Questions from a newb...

Can I just call you KaK?
If you can afford it I would go to a psychiatric doctor preferably who has a PHD. They can ask certain questions, Have you comeplete a few tasks and tests and usually diagnose you right away. They can also presribe medicine or therapy or both. An example. I had been going to the VA for bipolar for 2 years. My doctor was on vacation and I saw a private shrink as I described. He had me diagnosed in 15 minutes and now has me on medication that works wonders. I did cost for 2 visits at $250 each and was well worth it.



It's not what happens that is a problem. It is how we react to it that is..... My counselor.

Hi Kimberly,

Welcome to HW! So glad you found us here -- it's a great place for support and advice.

The most important thing right now, as you realise, is to get that evaluation and know whether what you're dealing with is bipolar (and what type) so that you can get prescribed something to help you. I'm not sure where you're based, and different places have different systems. For example, I'm in the UK and you have to get referred to a pdoc through a general doc. But in the USA you can find a pdoc and book yourself in. If you're 18, you could do this yourself, I think? (Or do you have to be older where you are?) If your mum's depressed it may be hard for her to do this for you. As Rybird said, you want to find a pdoc with good qualifications (in psychiatry so that he/she can prescribe meds) and preferably someone with a history of working with bipolar patients. You can ring around and ask places about this -- much better to know this stuff up front (and easier to find it out in the "prospective patient" capacity that when you're sitting in the pdoc's office, when you may feel uneasy raising questions about their qualifications!).

Do remember that, though your pdoc may see you first in one of your lows, the evaluation process will uncover information about your highs too -- so don't feel that you're only giving half the picture: you will always be seen in one or other mode (or sometimes in an inbetween or normal one) and the process is designed to allow for that.

about your friends... I think you need people around you, though I know that having that feeling of "I should go away because I'm no good to be around" is common and easy to give in to. You could probably do with explaining to a couple of close frineds and your girlfriend what you are going through -- and also what you hope they can help with (like hugs rather than "help", which you know you have to get professionally). You'll probably be surprised at how willing your friends are to be there for you -- not to mention how relieved they are to kow what's up and to be given an insight into what they can do to make things easier for you.

Keep posting here Kimberly hun, and let us know how you get on.

Best,
Rosie x

Hi Kimberly,

Good for you -- these are all really positive steps!!!

Ok, now for what you need to ask when you all about pdocs. Call a few, to begin with -- you'll get through to secretaries most likely, which will make asking questions that much easier (and you can also tell them that a friend told you to ask these questions if that helps take the pressure off!). What you want to know is are they psychiatrists (rather than psychologists, who can't prescribe meds); how long have they been practising; when and where did they qualify; do they have a history of dealing with patients with mood disorders; do they have experience of dealing with patients with bipolar; what is the approximate age range of their patients; how long would you have to wait for an appointment. The secretary may not be able to answer *all* of these questions, but you should get a fairly good idea from this as to whether or not this pdoc would be suitable. Also, if there are questions left unanswered that you want to know, ask the person to call you back with this info. You have a *right* to know this stuff: you'd be paying for this person to treat you and therefore you want to know that they are the best person for the job. When you've got all the info from each place, say thank you, that you are very pleased to have this info and that you will call them back once you've talked to a couple of other places if you decide to go ahead. Once you've spoken to all the different places, decide which you think will work best for you and call them back to book an appointment.

Hopefully this will mean that the majority of your questions are answered before you arrive for your first appointment, so that the pdoc can use all the time then (which you pay for!) to ask you questions and work on a diagnosis. Oh, and don't throw the details of other places away either. -- Should the worst happen and the first choice pdoc not work out for you, you will have a head start in finding another one (should be less likely to happen if you have all this info up front, but worth being on the safe side!).

Now, about your friends... Do you *want* to tell them you're not feeling good and just don't know how to do it? Chances are that they actually spotted something's up, and are just confused as to what it is! You might try writing a note or two to a could of them that says a little bit about what's been going on (only what you're comfortable having them know), and stresses that you really are trying to get help with this and that you don't want to lose their friendship. I'm a great one for writing notes when I don't know how to broach a subject and think I'll get all twisted up trying to explain. Notes you can work on and have them say exactly what you want them to say.

