Bipolar II misdiagnosis

[WildBill]

Man, all this hassle just for going to a shrink. I wonder how many people would hesitate going to a Psychiatrist, even if they believed they could be helped, because of the threat to their rights to defend themselves.

I have known people with PTSD who never got treatment from the VA because they were so afraid they would get labeled or locked up. One close friend spent a couple of years homeless before his family found him. He never did get professional help but seemed to get better as he got older, but he was able to buy guns and go to the range right up until the day he died.

Its a shame though he could have been spared a lot of pain in his life if he wasn't so afraid of being labeled and losing his rights. I know I wouldn't go to one of these guys or to the VA, once labeled it can be awfully tough to rid yourself of this label.

It is a real shame that there is such a stigma attached to getting treatment from a psychiatrist. As you said, it has resulted in many people not seeking treatment. Instead of getting better, many develop worse symptoms.

[parabelum]

with Liberty.

I am almost certain that good 90% of the bureaucrats on the Hill are heavily medicated psychopaths. That would explain a lot.

[parabelum]

Let's say you live in a rough neighborhood. Make that Chicago , should public safety supersede your own safety über alles?

Aren't you a part of public as well, and by takedown of your Right affecting your safety, isn't a move to make public safer with infringement not prescribed under Constitution, moot?

Mandatory drug testing of all Congress members!

[loktite]

<snip>
Mandatory drug testing of all Congress members!

Pfft why waste the money!

But seriously (and OT from OP), let's hear it for TERM LIMITS!

[Edwards07]

Man, all this hassle just for going to a shrink. I wonder how many people would hesitate going to a Psychiatrist, even if they believed they could be helped, because of the threat to their rights to defend themselves.

I have known people with PTSD who never got treatment from the VA because they were so afraid they would get labeled or locked up. One close friend spent a couple of years homeless before his family found him. He never did get professional help but seemed to get better as he got older, but he was able to buy guns and go to the range right up until the day he died.

Its a shame though he could have been spared a lot of pain in his life if he wasn't so afraid of being labeled and losing his rights. I know I wouldn't go to one of these guys or to the VA, once labeled it can be awfully tough to rid yourself of this label.

Yep. I'll never go back to one, that's for damn sure.

[rotor]

Man, all this hassle just for going to a shrink. I wonder how many people would hesitate going to a Psychiatrist, even if they believed they could be helped, because of the threat to their rights to defend themselves.

I have known people with PTSD who never got treatment from the VA because they were so afraid they would get labeled or locked up. One close friend spent a couple of years homeless before his family found him. He never did get professional help but seemed to get better as he got older, but he was able to buy guns and go to the range right up until the day he died.

Its a shame though he could have been spared a lot of pain in his life if he wasn't so afraid of being labeled and losing his rights. I know I wouldn't go to one of these guys or to the VA, once labeled it can be awfully tough to rid yourself of this label.

Yep. I'll never go back to one, that's for darn sure.

I have Bipolar acquaintances . They don't function well off of meds. If you need treatment (and I don't think you do from your discussion here) go for it. It can make the difference between non-functional and functional. Best of luck with getting your LTC.

[The Annoyed Man]

Man, all this hassle just for going to a shrink. I wonder how many people would hesitate going to a Psychiatrist, even if they believed they could be helped, because of the threat to their rights to defend themselves.

I have known people with PTSD who never got treatment from the VA because they were so afraid they would get labeled or locked up. One close friend spent a couple of years homeless before his family found him. He never did get professional help but seemed to get better as he got older, but he was able to buy guns and go to the range right up until the day he died.

Its a shame though he could have been spared a lot of pain in his life if he wasn't so afraid of being labeled and losing his rights. I know I wouldn't go to one of these guys or to the VA, once labeled it can be awfully tough to rid yourself of this label.

Yep. I'll never go back to one, that's for darn sure.

I have Bipolar acquaintances . They don't function well off of meds. If you need treatment (and I don't think you do from your discussion here) go for it. It can make the difference between non-functional and functional. Best of luck with getting your LTC.

