How To Question Your Doctor's Diagnosis
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- čas přidán 13. 07. 2024
- It’s no secret that people get information from the Internet. So you don’t need to tiptoe around this issue. But of course, you don’t want to say I think you got the diagnosis wrong. No one wants to start a conversation feeling criticized. The issue with your doctor or therapist is not that you read about a diagnosis, the issue is how you convey the information to your doctor. In this video I discuss how you can do this.
Go here to download the symptom worksheet markspsychiatry.com/how-to-que...
Medication History Template
Current Symptoms started 3 months ago
List the things you feel are not right about you
Or List symptoms that correlate to something you read about
Time Factors
List how long the above symptoms last, you don’t have to be exact, it can be minutes vs hours vs days vs months
Past Symptoms
Any of your current symptoms happen before, if so when
Example I felt most of this stuff 3 years ago and it went away after a few months.
I’ve felt this way most of my life off and on since I was a teenager
Medication History
Current medications
Past psychiatric medications and bad reactions (include when you took the medicine. Last year vs 10 years ago?)
Want to know more about mental health and self-improvement? On this channel I discuss topics such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, attention deficit disorder (ADHD), relationships and personal development/self-improvement. If you don’t want to miss a video, click here to subscribe. goo.gl/DFfT33
Disclaimer: All of the information on this channel is for educational purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, perhaps these videos can help prepare you for your discussion with your doctor.
Pro tip: If the “professional” spends five minutes “examining” a new patient, before prescribing them 4 new medications and sending them on their way, it’s probably a good idea to be skeptical regarding this “professional’s” clinical judgment.
I do not have experience with such ignorance from mental health "professionals" or other kinds of doctors, but I've heard of it so many times. I don't understand the doctors' sheer lack of curiosity.
I was diagnosed bipolar and put on lithium after 30 mins with my psychiatrist for the first time.. four years later I wonder if I was misdiagnosed
omg this just happened to me yesterday! I don't know if Im in the right track... My Psychiatrist seems good. I was just wondering why would he gave me medicine if I'm not diagnose yet?
Yup! What a fucking joke!
this is exactly what happened omg tf, it didn't even take 5 mins she started writing medications after like 2 mins while i was still talking and didn't even finish telling my basic problem , i went to her for 4 months and there's a bit progress but everyone around me felt like it's taking too long for me to recover, but she's taking a month leave so I'm forced to change somewhere else, I'll see how this one goes😭
I know I'm autistic and two of my autistic nephew's therapists who are complete specialists told me I'm autistic. I went to a psychiatrist and told him I think I'm autistic and he said I had OCD just because I was doing research about the symptoms and that is being obsessed. You are the only psychiatrist I've ever met that is human.
But... Hyperfixations are an autistic sign as well?? Bet he didn't know too much about autism...
I guess this would come back to her point about using terminologies rather than describing your symptoms.. hope you do get a proper diagnosis eventually..
I wonder how it came to pass that your nephew's specialists gave you a "diagnosis" like that. In my experience, medical professionals, not unlike IT people, shy away from giving opinions they could be held accountable for without having had a real close look.
Tends to bring nothing but headache.
My sister in law is a psychologist and when my wife and I went onto the journey of getting diagnosed, we would talk to her but she seemed careful to not make any statement outright denying or affirming anything we said.
@nostalgxcvvitch Ohh, so special interests=joy, obsessions=distress?
I didn't know that, I "only" have an autism diagnosis. Thanks for educating me!
My partner has ocd. Has only phone appointments with doctors monthly. I am sure he is autistic and can see the same in all the males in his family.
Thank you! Finally a psychiatrist that teaches you how to manage expectations and how to best communicate with your doctor.
Yesssssss
I wish you were my doctor lol, it’s hard navigating through a lot of not so enthusiastic doctors that don’t even listen to you and only give you 5 minutes and sit up on some pedestal. Saying anything like what’s in this video is one of the most trying and intimidating things ever in a meeting with a psychiatrist..to question them..some of them are so authoritarian and arrogant and close minded. There are SO many doctors (really psychiatrist like this) just handing out pills not even really taking the time to get to know you or really understand the minutia of what’s going on with you. It feels like you’re falling through the cracks dealing with these doctors. Great video 👍🏻
I TOTALLY agree. Most psychiatrists are that way, and do more harm than good. It's a disgrace!
I don’t doubt that’s what you’ve experienced. It’s really a shame. that’s certainly not how it’s supposed to be. Part of treatment is education.
Been There Many times but luckily I have a wonderful psychiatrist now! and My MD for years is great
Max she’s very knowledgeable.
Well, if the patient disagrees, the professional can respond by alleging that the patient (undoubtedly) has “poor insight and judgment” - because “doctor always knows best”, even if the doctor can’t be bothered to spend more than two minutes with the patient. And if the “professional” wants to be extra nasty, they can write that the patient is “paranoid” about treatment in the patient’s chart, when the patient brings up a perfectly legitimate concern - say about significant side effects. Problem solved. ;)
If the patient decides to bring a friend or family member to their appointment, the “professional” can procede on giving a master class on how to be a dismissive, condescending jerk who can’t be bothered to listen, and who shows the door to anyone who dares to impose themselves upon his precious time.
