Lived Experience Forum

[isabella]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum, site and the above diagnosis of BPD + ADHD + PTSD + BIPOLAR.. I always knew something was different about me.

Counselling since I was 9 years old ... then at 39 I started a Mental Health/AOD course this year and started identifying with BPD info. I was finally referred to a psychiatrist and was prepared for the BPD/Depresssion/PTSD but was thrown for a loop with the ADHD. But it fits. perfectly.

Sigh.

So. Just thought I was say hi, share a little about me and, I don't know, start participating.

Speak soon.

Isabella.

[chemonro]

Hey Isabella, welcome to the forum! 

Just remember that a diagnosis in mental health is a description, and a lot of the time the professionals will try one on you and then another till they find one that "fits". 

A label doesn't change who you are, the question to ask is : is the description useful? 

It seems like a lot of psychiatric labels may have several different mechanisms and causes which are not well understood at this point, so treatment can often seen like trying this and then trying that... 

My counsellor says : you do whatever it takes to stay sane. 

[NikNik]

Welcome @isabella !

Thanks for dropping by, saying hi & sharing your story. I think the "Who am I?" question is something a lot of us deal with. There's a great discussion here about labels and diagnosis. I'm not sure if it's something you relate to?

Tonight is Topic Tuesday. From 6pm - 8pm AESDT we will have a psychologist & mindfulness expert joining us to answer questions and give practical tips about mindfulness.

You can join the discussion here

Hope to see you there 🙂

Nik

[Alessandra1992]

The big difference Isabella is ADHD would be treated with different medications than Bipolar. And sometimes you can have multiple diagnoses as @chemonro stated.
I think it is just important to find out how having ADHD may change your therapeutic relationship with whoever you choose to work with.
ADHD can be managed without medication, and there are some great books available on ADHD. Check what your local library has..take care..

[Puggle]

Hello and welcome 🙂 I've started telling people I'm normal, for a given value of normal lol. I got my bipolar/PTSD/depression/anxiety/panic diagnosis a couple of weeks ago. I was shocked after 40+ years of struggling to fit in, but while I thought it marginalised me it felt so right to finally know. And I've found it's opened my eyes to the kindness and empathy of so many others. You're not alone 🙂

[kristin]

Hi @isabella 

I hope you are well.

Welcome (very tardily on my part!) to the forum! Thanks for your up-front honesty & courage to share.

I can really relate to your bewilderment about multiple diagnoses. My current one is bipolar type1/C-PTSD. That makes 6 I've had in the last 35 years. I carried a general diagnosis of Depresion for most of that time. ADHD was the first shift from that (about 12yrs ago). PTSD, bipolar & then C-PTSD all in last 5 years.

It's great that you feel they fit. If a diagnosis is helpful in understanding yourself & your struggles then I think it is at least somewhat right. Especially if it gives more helpful handles for journeying towards wellness. That's how I feel about them anyway.

Take care!

Kind regards, 

Kristin

[Rick]

Hi Isabella

Guess what?

no matter the diagnosis 

YOU ARE ISABELLA.

It is very nice to meet you. 

I am Rick.

no matter my diagnosis 

I AM RICK

Hope endures

Rick

[chemonro]

Yay! I am Fran, Fran I am, I like to eat green eggs and spam! 

[Alessandra1992]

Yuck..spam..no no no fran I am I will not can not eat green eggs and SPAM...

[isabella]

Hi all!

Apologies for my tardy response ... I got overwhelmed by living and had a lot to do ... the last on the list was socialising. 🙂

I get that a diagnosis can be defining and limiting in many contexts .... but I have found it extremely helpful to understand and identify my actions, reasons for them and other 'stuff'..... oh ... I am anxious and snappy because of this ..... x,y,z .... how can I manage this issue before it gets out of control???

My meds screwed me up royally ... I think ... long story with short outcome - immediate withdrawal from all meds early Dec and I am off everything ... and feeling brighter, happier and better ... not tired and fuzzy ... but there is so much that I was struggling with last year that it is hard to know if the 'drugs don't work ...' (thanks The Verve!!!)

So ... I am going to try to keep in touch as I think it is important to keep talking to others. ....

So once again - thank you everyone for chipping in to the convo!!!

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