Bipolar Support Group

I've been Type II for ten years. On Friday, I was handed a treatment plan that changed my Axis I diagnosis to Type I and added an Axis II diagnosis of Personality Disorder NOS.

I did not react well, but I contained my panic and anger. I kept asking for details but everyone was very vague (early impressions, not enough information, etc).

That evening we had dinner with a couple, she's a therapist. She is not a fan of NOS and was very encouraging of me continuing to ask questions for the diagnostic reasons they used to make these decisions.

I'm stunned. I certainly have my share of maladaptive coping skills and behaviors, but it feels like a penalty to get an Axis II diagnosis b/c my childhood sucked. And it is hard to keep my cool and try to learn from this experience.

I'm also unclear about the Type I diagnosis. Was my November/December full blown mania? No one will tell me. Did I have psychotic features? Yes, I saw things and heard things that weren't there. But I thought that would also characterize a mixed episode which fits the Type II criteria?

I can appreciate they may not have all the facts and in their model, use NOS as a dumping ground until they figure it out, but I am disappointed that they fail to acknowledge that it can be traumatic, not necessarily therapeutic.

Anyone else have this type of experience or these combinations of diagnoses? I joined the MDJunction group for Personality Disorders to get more information.

I'm scared, but determined to keep being positive about treatment so I can conquer this and get back to a fully functional life.

Thanks!

I am confused were you BP type II first or type I? Did they say you have borderline? If you don't agree, I would change doctors. I did this because I had a doctor putting things in my file that weren't true. They should be able to explain it to you and not hand you a sheet. That's strange.

I have been Type II for the past ten years. It was just yesterday that my diagnosis was changed to Type I. My personality disorder is NOS (not otherwise specified), not borderline personality disorder. NOS is the island of misfit toys in any medical diagnosis.

I'm in a program so I can't change for 5 more weeks. I'm supposed to get another treatment plan in session 10 so we'll see what happens then. I do plan to contest any final documentation unless they convince me this diagnosis is accurate. I don't want an inappropriate label following me.

Thanks for responding!

I think labels aren't what you should look at, it's the symptoms and if they are getting treated properly. I'm sorry they are putting these on you that you think they are not right. If you feel that they aren't, I would get another doctor. Let us know what happens in session 10. we are here for you always.

Willo, I am diagnosed with an AXIS II diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. Did they recommend any type of therapy for your AXIS II diagnosis? I have been studying DBT and have found it is very helpful. I would like to hear your thoughts on why a diagnosis is traumatic. It could be the way you are perceiving the diagnosis which could be a cognitive distortion. Also want to mention you may want to join the Borderline group here at MdJunction, even though you are not borderline, I post weekly DBT lessons that you might find helpful. I wish you the best.

Hi April,

I think the trauma was partially due to the way it was handled by the IOP team. Handing me a piece of paper with significant information and no conversation, no information, no explanation was frustrating at best. When I sought more information, I was told to just wait and see which was not respectful. The resident pdoc implied the diagnosis may have been historical which concerned me as none of my previous treatment providers had ever indicated this diagnosis. I don't like being in the dark.

I agree it could be a cognitive distortion which is why I need information. I do have a negative perception of the diagnosis and this isn't helping. I joined the Personality Disorders group, but haven't had much of a response yet.

I appreciate the offer, but I don't think I can take on one more weekly/daily thing. I feel like I'm making up my own treatment and not in the driver's seat in my program which is frustrating.

I do not want this diagnosis, partially because it scares me and partially because I already have enough on my plate and would not want ANY other diagnosis.

It depends on the day and the doctor as to what you have and what you tell the doctor I have found. I have been diagnosed with everything in the book. My diagnosis has changed from Bipolar I to II four times. I would get a second opinion.