Of course, if the patient decides that they want to file a complaint against the professional - or even pursue civil litigation for spectacular incompetence - well, the “professional” can always claim that they were acting within the “standards of care”, and that the patient’s “mental illness” is making them upset with the “care” delivered.
From Saudi Arabia, you're the greatest doctor I ever seen.
Aww that makes me feel really good. Thank you 🤗
From Lebanon!
انت وش فيك؟
This video is very helpful. To challenge a psychiatrist on a diagnosis, is terrifying to most of us, hell, to challenge any doctor. Also, to put in words what goes on in our heads, it's damn difficult. Listing thoughts and feelings is new to me, but it's helping.
One approach could be to ask from a position of wanting the doctor to explain your diagnosis so that you can understand it. That’s a reasonable ask. And that’s different from challenging The doctor as if he/she doesn’t know what they’re talking about. You put yourself in a position of being the one who needs help understanding your diagnosis and why it’s not a different diagnosis.
Very helpful. I would never have thought of this question.
Thing is, by the time the appointment arrives, you've forgotten some other symptoms. Then you're on medication and it's missing symptoms and you remember after the appointment. You look illnesses up and you find something that nails it. So it's not just the doctor misdiagnosed but also that information was incomplete from my end.
Thank you for this.
Sometimes when you have lots of different or conflicting symptoms (like in cases of mixed mania for example) it's even more difficult to get across to your psychiatrist everything they need to know.
This is so true. I often find, due to waiting times in the UK, that the doctor refers me to the mental health services when I am in a state of near crisis, and by the time the appointment comes around, my mood has flipped back and I feel like I am wasting their time, but I know I wont get a chance to see a specialist again for months and months by which time anything could have happened.
Yea and expectally since I have memory problems and I can be easily influenced by people regardless if it’s positive or negative, for example a video that talks about something that is likely to have but Idk cuz I haven’t been able to get diagnosed cuz it’s hard to talk about, and a video said people with it fake it, it got me thinking that I’m faking it even though it actually happened and it turns out that it’s false anyway, plus I’m pretty sure that the only reason someone would fake a mental or physical illness would ive seen if it’s to not go to jail and for example could maybe be used in custody by claiming another parent is ill because if a parent is too ill then the other parent would get custody, it’s just something that came into my mind randomly
It is disgusting that any patient has to walk on eggshells to get a misdiagnosis corrected or discussed 😊
Dr. Marks please do a video on intrusive and or unwanted thoughts. I'm pretty sure a lot of your subscribers would love to see a video like this. I have been dealing with this.
Yes I've gotten a few requests for this topic. I'll see what I can put together. Thanks for the suggestion
This is definitely a needed topic. I am a medically retired police officer and I had lots of problems with this. I would be feeling great at the start of my shift and then my mind would start turning to dark thoughts and eventually it was a bell curve to where I had to have the commander move me to night shift so I could have a partner to keep my mind focused which helped greatly. But I still was forced to retire after seeing the work psychiatrist. Thank you for your videos. They are great for us as well as our families so they can better understand what we are going through.
i had a severe episode of this 2 years ago, i had no idea what was happening to me.
@@dotunn you are not alone. I have been seeing a therapist and they have gotten a lot better. It's anxiety related at least for me. Keep the faith that things will get better. At the time I had no idea either and it was really scary. It was two years ago for me as well.
@@missfameturner9075 yes it was the same for me, i was in a job that i was struggling to cope with, and when you have no support fear, anxiety and panic kicked in. Almost had an accident in my car driving home because i was so stressed. Then the random thoughts started haunting me, i googled for days what it was until i found 2 psychologists or so youtube. It was hard to google as well cause i had no idea what it was called or how to describe it.
Amén!!! I feel so bad for my client when they tell me about their past experience when they question their doctor's and therapist. I am a big advocate in psycho-education and I am always open to any question and I encourage my client to ask questions
Great video. I'm sure this will save some people a lot of time and frustration.
However, I find it very alarming that for non-trivial diagnoses, the patient needs to become an expert in communicating with doctors to get a positive outcome, and the doctors rarely do anything to help the patient learn this skill.
Yes, communication is a huge challenge for me. Meeting with a new Dr is very intimating and anxiety producing. And anxiety is not even my major issue.
Drs get mad when u tell them that u read in the Internet this and that..
It's because their ego and pride gets hurt that you might be educated about something
I believe that. But I do think it matters more how you use the information. It’s frustrating when someone is convinced they have a diagnosis and the information they give you about their symptoms is skewed toward what they think they have. So you’re not always getting an accurate picture of what’s going on.
I have found it helpful to discuss symptoms, and than pitch what you think it is like the doctor does.. like a differential. List 2 or 3 things in list you think is most possible.. with factual reasons for each (more the higher in the list) .. and than at the end get their opinion. Lots of time the effort to open the communication is at least reciprocated by explaining why those areas are not values in relation to information they may have or insights they have you just simply do not due to experience.. but I find the willingness to engage and get involved at least makes some doctors more apt to discuss things as they feel more like a team player working with you in that scenario, instead of someone being scolded for a misdiagnosis or being directed to the issues like their unneeded. Hope this helps anyone looking to be heard who is struggling. It has for me! 💕
it depends how you ask. listen to the video.
