Posted by bleauberry on December 15, 2009, at 18:34:01
In reply to Re: Atypical Depression versus Bipolar Depression » bleauberry, posted by SLS on December 14, 2009, at 21:11:22
Hi SLS,
Thanks for your response. I knew as I was writing it would push some of your buttons. :-) I know you well.
One problem you and I have is that we are often mistaken by each other in our interpretations of what we see in writing from one another. It is not the same as being face to face. You very often misinterpret things I say, or accidentally read things into what I say, or become overly defensive in a way that completely blots out huge chunks of things I said. I accidentally do the same with your posts. I
I have no doubt if we were in a living room together chatting and debating over snacks and tea, we would find we actually agree on just about everything, with minor nuances here and there.
As to your reply to my post, I pretty much agree with everything you said...while at the same time agreeing with everything I initially said. If that makes any sense. It is all the above together, not either-or.
Basically, I have not seen our DX terms be of much use. I'm sorry, I just haven't. Have you? I don't think so. Once in a while maybe. I agree with you, that does not mean throw it away or give up the whole idea. I am just saying, "keep it in perspective". Meanwhile, try to improve it.
But above all, use the diagnosis to ask, "why is this happening", before pulling out a prescription pad and completely ignoring why it is happening.
Your example of a diagnosis of depression with some bad thyroid numbers indicating hashimotos, well, the problem with that is that 8 of 10 of the doctors who gave that diagnosis of depression never would have even checked thyroid, and only half of those who actually did check it would have done a thorough enough check to uncover hashimotos. Most clinicians only look at TSH, a few at T3 and T4, but hardly any for the antibodies.
Here's my diagnosis:
1. Depression.
2. Double depression.
3. Dysthymia.
4. Depression with anxiety.
5. Bipolar depression.
6. Bipolar II.
7. Borderline Personality Disorder.
8. Anhedonia not depression.
9. Yuckiness of Lyme, not depression.I mean, you can see why DX has not been helpful to me. Nine different doctors, nine different takes on it. Not one was in agreement with the other. Too much overlap. No clear boundary lines. One can look like another. They can mimic each other. They can change from week to week or month to month. Things are not stationary. Things are much too subjective, despite our best efforts to make them objective. I suspect I am not the only way that encounters this problem.
But it is still a worthwhile pursuit. I just think too much emphasis is placed on it at the expense of other more important issues.
poster:bleauberry
thread:929182
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091206/msgs/929438.html