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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kyn on October 9, 2009, at 16:53:35
I'm 48y.o, in the past 4 years I've gone from no mental health issues to being diagnose with everything from ADD, depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia, psychosis NOS, insomnia, delusional, after 1 panic attack. My husband and I have been having terrible problems during this time. I want to divorce him because of his extremely controlling behavior, but I have no money and 3 children. To the outside world he is the easy going fun person everyone wants to be around and I'm quiet and on the shy side. At home I can't go anywhere or doing anything without his permission first, and if I am allow to go somewhere I must be back by the time I've been given. My husband will call the doctors and report false situations that never happened, he also calls my family and friends behind my back with these false statements (1 family member came to me and told me, the doctors have also mention his calls). How do doctors make diagnoses? Can a diagnosis be made without input from others?
Posted by Deneb on October 9, 2009, at 17:03:51
In reply to What in a diagnoses?, posted by Kyn on October 9, 2009, at 16:53:35
Hello, welcome to Babble. I'm a little busy right now, but hopefully I'll be able to welcome you better after my tutorial. Nice to see you!
Posted by Deneb on October 9, 2009, at 20:18:50
In reply to What in a diagnoses?, posted by Kyn on October 9, 2009, at 16:53:35
Hi Kyn, That must be hard to adjust to, suddenly being faced with so many diagnoses. It kind of sounds like your husband wants you to think you are sick and helpless to control you. I very much doubt you have all those diagnoses if all you've had is one panic attack. Most people have at least one panic attack in their lives, it doesn't even mean they have an anxiety disorder. It is very commom to have a panic attack.
Usually doctors don't just go by what other people say about a patient to make a diagnosis. Usually they would examine the patient themselves before coming to any conclusions.
Is there anyone who can help you be more independent? Any way you can get a job? Even a part-time job would let you save up some money. It sounds like you are having a hard time having to deal with such a controlling husband.
I would tell the doctors about your husband's behaviour and I would guess the doctors would then take his comments with a huge grain of salt. Tell them how much your husband controls you.
I'm sorry you have to deal with this situation. I hope you find a solution. Post back and update us of your situation.
Posted by Dinah on October 10, 2009, at 9:49:51
In reply to What in a diagnoses?, posted by Kyn on October 9, 2009, at 16:53:35
IMO, it *ought* to be made from personal observation and inquiry with input from others, but with a stance of scientific skepticism about anything that is reported by only one other person.
What do your counselors say about your situation? Do they understand all that is going on? My aunt had a husband similar to what you describe. He was physically as well as emotionally abusive. Part of her distress was that no one really believed her. But there are counselors specifically trained to counsel people with controlling and/or abusive spouses. Are you able to see one?
Posted by Kyn on October 10, 2009, at 10:25:03
In reply to Re: What in a diagnoses? » Kyn, posted by Dinah on October 10, 2009, at 9:49:51
Are there any medical test such as EEG's ot MRI's that would indicate the type of disorder someone might have, or is the diagnosis based on one persons knowledge of mental health? Mental Health is so broad and I know with other areas of medicine such as oncology doctors are broken down according to their area of specialty in oncology.
I have the same problems with the doctor believing him and not me. How do you find a doctor/counselor who works with cases like mine?
Posted by Maria01 on October 10, 2009, at 12:10:53
In reply to Re: What in a diagnoses?, posted by Kyn on October 10, 2009, at 10:25:03
Diagnostic stuff aside, you need to get in touch with the nearest domestic violence hotline/referral service. They have counselors who are specifically trained to help those who are in relationships with emotionally abusive/controlling spouses. Your husband just isn't controlling, he's emotionally abusive. There are counselors who are trained to deal with this type of situation, but it is up to you to seek help. You can call 211 in most areas, and they can provide you with low-cost referrals to such counselors. 411 also can provide you with the numbers.
Getting the right diagnosis should be the least of your worries right now. Things will not improve unless there are changes made to your living situation. They can also help you find a different doctor as well.
Good luck.
Posted by Deneb on October 10, 2009, at 15:33:44
In reply to Re: What in a diagnoses?, posted by Kyn on October 10, 2009, at 10:25:03
To the best of my knowledge, there aren't any tests like MRI's or EEGs that can diagnose mental disorders. Diagnosis of mental disorders is based on this book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM IV). There are studies that show certain mental disorders have different image patterns in fMRI's and stuff like that, but I think we are still light years away from being able to use them to definitively diagnose someone. I think there is a lot of controversy as to the validity of those types of tests.