I always predicate the revelation that I’ve done tons of research with a presentation of my graduate degree to support the fact that I know how to research, too, that I’m extremely well-versed in the use of language, the importance of mastery and understanding of the terminology. For years, I’ve been severely restricted by my inability to accurately describe the symptoms of CPTSD because I didn’t know it existed and my doctors didn’t bother to put all of my symptoms into one basket, but treating for Major Depressive Disorder, ADHD, and debilitating Anxiety brought on by unidentifiable triggers. It took me almost two years of therapy, one hospitalization, and a multitude of medications/combinations just to get to CPTSD. My psychiatrist listened, took my diagnosis and adjusted my meds once again. My therapist, who never exactly provided a diagnosis, but had a lot of the background information that could easily have revealed my disorder. In fact, it was while compiling a sort of timeline for the multiple “crashes” I’ve suffered over more than 40 years, the increase in frequency, duration, and intensity that eventually hospitalized me and scared me into finding my own diagnosis. I had a couple of cousins who succumbed to suicide and I knew the pain of the aftermath. So, when my condition got that bad, I knew I needed to reach out, to tether myself to people and caregivers or I wouldn’t survive. What’s been almost crushingly difficult is the need to communicate the nature and severity of my symptoms to my psychiatrist who mis- or under-diagnosed, my therapist who refuses diagnosis and notes, and an insurance company whose sole purpose is to find a way to deny my claim. Triggered at every stage, left essentially untreated waiting for insurance to pay, while insurance demands either proof of diagnosis in the form of clinical notes from my therapist (an impossibility) or diagnosis from my psychiatrist (which are only symptoms and not a holistic, inclusive consideration of the causes and effects of my disorder). Therapist won’t discuss my condition with anyone but me, psychiatrist, same, and insurance won’t a) take my word for it or b) allow for the fact that my condition has progressed to the point of serious distress and that talking about it, especially with people I don’t know, is triggering. Once triggered, I’m HOURS to reregulation. The experience is painful and terrifying - like suddenly finding myself on a very narrow ledge atop a skyscraper with nothing to hold onto in gusting winds - so the mere thought of talking about it sends me down a dark hole. I can’t think, I can’t speak in coherent sentences, I can’t organize my thoughts into any kind of logical order, but they insist I complete a diagnostic survey with a company nurse because, I suppose, if you don’t take a test, the diagnosis cannot be confirmed. Which is patently absurd. Multiple episodes throughout my life, growing in frequency and intensity despite treatment for depression and ADHD going back over 20 years, no underlying physical conditions, but years of neglect by a single mother who likely suffered her own undiagnosed mental illness, topped by abandonment by her at age 14, an ACEs score of 8, run-ins with drugs, alcohol, sexual promiscuity, relationship problems, distancing, dysregulation, dissociation and isolation. Loss of interest in everything because ANYTHING is a potential reminder of my worthlessness, my failure as a human, a husband, a father, and a… fill in your own position here - won’t matter what it is, I’ll fail.
Pills make me stable enough to resist going over the edge, but they do nothing for the pain of abandonment, the loss of trust in everything and everyone, and the abject terror of the shame of judgment and guilt of ineptitude I feel. So, while the insurance company drags out their continual reevaluation, demanding this or that form, this or that record, rejecting everything I submit as inadequate, inconclusive, the wrong form, I drift closer and closer to the certainty that I do not deserve help and that any attempt to do so would only affirm the truth: that I am beyond help. It’s pointless. I can’t do it myself and nobody thinks I either need or deserve help. I just want to live for a while without the default stress and anxiety I’ve carried my whole life and which now has become simply unbearable.
I was first diagnosed with anxiety and major mood disorder. Then ADHD was added. recently I got diagnosed with bipolar, after people told me for YEARS it wasn't bipolar and to stop being a hypochondriac and to stop trying to diagnose myself. I think I'm autistic and I even wrote several notebook pages full of reasons why. My therapist, parents and psychiatrist all dismissed those concerns.
So my therapist told me bipolar and some mental illness are basically how some trauma presents itself. I’m definitely getting re evaluated
I have come across your channel only recently and its helped so much! Your welcoming but still professional way of speaking about these problems in your videos has helped so much with understanding and listening attentively. Anybody would be lucky to have a psychiatrist like you to talk to!
I was seeing an nurse at the mental health unit at the hospital I work at because of the lost of my parents and the divorce which was happening at the same time. After talking to her she gave me some meds and some appointments. After I started feeling better I mentioned that I was reading about emotional deregulation and going over history with my sister who’s a counselor and through maybe I was ADHD. To make a long story short she didn’t listen to me brought up her faith in god and say I should be working on my grief. I felted disrespected and cancelled my appointments with her and tried to make an appointment with someone else at the clinic but now some reason there were no more appointment or I need to meet this nurse again to make appointment with someone else. I complained to our risk management person but she wanted to use name in the complaint. So I was done there. I did find someone else and I’m off antidepressants that didn’t work and I’m on ADHD meds that do work and I’m doing so much better!
