tuesday

5) Watch Mick's story about his diagnosis and his understanding of his signs and symptoms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIRnn_8dXKM

99 replies

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In response to: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

ButtertflyCasual Contributor19 July 2016, 7:47 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

I have had so many things happen in my life that the combination of those life events lead me to not being able to cope any more. Recently diagnosed with PTSD & Major depression it lessened the feeling of guilt for not doing what I normally do; carry everyone around me & just deal with it. But diagnosis is a two edged sword as I feel more shame & stigma now, it feels like I'm never going to be given the opportunity to go back to just being me... now I have a label. I'm struggling with the pressure of showing up to appts with my mental health team, I don't want to be there, I don't want to have depression! I liked my head in the sand approach because it was safe but it was & is seriously damaging.

I work in the health environment so I am very aware of what "people" really think of Mental Health issues & as much as forums like this make it more know there is still that "Toughen up & get over it' attitude; I see & hear it everyday. So I have been resisting with my heart & soul this diagnosis, I am not sure whether giving this "darkness" a name has helped me at all... I feel more alone, broken beyond repair & have been put on a "suicide prevention" call service the last few weeks because I now have a "plan" & see no light at the end of the tunnel.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

CherryBombSenior Contributor19 July 2016, 7:47 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

@Samiam wrote:

I am very passionate about supporting people as people and not their diagnosis.

@Samiam this is such an important point! In the end, people are people, not their diagnosis!

Even if you do have a diagnosis, no one diagnosis is the same. One person who has depression, can have a very different symptoms, and respond very differently to different treatments. Thanks for reminding us of this.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

jbCasual Contributor19 July 2016, 7:48 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

thanks for your response- what im saying is its defeatist to start with- and its sick, in a healthy thinking behaving world, where sick gets a back seat- it's only in a sick misery world -sick gets to sit in the front- start with OK- every-things going to be OK- even if your pretending- doesn't matter- practice makes perfect-I was brought up to smile regardless - or I got a clip over the ear- so I cant miserise- its not in my make up- if someone calls me any sick- or misery name-it makes me sick- because it is sick - in my mind- and heart- so anyone calling me anything derogatory- is just being nasty- its what I was taught- its instilled in me- and in many people-and if you tell them that- they don't go- oh really- or- ill have a good look at "myself"- or gee you could be right- like a normal not guilty human being- how they respond is -they call you more names- un- insightful or anasognostic- in a nasty dishonest - uncaring arrogant way-anyway this is just how I feel and what ive seen and experienced- im a carer-but I know who is and who isn't mad- i don't care what anyone thinks about that- but one things for sure- I know my own family- and no one is mad or mental in it- but are being drugged that way- and called that way- and cant escape without going mad from withdrawal- but you see' who knows if they're mad- because the drugs keep them mad and sad- and they (psychiatry and mental health)cant even take them away-safely- and admit that- yet at the same time also admit- that for "some" their bad- and harm them. recovery -what's that- since when- 18mths -24 mths its only been in mental health/psychiatric language-- and only because they worked out management isn't good enough anymore- and people want to recover- aren't accepting defeatist "management' anymore- so embarrassment drove them to "use" recovery and healing now- its never been in their language- no its not just about a name calling- its about non pharmacolgical mental health care-its about safely withdrawing from debilitating poisons- and the help and love needed to do that- safely- its not there is it? not one non pharma- or pharma withdrawal facility in the whole of Australia- what fuses people to disability- is the word "mental" that needs to be changed to brain or mind- take that away- and half the jobs done.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

Lisa_MCasual Contributor19 July 2016, 7:49 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

Hi there, I think that's it's important to differentiate between having a diagnosis and sharing the new with the planet. Much like having something wrong with the motor of your car, if you don't know what the problem is, your chances of having a smooth ride so to speak are very slim. I too was appalled to hear that I had a 'personality disorder' attached to my diagnosis of 'complex ptsd & depression', but felt that at least having a final diagnosis I could google all the information available so I understood what the psychs were talking about. I also felt that I didn't want to burden my immediate family & friends with this information & I would always (and still do to an extent) make light of my symptoms to them & to my detriment, it took a trip to ED for the seriousness of my illness come to light & for me to have the courage to be open & get the help that I need. I still have a long way to go, but if I can help but one person get help before they arrive in intensive care then speaking out is worth it. Cheers, Lisa_M

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

AussieGirlContributor19 July 2016, 7:51 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

Hello Butterfly. I am in the same boat as you. I am a health professional with the same diagnosis.What you have written is completely true. All of it.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

Shaz51Senior Contributor19 July 2016, 7:52 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

@Shimmer and @CherryBomb

reading all the comments , has got me as a wife thinking about my reaction when my husband was diagnosed -- got me doing research to help him and to help me to help him

but `what do you do next¬

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

SamiamCasual Contributor19 July 2016, 7:53 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

Pleasure. If I had been a person first when I was treated in the past it would have made a huge difference in my life. I thought I was a problem to be "fixed" and felt unfixable

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

ShimmerSenior Contributor19 July 2016, 7:55 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

Hi @Former-Member

I'm very glad to hear that getting the right diagnosis has massively changed your life for the better It sounds like being diagnosed with DID has helped you understand yourself much better and find appropriate self-care and treatment approaches - that is fantastic and a great illustration of how diagnoses should work! It is interesting to note that it took a while to get there - I hope this gives others hope, who may have been struggling with misdiagnosis as well.

You make a really good point about questioning your own insight when you feel like a diagnosis doesn't fit but are hearing something else from professionals. This is where I think discussion with your clinicians is so key, to come to a conclusion together. Do you have further thoughts on this @Former-Member?

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

MazaritaSenior Contributor19 July 2016, 7:58 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

@CherryBomb,

I did think that the anxiety and depression diagnosis was right when I was being treated for that for such a long time. I just accepted it as an expert view when I was younger and, as those were definitely symptoms I was experiencing, it made sense. It was only after seven years of being basically a nymphomaniac (thinking all the time that I was some kind of love goddess spreading joy to the world) and then another swing back into huge depression that I began to question whether my condition was something more than anxiety and depression alone. This was confirmed after 18 years. I've read that it can take a very long time to diagnose bipolar and that was definitely the case for me but I do look back now and, especially with one psychiatrist I saw for 13 years, wonder how he missed it really.

Now, in my 50s, if I were to be diagnosed with something else, I would consider it carefully but would not accept it if I disagreed. I would like to think I would discuss it with my treating doctors. But if I found no satisfaction from them, I think I would seek doctors who I felt understood my situation better. As you say a collaborative approach is best. And if the doctor and client are not on the same page with their understanding of the condition, that is not a good place to start with positive therapy.

I hope this answers your questions. And I also want to add that I fully respect other people's experiences of diagnosis that might be different to mine.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

Unknown userMember19 July 2016, 7:58 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What use is a diagnosis? // 19 July, 7pm AEST

@CherryBomb wrote:

I'm wondering if anyone has thoughs on how/if you disclose you have a diagnosis with others? Is it worth sharing it, or should you keep it private?

I don't tell anyone my dx because of what it carries. Virtually no one understands it and those who have heard of it either think it doesn't actually exist or have some kind of weird hollywood version of it in their heads.... and for the very, very rare individuals who truly understand it, it tells them more of my history than I'm comfortable with anyone knowing.

I have told one friend and she's special.

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