My good friend and former employer......the REASON I came to Texas when I did.......fought Bipolar Disorder from his teenage years until he committed suicide in late 2007. It's nothing to fool around with. If someone I know had a legitimate diagnosis, I would always advise taking their meds, staying in contact with their doctor, and treating it like it is the REAL disease that it is.

But in the OP's case, this doesn't seem to apply.

[E.Marquez]

I doubt if there is a database anywhere on your psychiatric history. From your description of things I doubt that there are any records anywhere but the quandary is that you did see a physician and got a bad diagnosis

Question 22 : have you ever been diagnosed with a mental disorder? Hmm, let me check...nope nothing in my home files or important documents of that, call your PCM "doc, do you have any recored of me being diagnosed with a mental disorder? NO? Ok, thanks"

"Answer Q 22: NO"

Did he really get that diagnosis ? You sure ? its been several years,,perhaps his memory is mistaken...perhaps he was diagnosed with depression that "might" be caused by Bipolar condition.
There was no meds prescribed and picked up at a pharmacy for ANY condition, let alone Bipolar.
And since the doc is not going to be refuting the mistaken memory of something that may or may not have happened... Id say the burden of proof is on the state

Unless there is concern or justification to say you are bipolar now.. Unless there is accessible proof anyone ever said you MIGHT have been bipolar...why worry about something that may or may not have ever happened.

If you wanted to put a file in your safe noted "CYA for some day I get hauled into court over a justified defense shooting" to guard against some lawyer somehow finding an old med recored on you.. go see a doc now.. "doc I feel great, life is great..just wanted a medical opinion that Im as sane and well balanced as I feel" that would provide peace of mind for you now, and later as needed.

That is not legal advice, and possible a really bad idea..... so keep that in mind as well
'

[rotor]

I doubt if there is a database anywhere on your psychiatric history. From your description of things I doubt that there are any records anywhere but the quandary is that you did see a physician and got a bad diagnosis

Question 22 : have you ever been diagnosed with a mental disorder? Hmm, let me check...nope nothing in my home files or important documents of that, call your PCM "doc, do you have any recored of me being diagnosed with a mental disorder? NO? Ok, thanks"

"Answer Q 22: NO"

Did he really get that diagnosis ? You sure ? its been several years,,perhaps his memory is mistaken...perhaps he was diagnosed with depression that "might" be caused by Bipolar condition.
There was no meds prescribed and picked up at a pharmacy for ANY condition, let alone Bipolar.
And since the doc is not going to be refuting the mistaken memory of something that may or may not have happened... Id say the burden of proof is on the state

Unless there is concern or justification to say you are bipolar now.. Unless there is accessible proof anyone ever said you MIGHT have been bipolar...why worry about something that may or may not have ever happened.

If you wanted to put a file in your safe noted "CYA for some day I get hauled into court over a justified defense shooting" to guard against some lawyer somehow finding an old med recored on you.. go see a doc now.. "doc I feel great, life is great..just wanted a medical opinion that Im as sane and well balanced as I feel" that would provide peace of mind for you now, and later as needed.

That is not legal advice, and possible a really bad idea..... so keep that in mind as well
'

Maybe you and I read different posts. He was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder he said, he was prescribed meds and picked them up at a pharmacy he said. He may or may not have filed with his insurance he said. He doubts the docs diagnosis because she was an older lady doc. IANAL either but I can read the previous posts.

[Edwards07]

I doubt if there is a database anywhere on your psychiatric history. From your description of things I doubt that there are any records anywhere but the quandary is that you did see a physician and got a bad diagnosis

Question 22 : have you ever been diagnosed with a mental disorder? Hmm, let me check...nope nothing in my home files or important documents of that, call your PCM "doc, do you have any recored of me being diagnosed with a mental disorder? NO? Ok, thanks"

"Answer Q 22: NO"

Did he really get that diagnosis ? You sure ? its been several years,,perhaps his memory is mistaken...perhaps he was diagnosed with depression that "might" be caused by Bipolar condition.
There was no meds prescribed and picked up at a pharmacy for ANY condition, let alone Bipolar.
And since the doc is not going to be refuting the mistaken memory of something that may or may not have happened... Id say the burden of proof is on the state

Unless there is concern or justification to say you are bipolar now.. Unless there is accessible proof anyone ever said you MIGHT have been bipolar...why worry about something that may or may not have ever happened.