That's sounds so frustrating! I'm glad it ended well for you 😊
So thankful you found a path through!!!!
Excellent video Dr. Marks. Thank you. This video is very helpful. You're our best doctor on the Internet. We love you 😃🇳🇱
Aww thank you SO much!!! 🤗
These videos are very helpful and I have learned so much from the role I play with my health. I use to just expect a quick fix from the doctors but know it's a collaborative process that has been most rewarding. Thanks.
I used your advice in this video at my appointment yesterday. Thank you SO much after being seen by mental health practitioners for almost FIVE friggin years... I felt heard and seen. We're now trailing meds for what I originally suspected I have, undiagnosed ADHD and more recently possibly bipolar II. You're doing a GREAT thing for those of us that can't come to Atlanta to see you Dr Tracey!
It’s funny their name is “sassy fancy” yet feeling shy and polite 😂
Dr. Marks: Thank you for the template- Learning how to effectively self advocate is crucial for making the most of our medical care.
This video is the best explanation I’ve heard about how to speak to a doctor . I now understand what my doctor needs to hear & in the format that they need it presented. This applies to any type of doctor or medical specialist. Thank you so very much for this explanatory video.
I had an orthopedic surgeon just rage at me for inquiring about surgery on my wrist. I will never forget it.
You've done everything right then. 😂 Always get second or third opinion before agreeing to surgery or treatments to not become a cash cow for the medical system. And a doctor raging about questions is always a red flag.
This is fantastic, I've struggled in the past going over my symptoms and found that as a result, I've ended up with an incorrect diagnosis. This will help me communicate better with my doctor...THANK YOU x
Thank you for this video. The symptoms, as well as episodes, vary from person to person so it is important to be our own mental health advocate. I really appreciate the “dialogue” suggestions
Wow, great video! I’m so grateful to have found your channel!
Hi Dr. Marks, thank you so much for giving us people who are struggling, with so many informative videos. I recently started seeing a new psychiatrist because I have moved provinces (I am Canadian). She has assessed me once now, and believes I probably have BPD and possibly have Bipolar 2. I was seeing a psychiatrist in the past for years but was not very compliant with treatments and was not always forthcoming with my symptoms/experiences back then, because of stigmas and fears of being put on medications with bad side effects (which I have experienced). Anyways, the old psychiatrist had said I have a ‘mood disorder’ based on the info I gave her, but that is all I know of my previous diagnosis. Current circumstances and recent events have changed my outlook and I am now (finally) seeing the need to get the mental health support that I really need. I have been trying to keep a mood journal. One thing I have noticed is that I get these anxiety/panic attacks at certain times. Before I used to drink alcohol to subside the symptoms but I am also abstaining from alcohol now. My question is, is it possible to experience panic or anxiety before swinging into a manic or depressive episode?
I was in this situation 3 years ago and I wish things had gone so much better than they did. Watching this video makes me feel better in knowing I'm not the only one in situations like this. Looking back, I definitely knew which meds I used to take VS now. I also had a clear idea of symptoms I had that I didn't feel matched their diagnosis. If I'd had more things on paper like this and given more detail or history of the past VS now then maybe things could have gone better. The whole process felt pretty rushed and I guess I'll never know if it had changed anything since I felt pretty shooed away despite my concerns. However, I'm so thankful to have found this video to give me tips on how to deal with this in the future if it ever comes up again.
Thank you so much for this video. I feel like I needed this for years and finally found it. I really enjoy how creatively your videos are presented as well as how much helpful knowledge and insight is in them. I've had difficulty seeing professionals about this stuff throughout my life and these videos make me feel more comfortable to talk and feel more understood.
After bringing up several passed symptoms with my therapist she thinks I might be bipolar. I never really explained myself throughly seeing my doctor, so she diagnosed me with just chronic depression. I think that is wrong. This video was very helpful, I will follow your advice when I see my Dr soon. Thank you.
So good. The summary was perfect. Thank you for the template.
Thank you for this video. You're my favorite mental health CZcamsr.
At age 13 I was diagnosed (I think wrongly) with aspergers syndrome, and honestly it's been a pain in the ass, when I was first starting my studies I was turned away from two jobs I wanted because they couldn't verify whether my diagnosis would be a problem.
So I went through this whole rigmarole of trying to get my diagnosis retracted, a diagnosis, where I barely share any symptoms. After years of that I got a little consolation prize by it being amended to "highly functional".
Mind you that hardly helps me now.
I've a decent job and such, now a days I just want it detracted because I hate being "put in a box", told what I can and can't be etc.
No, I am not obsessive over it, I'll probably go through the process again if it becomes relevant.
Thanks for the great video. This is an excellent template for questioning someone about many things with which one disagrees. It's good to express respect and affirmation of another person's opinion because it validates them.
Thanks a lot Joe. 😊
Great advice for talking to any subject matter expert trying to help you figure something out.
@ThomasReedy hell yeah! Electricians, plumbers, mechanics, everything!
This is a seriously helpful video. Thank you.
As always, thank you Dr. Marks. You know since your videos are more than 10 minutes ling you may want to allow a couple more ads. Than the more like you get you can easily make 6 or 7 figures on a video. Once again you're awesome!
