Wanting to see psych for poss bipolar.

[DiamondDoris]

How can I get my doctor to refer me to a psychiatrist? Today I have an appointment with my doctor (again) for mood swings. Yesterday, I ranged from euphorically happy, to rage to deep despair with suicidal thoughts all in the space of half an hour. I've proposed bipolar to the docs before but all they do is prescribe antidepressants, which I'm happy to take in conjunction with mood stabilizers if I'm bipolar. My identical twin is bipolar 1 and is sure I have it too. Are doctors restrained by some sort of policy to just offer anti-ds and cbt? I'm despairing.

[Upwardandonward]

Rather than proposing a diagnosis, what has happened when you've described your symptoms/asked for help with them? There are various diagnoses that could cause these symptoms.

[DiamondDoris]

Nothing has happened in the past. Anyway, I went to the doc and I'm now being referred to a psych - so that's a start. Yes, there could be various diagnoses.

[NanaNina]

I think upward&onward is right. The best thing to do is to let your GP know what your symptoms are, without you "second guessing" what sort of illness you have. You don't give any background - how long have you been feeling this way. Do the ADs have any beneficial effect. I must admit that if your identical twin has been diagnosed with bipolar it does look very suspicious, in the sense that you appear to have some of the symptons. Could it be that you "feel" you have the same symptoms as your twin (in the way that sometimes twins can know what the other one is thinking) Sorry don't mean to sound like you are imagining it.

GPs are not restrainded from just offering ADs abd CBT, but if they are concerned that you have a serious mental illness, they should refer you to a psychiatrist for diagnosis and treatment. This should happen in just the same way as a GP referring a patient to an ENT specialist or gynaecologist for symptoms that are not clearing up in the expected way. GPs are "primary care" and mostly people's illnesses can be successfully treated by the a Gp, but if not, then they should refer to a specialist.

I think you should request that you are referred to a consultant psychiatrist, but you must stop diagnosing yourself, as this is not helpful. If he/she refuses you can write to the Practice Manager or Senior Partner and make a complaint. Would it be helpful to see a different GP who might be more willing to refer you.

[DiamondDoris]

I have been this way all my adult life, thinking it was just my personality. Phases of happiness and phases of deep depression. Until a year or two a go I would have laughed at the proposal of bipolar, it was my twin who mentioned it. It's not just my moods which are effected but my energy levels and concentration and focus too, so, I would like someone somewhere to tell me why. Once I know then I can deal with how I live the rest of my life.