If you wanted to put a file in your safe noted "CYA for some day I get hauled into court over a justified defense shooting" to guard against some lawyer somehow finding an old med recored on you.. go see a doc now.. "doc I feel great, life is great..just wanted a medical opinion that Im as sane and well balanced as I feel" that would provide peace of mind for you now, and later as needed.

That is not legal advice, and possible a really bad idea..... so keep that in mind as well
'

Maybe you and I read different posts. He was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder he said, he was prescribed meds and picked them up at a pharmacy he said. He may or may not have filed with his insurance he said. He doubts the docs diagnosis because she was an older lady doc. IANAL either but I can read the previous posts.

I didn't doubt the diag. because she was an old lady. It was because I read up on what bipolar2 was and I had none such symptoms. I suspect she was a pill pusher getting kick backs from a drug company.

[rotor]

I doubt if there is a database anywhere on your psychiatric history. From your description of things I doubt that there are any records anywhere but the quandary is that you did see a physician and got a bad diagnosis

Question 22 : have you ever been diagnosed with a mental disorder? Hmm, let me check...nope nothing in my home files or important documents of that, call your PCM "doc, do you have any recored of me being diagnosed with a mental disorder? NO? Ok, thanks"

"Answer Q 22: NO"

Did he really get that diagnosis ? You sure ? its been several years,,perhaps his memory is mistaken...perhaps he was diagnosed with depression that "might" be caused by Bipolar condition.
There was no meds prescribed and picked up at a pharmacy for ANY condition, let alone Bipolar.
And since the doc is not going to be refuting the mistaken memory of something that may or may not have happened... Id say the burden of proof is on the state

Unless there is concern or justification to say you are bipolar now.. Unless there is accessible proof anyone ever said you MIGHT have been bipolar...why worry about something that may or may not have ever happened.

If you wanted to put a file in your safe noted "CYA for some day I get hauled into court over a justified defense shooting" to guard against some lawyer somehow finding an old med recored on you.. go see a doc now.. "doc I feel great, life is great..just wanted a medical opinion that Im as sane and well balanced as I feel" that would provide peace of mind for you now, and later as needed.

That is not legal advice, and possible a really bad idea..... so keep that in mind as well
'

Maybe you and I read different posts. He was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder he said, he was prescribed meds and picked them up at a pharmacy he said. He may or may not have filed with his insurance he said. He doubts the docs diagnosis because she was an older lady doc. IANAL either but I can read the previous posts.

I didn't doubt the diag. because she was an old lady. It was because I read up on what bipolar2 was and I had none such symptoms. I suspect she was a pill pusher getting kick backs from a drug company.

Let's assume you are 100% correct. The doctor may not have been one of the A+ rating. If you have to go before a board though the "old lady" physician with a million years of experience is more likely to be believed over a young man ( I assume ) who read up about the diagnosis and didn't believe the doctor was right. Especially if you sit in front of a bunch of doctors and accuse this deceased physician of being a pill pusher and getting kickbacks. I believe that would be a losing argument for you. I really can't tell you how to play this. Good luck with getting your LTC.

[Ruark]

HIPAA allows you to get a copy of your medical records at any time. Just call that doctor's office and request it, simple as that. You can probably pick it up in a few minutes.

[The Annoyed Man]

Let's assume you are 100% correct. The doctor may not have been one of the A+ rating. If you have to go before a board though the "old lady" physician with a million years of experience is more likely to be believed over a young man ( I assume ) who read up about the diagnosis and didn't believe the doctor was right. Especially if you sit in front of a bunch of doctors and accuse this deceased physician of being a pill pusher and getting kickbacks. I believe that would be a losing argument for you. I really can't tell you how to play this. Good luck with getting your LTC.

I think you missed the part where he said that his doctor has since died, and in a subsequent post said that the records may or may not be in the possession of a surviving spouse.