Thanks so much Aragoncharm. I have not experimented with mid roll ads. That’s a good thought. I don’t know if it would be annoying though. I do have a plan for creating some products. I plan to start with a calendar with motivational images and maybe some daily tips of some sort. I have a coffee table book in my office that I get a lot of compliments on but it’s too expensive to purchase so I plan to convert it to a calendar. You’re The first to hear this by the way. 😊 I just have to block out some time to create it. But stay tuned.
@@DrTraceyMarks I think having mid-video ads would be horrible. Your vids are too important to interrupt.
I think it's important for Dr Marks to earn revenue from these vids as personally speaking, I find them incredibly valuable, but I think mid-roll ads would hurt their effectiveness, lots of us have concentration problems so any interruption would be annoying and they do tend to pitch up the sound levels too which makes you jump.
Wow thank you so much, you're just really really good at explaining things in an easy way and straight to the point. You're a blessing! :) Love from Indonesia.
Thank you, Dr Marks! This is so helpful!
I just love you. You make things easier to understand.
i wish i would have seen this BEFORE my eval. i got dx'd with bipolar yesterday and I was honestly shocked and still am. I like this explanation and guide. I will write down my symptoms using that template next time since I did practically run out of there 20 minutes early after saying I will need a second opinion or another visit with them to be sure... i got halfway home and realized that I had probably wasted the dr's time and my own not being prepared whatsoever, figuring that yes, you would answer some questions and they will tell YOU your problem... no, you need to give them specific, direct examples of your issues. this makes a LOT of sense.
This is very helpful. Thanks, Dr. Marks!
You’re welcome
...i really wish this was taught in schools. I had no clue that's what was meant by 'writing down symptoms. '
Can't even remember where I heard that, but it what notes I did take were terrible. I do struggle with identifying symptoms until they get really bad, so I certainly haven't been making her job easy.
I can't thank you enough for making this video! It certainly clears up a lot of the miscommunication issues between me and past doctors as well.
This is pretty much the exact thing I did last year and it works!
Diagnoses: At age 14 depression, at age 18 bipolar type 2 and at age 24 bipolar type 2 and ADHD. The reason it took 10 years is simple enough: I didn't communicate everything that was wrong (because of shame) so my doctors/therapists couldn't diagnose me correctly.
Mentally going through everything that has happened/is happening and writing down all issues is what allowed both me and them to get the right diagnosis.
Remember, you want to be treated for the issues you have, not for whatever falls under som label. Make sure your doctor/therapist/psychologist knows about all your issues so that you can get the treatment that works best for you specifically.
I watch and love all ur videos. I look at so much y tube on mental health and so many people preach no medicine. I have quit my medicines a couple of times and ended up in the ER. I feel like a loser for taking them but if I stop no matter how much breathing and meditation or natural tea I drink my anxiety and panic attacks are thru the roof! I ve tried so many antidepressants and anti anxiety medication. Start new ones a month ago, I feel good for a few days or weeks then it’s starts all over again. You help me so much but I m so miserable and so on edge. I feel so lost, but I thank u so much for ur videos 😊
Thanks for saying how if we think we have a mental problem that ontop of writing it down that we should also use examples, that was really helpful
I love your channel and appreciate your wisdom in the need. I began a journey of self discovery and healing about two years ago after an attack in my home. The assault triggered a rape that occurred at the age of 5. At first the trauma was so great that I had forgotten and I questioned my sanity until pieces came together for me. These memories are easily triggered, the physical appearance of me during these memories resemble tics hence my diagnosis of Tourette’s. I said, but no one recalls me doing this prior to ...he (the neurologist) explained Tourette’s could have been dormant. I’ve not run across any literature on Tourette’s lying dormant. Have you?
I believe i have Asperger with memory defect of short term. It’s never been a secret that I can forget to eat. Up until recently forgetting to eat was like a little joke until it wasn’t. Along with the other characteristics of Asperger.
My eldest daughter was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and ptsd she is in her 30’s. My youngest, has depression but I see myself in her now.
I’m desperately trying to heal myself to help my daughters, so you are appreciated!
I agree with this. I never thought to make a list of symptoms and medication I've taken over the years. Thanks.
This video is really helpful. I'm not good with wording things and didn't know that saying that would make someone feel criticized. I think I have a little more courage to ask about being re-diagnosed.
Very informative, doctor. Thanks so much!
Wow! Thank you so much! Should be titled: “Do This Anyway Whenever You Go to See a Mental Health Doctor.”
You’re welcome Yopu. I like that title!
Or any doctor :)
I have made summaries and lists of symptoms, timeliness and medications past and present with those timelines and interactions with great success. The three doctors I did this with put the provided information on file and I sensed the appointments were much more efficient with a clearer direction / result.
What prompted me to do it was I tend to forget things when I'm at the appointment because I get nervous so thinking about it the day or even wee before and writing it down on a simple bullet list one-pager gave me something to refer back to. I also didn't want new doctors waste time trying something I have already done.
I highly recommend the approach Dr. Marks is suggesting. And as I mentioned the three doctors I've done with were sincerely appreciative.