I do think there are some specialities that people go into, like anxiety disorders, or PTSD etc, but those people might be hard to find.
Posted by Kyn on October 10, 2009, at 15:48:16
In reply to Re: What in a diagnoses?, posted by Maria01 on October 10, 2009, at 12:10:53
I don't have any money, my husband withdrew the money from our joint accts via cash so I would not even know where to look for money if I needed it, and I have 3 children. The day I found out he had drained our accounts I went to the family center for domestic abuse but when I got there it was to late the judge was gone, they gave me the choice of staying at a shelter overnight or going home and I decided to go home because of my children. While I was at the family center my husband was on the phone with my doctor telling him that I have been disappearing for long periods of time and know one would know where I was and how he was concern for my safety, which was false because other then this day I had always accounted to him for every moment I was gone. I thought because this was the 1st time him did not known where I was that he would forgive me and leave me alone. Unfortunately the doctor believed him, and he had me committed, I can't go through that again, its a feeling of such shame I can't describe. The people from the family center could not help me since they did not know me before I came in that day. He has also over the years been discrediting me to my family and friends, and now that I was hospitalize it only gave him more credibility that I must have psychiatric problem. Some days I do wonder if there is something wrong with me, since my family and friends who care about me believe I have a problem, and maybe I need to come to terms with it.
I thought if I could find a psychiatrist who could do a psychiatric evaluation on someone in my situation, I would at least have an accurate diagnosis (good or bad), receive the proper treatment, and then through a therapist find out what my options are. I know I need to be sure that I do have an accurate diagnosis.
Posted by Deneb on October 10, 2009, at 16:08:27
In reply to Re: What in a diagnoses?, posted by Kyn on October 10, 2009, at 15:48:16
I think for an accurate diagnosis you see to see someone for more than a few minutes. Doctors don't usually commit someone unless they are a danger to themselves or others and I think it often takes 2 doctors to agree that is the case before they will commit you.
I'm sorry you went through a bad experience. Can you go to the family centre for domestic abuse again? I don't have any experience with domestic abuse, but maybe you have to keep trying to get some help. Don't give up. There are people trained to help you out there.
You mentioned that you are not sure if there is something wrong with you. I think there is no harm in seeing a psychiatrist or therapist or something. Just be truthful. They are there to help you out, not your husband.
Posted by Kyn on October 10, 2009, at 20:12:23
In reply to Re: What in a diagnoses? » Kyn, posted by Deneb on October 10, 2009, at 16:08:27
In the state I live in you can be committed for being a threat to yourself, or others, or if they believe you are not able to care for yourself, such as running away for long periods of time for no reason. I was actually given the choice of admitting myself voluntarily or they would commit me, which I was told would be much worse, so as you can image I chose voluntary admission even though it felt as if I had no choice. I never saw or spoke to a psychiatrist until approximately 18 hours after I was admitted, and that doctor saw me for maybe 10-15 minutes. I know all the literature states that patients are diagnose only after a comprehensive evaluation, but in an overcrowded unit that was not what I experience.
I've read many people are misdiagnose which concerns me. I'm worried that the psychiatrist that did my initial exam may have been influence by the information he said he recieved from my doctor, who only spoke to my husband. I know if I do have a mental health problem I need to accept it and follow through on treatment but I need to also know that the diagnosis I am given is not influence by my husband given our situation. The other part of the problem is that I need a logical explaination as to why the doctor thinks I have a particular disorder, what actual behavior has the doctor observe that lead him to the diagnosis he has given me.
I live in a world where my husband presents himself as a caring and concern husband when we are out with others, and then when we are at home he becomes very cold, controling, and angry toward me. I need to know the psychiatrist is basing his diagnosis on factual information. I apologize for venting so much.
Posted by Maxime on October 13, 2009, at 15:48:44
In reply to Re: What in a diagnoses?, posted by Kyn on October 10, 2009, at 20:12:23
The psychiatrist and or psychologist should be using the DSM to diagnose you.
Why don't you ask your psychiatrist how he/she came up with the diagnosis?
This is the end of the thread.
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