So I went to a new psychiatrist (last one retired) to talk about starting on medication and since I was there, I decided to ask for a diagnosis (I have obsessive thoughts, tics, social anxiety...)
Well... First of all she said she doesn't like to put "tags" like she think is useless to name the diseases... Anyways, I told her that I disagreed and find helpful to explain my problems to my friends if I have a proper diagnosed (apart from some other reasons) so she finally told me that I'm in the "obsessive-phobic spectrum" which includes OCD (after a lot of research and talking with people who has OCD, I think I may have OCD) but she didn't specifically said that I have OCD even when I asked for a diagnosis... And when I told her that I think I may have Tourette's syndrome because of my tics (again, I made my research and speak with people with that diagnosis) she told me that I don't have it without even letting me explain why I think I have it nor letting me explain my tics... And she only knew me for less than an hour 🤦🏻♂️.
So my question is... Do you think is inappropriate//bad//rude to say that I have (or that I may have) OCD//TS without having a proper diagnosis? Because I find really hard to get a diagnosis and this new psychiatrist didn't bring me too much confidence...
Thanks all of you and sry for the long message 😅✨
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Lixus
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hmm 🤔 seems like your new psychiatrist isn’t a good one . So my friend has Tourette’s and he says bad words which is coprolalia . it would be wonderful to have a psychiatrist that has worked with people with Tourette’s and OCD . she firstly has to know you better and instead of saying no you don’t have this or no you don’t have that she should be helping you plus how does she know you only know your body .
Exactly, I think most of the people, even doctors, (at least here, in my country) think that in order to have TS you need to have coprolalia, even if less that 15% of the people with TS presents that.. Doctors don't take seriously this disease...
It’s so sad that this happens ☹️. It would be wonderful to get diagnosed to get peace of mind at least
I’ve had psychiatrists like this too. They seem to not like labelling or putting and name to a diagnosis. Personally I dislike psychiatrists. I don’t think it’s wrong to label yourself with OCD as I think you know yourself. There is a lot of information out there about it, I suggest getting a book to help or an audiobook that can help you understand it. I think it’s good to sometimes label things, because like you said, it’s much easier to explain things to friends/family/work colleagues. With the tics, some people get tics from being nervous or extremely anxious this might be the case for you? If you think it is TS, find another psychiatrist that will take you seriously because this one does not seem a good one.
Thank you so much for you answer,I can't be more agree
About the tics... She said that too, that it's just "anxiety tics, very common in people with obsessive thoughts and anxiety" the thing is that anxiety and stress are not the only two things that can trigger my tics... When I'm relaxed or having fun I have more tics for example. When I'm focus and with friends I have less tics (I'm with friends, but even if sometimes I have anxiety I'm always focus on something and I don't have so much tics) I have tics even when I'm trying to sleep...
And in summer, I suffer less anxiety and obsessive thoughts but my tics doesn't get any lower so...
I find if a doctor is willing to work with you and not dictate treatment then that is the makings of a good doctor/patient relationship. You can give yourself whatever diagnosis feels best to explain your actions. Both the diagnosis you give yourself and the one from the doctor may be incorrect or correct. Fifty-fifty chance on both. Both of you are taking an educated guess with the symptoms and presentation part of that. A diagnosis doesn't have any power other than what we give it. It's not substantial in any way other than dictating treatment. And I personally want a doctor that has an open mind and is ready to help me explore options and alternative treatments.
If you liked her as a person, I would give her a bit more time. I can understand tat she didn't want to immediately put you in a diagnostic box, and I think that may be commendable. You may be trying to diagnose yourself (which I understand), but she is the doctor so let her get to know you better and see what she says.
Of course, I don't mind to let her know me and decide what I have, the problem comes when she denied that I have what I think I may have without letting me explain my thoughts//tics...
Sometimes I get the impression psychiatrist are just to give me meds and ask the minimum amount of questions to know what to give me. They don't have any interest on the diagnosis (at least that's what the impression I have from my actual doctor)
hi hun how's u doing? I'm sorry to hear ur not getting anywhere, ironically I used to work as a counsellor before I had to leave due to my health. Dr's seem reluctant to label anything my advice to you would be to get a 2nd opinion or new Dr. if she won't listen to you then you need to find someone who will xxx all the best n if u want a chat let me know xx
Hi, I'm doing fine, thank you!Thanks for your reply too ✨
I thought of that too but since I'm using the public system (I can't afford private yet) it's hard (at least where I live) in psychiatry/psychology to get a 2nd opinion or to change doctor, it gets time, maybe 2-3 months at least and since I live in a small town I'm afraid I won't find a good doctor here so...
I thought to go with my PCP to talk about my tics "issue" to see if he can give me an appointment with some neurologist, who can also diagnose TS
Hi. As far as what you tell others, say what you want, with the proviso that this is what you feel your diagnosis may be. No one is going to check to see if what you feel your diagnosis may be has been medically verified. That’s a separate issue from you wanting a proper diagnosis. In my experience it can take a number of sessions for a psychiatrist to assign a diagnosis. In my case, though clinical depression was long ago given as my diagnosis, the question of whether I am unipolar or bipolar has continued for years. If after a few sessions you are not given a diagnosis or the one(s) you are given doesn’t feel right, by all means get another opinion…….
Thank you so much for your reply, it is very helpful!I've just always felt a little bit guilty/disrespectful with the OCD community if I say that I may have OCD even when I've not been diagnosed, although some people with OCD told me that it's ok and it's not a problem at all
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