I really appreciate this! Because I was able to get off all bipolar meds for 5 years after 15 years on them, I be thought it might be more accurate that it was autism and PTSD. Now I'm not doing well and I reached out to my psychiatrist and the PDF will help the appointment go more smoothly- many meds were tried and I never had more than 50% improvement. Your videos made me realize that I was in a hypomanic state and that I better change my sleep habits right away. I slept better last night and I am looking forward to being better prepared for my appointment. I'm also glad that I had established care with him when I was doing better so that I am less anxious about this appointment.
Thanks so much for helping me be prepared and for educating us. In the past, I would joke about waiting 4 hours in line at the McShrink Drive Thru. Where I used to live, there were very few psychiatrists and it was typical to wait for 4 hours and get a very short time with the Dr. There wasn't time for education! You fill a vast need for knowledge. Thanks 😊
This is a great video. I've got an important assessment coming up and I'm currently trying write up my notes! Thankyou! This is so helpful!!
You’re welcome. Good luck with your assessment.
Thank you, Dr. Marks. I love your videos. They are a true life saver. I wish you were my doctor. My doctor only does 5 minute sessions. I tried a more chaotic list once. So this is very helpful, thank you! Maybe you could write a book in the future with all your lovely advice. Thank you so much!
Thanks so much Mel. I was actually talking with someone about that the other day. About turning the information from this channel into a workbook.
@@DrTraceyMarks Hell yes!!!!! Please do! I would find that incredibly useful. Especially if you had a reference section, where you could reference some of the templates or concrete advice, like you gave near the end of this video.
this is an excellent video , it hit the nail on the head
Thanks a lot.
Really really great. I am so thankful
Thank you so much for this video Iv been wanting to ask my therapist if maybe I had adhd because a lot of the symptoms resonate with me I juat didn't know how to not be rude about it but forming the question like this is brilliant
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
This is me...Thanks Dr.Marks..❤
I am Argentinian. Thank you for this great video.
Thanks Clara from Argentina. 😊
Thank you so much for taking the time to explain all this. The template in particular is very helpful. I am also taking a sleep diary to my next appointment. As a person with bipolar disorder a mood diary is also important but I find calibrating my moods to a scale so difficult, also I have other health conditions I need to keep track of sometimes I get lost in paperwork. I would be so glad if you would explore effective diaries for mental health in a future video!
Great question. I just had a conversation with someone yesterday about how Hard it is to keep up with individual pieces of paper. It’s better to have one manual with lots of different tools in it. so that’s a project I plan to work on to create. Thanks for reinforcing the need for such a thing.
In the meantime I have a bipolar packet that one along with the video I did on strategies to help bipolar-disorder. If you didn’t get the download you could get link the description. The movie diary that comes with that packet doesn’t have emojis you just have to write out your emotions czcams.com/video/awPP5YrVGyY/video.html
@@DrTraceyMarks definitely sign me up for the Dr Tracey Toolbox when it comes out! I really like the bipolar packet, by the way: I once had a workbook based on the 'Wellness and Recovery Action Plan (W.R.A.P) system, which was helpful, but it wasn't so geared towards a specific disorder. For example I found myself really needing two plans, one for when manic and one for when depressed. Anything that caters for the nuances of different conditions is good. Thanks again :)
Thanks for another excellent, insightful video. I've always been curious about the "why" of a lot of the questions psychiatric health care providers ask. Seen through the lens of anxiety or depression, some of the questions I've been asked sounded condescending or belittling. I didn't realize the doctor was trying to get at concrete examples of what my depression looked like. I thought if I said I was depressed he should take me at my word. Maybe the GP that erroneously diagnosed me with bipolar disorder didn't know how to ask questions effectively and I became angry because I thought he was insulting me. You've made it much clearer for me.
Oh excellent. I’m so glad you saw this video then. I’ll bet there’s lots of people who feel the same way as you.
@@DrTraceyMarks Thanks for being such a good resource. I can take this chip off my shoulder now haha. I'll use your template now that I know what kind of information would be useful.
i lost what was so much
the true and gentle touch
i cried like a wimpering soul
i cannot look past, i cannot let go
how do i live another day
that which created me
i sit here all day i drone
all by myself all alone
This is super helpful and I am going to try it with my new doctor who I am already having difficulty communicating with. I am hoping this will get us back on track and ultimately figure out if we are compatible or not. I completely understand why you are suggesting all of this, but I do have to say it’s ridiculous that the patient needs to do the work for the so-called medical professional who is making big bucks compared to the average patient but is too busy or incapable of taking the time to figure it out with the patient or even just to tell us the same things you’ve just told us to help express what we are experiencing more clearly. Many of us patients seeking help with mental health are barely getting by due to low paying jobs or symptoms that make daily living very difficult yet the so-called professional needs us to basically do the work for them in order to write the script. I find that very frustrating … however, I do realize the reality of how important it is to do what you were saying, and I will but these doctors need to step up to the plate and stop rushing in and out of a room with a pat answer. This is the first time I’ve seen a psychiatric nurse practitioner or psychiatric practitioner of any type and so far I’m not impressed bc when my first medication she suggested did not fit my needs due to side effects she scolded me for how I dealt with it and basically dismissed me in general. I was deeply affected and depressed by that for a couple weeks after the appointment and I’m hoping by the next appointment I can speak up for myself but honestly I’m afraid she will be that way again. My primary care and therapist have done much more to get to know me and my needs over the years. Thanks again for the suggestions. They seem very useful and I will give them a try.!