To refresh everyone's memory, here is the OP's original post:

Around 2000-01 I went through a rough patch, which turned out to be depression. The psychiatrist I went to see diagnosed me as BipolarII on my first visit, prescribed Lamictal and sent me home with free samples. I went and read up about bipolar disorder - couldn't believe that's what my problem was and sure enough, I didn't fit the description. I had a sister in law who saw this same psychiatrist because she needed help dealing with prescription drug dependency. Guess what? This same doctor diagnosed her for the same thing, prescribed the same pills and gave out the same free samples. I never took the pills. I was suspicious from the beginning and never went back - but after my sis in law, I called complete bull on it. Turns out I just needed to stay off my computer, get some fresh air, excercise and enough distance from a bad on and off relationship and I was fine. I laughed off the diagnosis, until I decided I wanted to get my CHL.

The problem here is that this particular psychiatrist is dead now. How can I know if this is even on my record? Does anyone know of a way to access mental health records, from a deceased doctor at that? I've seen that the law states that they can waive that diagnosis if a doc. gives me a clean bill of health - but what if it was never my problem? What are my options here?

Thanks for reading & I appreciate any insight you folks could share-

In the subsequent post, he said:

Na, I wouldn't lie on the application - I have a squeeky clean record and want to keep it that way. There could be a chance that nothing would show up but I'm not willing to risk it. I'll just have to keep carrying only in my truck / rv if I can't find a way around this.

The doc was an old lady - I don't think she had a spouse to pass it to. I can't be sure though.

[rotor]

Let's assume you are 100% correct. The doctor may not have been one of the A+ rating. If you have to go before a board though the "old lady" physician with a million years of experience is more likely to be believed over a young man ( I assume ) who read up about the diagnosis and didn't believe the doctor was right. Especially if you sit in front of a bunch of doctors and accuse this deceased physician of being a pill pusher and getting kickbacks. I believe that would be a losing argument for you. I really can't tell you how to play this. Good luck with getting your LTC.

I think you missed the part where he said that his doctor has since died, and in a subsequent post said that the records may or may not be in the possession of a surviving spouse.

To refresh everyone's memory, here is the OP's original post:

Around 2000-01 I went through a rough patch, which turned out to be depression. The psychiatrist I went to see diagnosed me as BipolarII on my first visit, prescribed Lamictal and sent me home with free samples. I went and read up about bipolar disorder - couldn't believe that's what my problem was and sure enough, I didn't fit the description. I had a sister in law who saw this same psychiatrist because she needed help dealing with prescription drug dependency. Guess what? This same doctor diagnosed her for the same thing, prescribed the same pills and gave out the same free samples. I never took the pills. I was suspicious from the beginning and never went back - but after my sis in law, I called complete bull on it. Turns out I just needed to stay off my computer, get some fresh air, excercise and enough distance from a bad on and off relationship and I was fine. I laughed off the diagnosis, until I decided I wanted to get my CHL.

The problem here is that this particular psychiatrist is dead now. How can I know if this is even on my record? Does anyone know of a way to access mental health records, from a deceased doctor at that? I've seen that the law states that they can waive that diagnosis if a doc. gives me a clean bill of health - but what if it was never my problem? What are my options here?

Thanks for reading & I appreciate any insight you folks could share-

In the subsequent post, he said:

Na, I wouldn't lie on the application - I have a squeeky clean record and want to keep it that way. There could be a chance that nothing would show up but I'm not willing to risk it. I'll just have to keep carrying only in my truck / rv if I can't find a way around this.

The doc was an old lady - I don't think she had a spouse to pass it to. I can't be sure though.

This post just doesn't end. I didn't miss the part where he said his doctor died. I told him to contact the Texas Medical Board to find out who had the deceased doctors records. Also, after 7 years the records were probably destroyed. What this comes down to is how one answers the questions on the application. If the poster is going to be squeaky clean he better get a letter from a living board certified psychiatrist now. I don't think I have anything more to say about this.

[The Annoyed Man]

This post just doesn't end. I didn't miss the part where he said his doctor died. I told him to contact the Texas Medical Board to find out who had the deceased doctors records. Also, after 7 years the records were probably destroyed. What this comes down to is how one answers the questions on the application. If the poster is going to be squeaky clean he better get a letter from a living board certified psychiatrist now. I don't think I have anything more to say about this.

I wasn't trying to argue with you. If you addressed those things, then I apologize. I didn't see it, and it seemed that it was being overlooked. My bad.