Source
r/bipolar•
ReserveDuck

Is a diagnosis worth it?

General Question

Hi,

I think I have bipolar disorder type 2, but I've never been diagnosed. I've been with several psychologists between 12/16, for "mood problems", but everytime I stopped because I felt better after a few months and I hated therapy.

Now I'm 20, and I've been thinking about getting a diagnosis (if I'm correct), but I don't know if I want to. It just makes it seem so... real?

Has getting a diagnosis been worth it for you guys? And how would it work? Can I just make an appointment and say: I think I have a bipolar disorder, can you check? Or is that to presumptuous?

Thanks in advance!

Posted Feb 3, 2020, 1:22 PM UTC

17
ThePiglett•

I am a 100 x happier being on medications. Results may vary but for me I am much better off. I sleep 10 restful hours per night and have no hypomania or depression.

3
ReserveDuckOP•

Sounds attractive. I've heard medication makes you a bit sedated, has that been a problem for you at all?

1
ThePiglett•

Not really. Seroquel makes me very chill. Seroquel has a half life of 6hrs

1
f0reverwander1ng•

I was in and out of therapy as well as a teenager, finally diagnosed BP1 a few months ago. It was absolutely worth it to me. It got to the point where it interfered with my life so much I couldn’t stand myself anymore. And it explained so much of my behaviors in the last however many years. It has also helped my family and boyfriend understand me a LOT more, and why I am the way I am. Before diagnosis I had little support, told to “Just stop being depressed/anxious/moody.” Now I have so much support because they understand that this disorder is causing these issues, and they’ve learned to help me better after learning more themselves. Also, I was always on medications for depression with no luck. This is the first time I’ve had luck with medications. If it interferes greatly with your life, your relationships, job, then I’d go for it.

2
ProxiC3•

If it is really interfering with your life, a diagnosis might be worth it. But you risk problems with certain types of jobs, and almost all life insurance.

1
ReserveDuckOP•

But you risk problems with certain types of jobs, and almost all life insurance.

Yea, that's what I'm afraid for. I'm training to be a psychiatric nurse, but I don't know if I pass the background check if I'm diagnosed.

1
ProxiC3•

I have never heard of any nursing students getting rejected over bipolar, so I think you are safe there. Maybe other posters can chime in?

1