I love your videos find them very informative, I know you have done one on Depersonalization derealization but I am wondering if you have videos on other dissociative disorders such as DID or dissociative amnesia?
Hi Tara I’m sorry I don’t. But Dr. Todd Grande has a couple of videos on the topic.
Hello Tracy, I watched a lot of your videos. They were all nicely put and had a great intent. I want you to do a video about mental health issues driven by shame and addiction of Internet porn. This is really a social evil which is taking a bigger shape for this generation. When we grew up, Internet was still growing and still lot of people including me got affected by its dark side. As a psychiatrist, you can drop a video telling us how this thing can breed anxiety, depression, and emotional distress. I don't know how, but I think this was one of the reasons I developed paranoid schizophrenia.
Thank you.
So helpful! Thank you
Excellent video,
Good advice on procedure I had to talk with my doctor about changing my medication because it required injections and I had no way of legally and safety of disposing of used syringes once leaving the hospital
Excellent video!
Thank you.
Dr. Marks, can you please make a video contrasting the emotional and social symptom differences between ADHD’s Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria, autism, and borderline personality disorder? I know that these things can be co-morbid in some cases as well and am curious about cases that explore the overlaps too. I have some personal struggles that I am trying to get some clarity on. I also work in group homes with people with disabilities, and I believe that one of my residents has been misdiagnosed as autistic but actually has ADHD+RSD and a persistent vocal tic disorder.
Thank you so much for making these incredible videos! They’re already helping me a lot.
Did She ever do this?? Sounds very interesting.
thank you so much, doctor. i think i've been misdiagnosed. i got diagnosed with bipolar, but idk i think i have borderline...
this video was very helpful. i will follow your advice when i see my my doctor soon
Honestly the internet has helped both me and my therapist so much.
With all the mixture of information about mental illnesses and some of it being limited with the exception of the internet, it was how I started the conversation around DID was bringing up me looking into it and talking about the amnesia and bringing in all the proof around it.
Was originally diagnosed with depersonalization disorder and memory loss, but really they were both symptoms of my DID.
It's am amazing tool to figure out what's going on!
True. It’s important to keep the information in context though as educative. And it shouldn’t be a substitute for consulting with a professional
I did the list and it worked 🌷
Oh wonderful thanks for letting me know
Thank you very much doctor you are the best .. love from 🇸🇦❤️
Thank you so much for your valuable content. It has helped me to understand mental illness better.
Unfortunately I’ve been diagnosed with GAD and Depression.
I’m taking escitalopram and receiving CBT. Medication helps for a while but then I start to struggle focusing and having problems with my short term memory again (Sometimes I have to read the same text line, over and over again because I can’t understand it or I can’t remember recent things). My brain gets tired quickly and I begin to have headache. Then my psychiatrist prescribe me a higher dose that works for a little while until I develope tolerance again.
I’m starting to think that I could also have B1 or B12 deficiency because I used to have trouble walking and speaking, but then it disappeared. Or it could be an underlying issue.
Im scared, I don’t want to have irreversible damage or to develope dementia. But my psychiatrist doesn’t talk a lot about that topic. What should I do ?
I was MISDIAGNOSED with bipolar after 10 min of coming in.
Thanks! Very useful as usual. I'm starting to regret even getting help in the first place because I don't feel myself anymore, like ever. My current doctor took the diagnosis from my previous psychiatrist without questioning it. I'm under many meds and I'm questioning whether I wouldn't be better off of them. I feel like it messed up my life even more :(
🙁 sorry. Before getting another opinion and starting the process over, maybe you could write out your symptoms using the symptom checklist I provided. And then take that to your doctor for a discussion.
Ryukei- I'm so sorry. Lots of doctors are bad doctors. They misdiagnose, they give the wrong meds at the wrong dosage, or they give meds when not necessary, or they keep a patient on meds even when they aren't helping, or when they're harming. It sounds like you're experiencing some, if not all, of these things. The doctor should have never blindly accepted your previous diagnosis without re-assessing you. It sounds like he doesn't care about your well-being. If you aren't doing well, or getting worse, he should notice and make appropriate changes to help you. He's probably getting paid by the pharmaceutical companies to push those drugs on you. Lots of people have been harmed by psychiatric drugs. I would highly suggest you find another doctor ASAP. And try out a few until you find a good one. I wish you well, take care 🌸
The meds usually make people worse it’s just a matter of how much worse and how long it takes for them to get worse. Usually it’s just “I’ve been having a more difficult time lately.” And so they increase the drugs not telling you that the drugs are only temporarily masking what will inevitably rise to the surface. While the temporary masking of initial symptoms occurs the brain and central and peripheral nervous system are being dismantled by the drugs causing myriad other symptoms that will most likely be interpreted as a misdiagnosis or, yet another “disorder” that will enable another prescription to now mask the symptoms that were created or exacerbated by the first. This is the cycle. Meditation and yoga are far more valuable than medication but you will never hear this from a doctor you’re paying for scripts or they are out of a job.
