[Ann]

I don't often post here, in fact I know very little of mental health issues (said by a codie who was completely nuts before I found recovery)...but I was moved by your post, Barb, and felt a need to say this.

I work at a recovery house, where our residents are mostly long term addicts who have been in and out of recovery (mostly out) for many years, sometimes decades. It's a long term program that addresses many issues, personalized for each resident according to their needs and health.

One thing that bothers me and other staff more knowledgeable than myself, is how quick some doctors are to diagnose and medicate without doing a complete analysis of physical health before considering what may be mental health issues. This is often done on people relatively new to recovery and who have not had a chance to stabilize in a sober environment first and regain some of the physical health that was lost or damaged over many years, sometimes caused by drug addiction and sometimes just through neglect of their health because of their lifestyle and lack of money and treatment on a regular basis.

I'm glad you insisted on further tests and consideration before accepting a diagnosis of bi-polar. I'm glad what they have found so far is treatable and that they are looking further for what may need attention as well.

That is not to say that in many cases mental health issues are present and need to be addressed. What I am saying is that a thorough health check needs to be done before coming to a conclusion that may or may not be accurate.

The quick fix, "diagnose and medicate" is rarely the answer if a complete physical examination is not included and studies with consideration given to the lifestyle that has caused problems and taking time to assess any changes for the better that may occur on their own or through treatment of physical health first.

My point here is that we know our bodies better than anyone else, we usually know when something is wrong and it's good to trust our instincts and insist on a complete set of tests first before accepting a diagnosis that may be made with only a couple of hours of consultation.

Good for you, stand up for yourself and your needs. Communicate your concerns and don't be intimidated by doctors who may seem "stuck" in their specialty and come to a conclusion far too quickly.

Hugs and Good Luck on the rest of your tests.