You are doing the right things Kimberly and should be really proud of yourself for the steps you're taking.

Rosie x

P.S. Glad you like the name! -- I chose it because I may not go about things in the traditional order, but I tend to cover all the same points somehow or other! Why did you chose yours? What does it mean? -- Is there a Japan connection?

 

   Yesterday I made an appointment for october 23rd. I didn't really like that I had to wait but thought I would be o.k.   But I had a rough night and didn't want to wait. Sooo I tried again and found another place.  I'm glad I went I have an appointment next week and I felt really comfurtable at the place.  It was relaxing not like the other place.  Plus the lady behind the desk was very nice and helped me out. So I'm happy.

   Thank you very much Rosie for all the help...I had more confidence (though still little) to call around.

   :D I forgot what I wanted to say.

  Hi Lazy,

 I'll definatly do that.  That's really good advice.  I even forgot why I was there when I was signing in...I never can really remember the bad things. - _ -` I sorta just zone out. 

 Thank you so much!!!!!!

P.s. Very unique way of putting counterclockwise it makes since. ^ - ^

Yup a japanese theme name. Kimiko is my nickname from one of my friends that stuck...it also means noble child. Then I chosed haruka because it means far off. I look far off into the future as a noble child but at times get lost to the present. ------> The theme was in my head but was harder to write out. ^ - ^

~kimberly

I like hearing the meaning of names too. It's amazing how or why people choose the names they do.

Thanks...I'm really good at making things have reasons, even when I'm not 100% sure about the subject.

I'm glad I found this forum, it helps seeing others have similar feelings...it makes me feel not so alone and understand more (others have a way of writing out their feelings that it makes a little more since.)

Have a good day!!!

You made me giggle, you have a great personality!
Congratulations on forum moderator....what does it mean?

I was just really tired today...hard time concentrating in class :P
I read the assigned reading twice but still couldn't remember what I read...so frustrating, so the teacher is thinking about a pop quiz on the reading because no one really knew what the answers were. augh I'll try harder to remember next time.

I hope loneliness doesn't creep back in too but now I have a place to go if I ever feel cornered. Gives a since of ease to the mind.

How are you doing? Hopefully well.

~Kimberly

Hi Kimberly:  I know about the brain fog and reading and rereading paragraphs.  When I was in school the thing that helped me most was taping myself reading and/or just going through important points.  I would listen anytime I had a few minutes.  It got me through nursing school and that was a tough course.  Good luck and stay in touch..Luv...Lazy

Hi lazy (I love your name too)

I'm glad you read my posts. I wasn't sure if I should keep posting here...(when is it necessary to make a new topic? I'm knew to this forum thing.)

I'll definatly try your way too. I do have a recorder somewhere I'm sure I could find. I think it would help to hear it as well as read it. I bet nursing was a tough course, I'm happy you stuck with it and didn't give up! It's a real accomplishment to do.
~Kimberly

Hello Rosie!

I've seen a lot of post from Ellie too. She's very good and has a lot of advice and input to others.

Oh my goodness, you should of got points for not hitting the van :D I'm happy you got it the next time!
I bet theres a lot of driving stories out there similar, cause the nerves get to people (I don't know why we get so nervous). I did a bad job parrallel parking too. I had to go forward then back then forward then back then forward like out of a comedy...it seemed I did it for ever.

I like the idea of a funny thread or something to cheer people up! It's good to laugh. I'll check out the ones you mentioned.

Butterflies are a lot nicer then spiders. I love the white butterflies the most, they seem so unique. It's a good thing you got up and started to do things. I have really bad nightmares at times. :( there no fun. One was about a mean german shephard dog (that looked a little like my puppy) going after me. When I woke up, I thought the dog was in the house and so I stayed in my room. It took about four hours to calm down and relize the mean dog wasn't there.

Today mom's taking me to see Monster House, I hope it's as good as I think it is. :D
:P Another long one from ~kimberly