@@shebopamama I totally agree.
Great question
Thank you Dr. Marks for your informative videos, they are very helpful. Is it possible for you to create a video regarding diagnosis regarding Narcissistic disorder and how it’s different from borderline and mania in bipolar disorder.
Great question. Thanks for the idea I’ll add it to my list.
I needed this video 9 years ago. Long story short, they thought I had scizophrenia then scizo effective disorder. Its actually Anxiety. Tracey, your video on Anxiety helped me tell everyone about it and how it lines up with my symptoms. I also have OCD, PTSD, depression, seasonal depression, a bad heart, a fibrosis in my uterus, and a cyst in my right ovary. I also have a high chance of either getting diabetes or ovarian, breast, and brain cancer. I used to be a borderline diabetic. It took 4 years to lose about 70 pounds. I still have to lose about 33 to 40 more. Can you please do a video all about birth control? Cuz my doctor denied my other meds for Anxiety and my Latuda to reduce my period flow. My mom says birth control might balance everything out. I take Deblitane. Thank you! 😊💖
vangothengirl Does Latuda slow menstrual flow? Maybe I should get back on it.
Hi vangothegirl. I’m so glad you have found the videos helpful. Thanks for your faith in my ability to talk about oral contraceptives, but that’s not my area. I don’t prescribe them and if I have someone who I think needs hormonal treatment I would refer them to a GYN or endocrinologist, depending on the hormonal treatment.
Dr. Tracey Marks I have a GYN but I dunno what that other one is. You're welcome :)
Britta Olson yes it helps quite a bit
Thank you again for an informative, helpful video. My mind becomes a scrambled mess and I often end up bouncing around in the conversation but not really getting across what I mean and also forgetting things I wanted to mention. I will try to do this soon as I need to get better, decades of my life gone with mental health rollercoasters. Commented previously on needing to speak with my Dr and CPN as I believe I am bipolar 2 from watching your videos. You are amazing for giving your time and energy freely. Thanks again. ❤
You’re welcome Vee I get a lot out of it especially knowing that it helps people.
Excellent. I was definitely seeing the wrong therapist. I was tired of being scolded for trying to understand her diagnosis. I took in my concerns in a written list and she shushed me. I THINK I'm an open book, but several times she told me that I'm nothing like I think I am, but would never explain what she meant, and when I'd ask her she'd roll her eyes and shake her head and make guttural noises. That's depressing.
I absolutely love your videos Dr Tracy, and would love see ones focusing on childhood/adolescence symptoms.
Like say, if someone has bpd or other personality disorders, (especially with personality disorders since they don’t just show up), how the transition into child to teen and then adult. I know it’s unlikely to diagnose under 18s with mental disorders but I would like to see how especially teenagers could recognise and speak with a doctor without being dismissed simply because they ‘aren’t old enough’ or ‘brain is still growing’
Please leave a like or comment if you would also like to watch 🤗
Dr marks your vids help me understand and with my depression!
Doctors are weird I need to go for adhd but I'm putting it off lol not to mention me knowing I'll forget what to say and just say some terrible bs like... Ee I get bored easy, you gotta say more or people say "it's normal" but I go blank when talking to people somtimes, just go blank, note taking helps so I've done that, going tomorrow, wish me luck 😂, nice vid you gained a sub👍
Thanks a lot 👍🏼
having just been through this I really believe I have needed to be more firm and way less passive. I asked about bipolar over a decade and multiple times since. I have had to go through hell before they actually agreed and I could start the proper treatment plan.
I was just recently diagnosed by a psychologist as being schizotypal. I completely disagree. I have been doing research for about 8 months now on Autism. I know for a fact I am.
I have always felt that I didn't fit in. I was the weird kid who was clumsy and knew to many facts. I have always been very direct to the point that others consider me to be rude at times.
I hate bright lighting, I can smell things that others will take 5 minutes to sense.
I am not good at math, remembering birthdays and faces unless I have know the person for a while.
I love interacting with others in a small group (6-10) if I know them.
I hate larger groups of 12+-40 or more at weddings or parties. However, I would have no fear of performing or talking in front of 2,000 people as I know that I would be controlling the conversation and subject as I do with the small groups.
I am very funny with a vast knowledge of jokes, comedians and trivia.
I have almost immediate recall of events even back to when I was 3.
I love people and conversations even with strangers.
I drove public busses and I love engaging with people in dialog but if something was going into an uncomfortable area I would say that I needed to pay attention to my driving,
I had hyperfocus in my ability to drive and was accident free for all of my 33 years.
I think my diagnosis is completely incorrect.
Thank you for this video so I know how to broach the subject in my consultation to review his findings.
I think there is a possibility my diagnosis might be different. I said that 3 weeks ago to my Dr. and we had a great discussion. And i did bring a list of my symptoms.
Thank you thank you thank you!
I just know everytime I question if I am actually bipolar and I might have been misdiagnosed and am ok, that just confirms that I'm not ok. Everytime I do that I stop meds and the disaster happens and I see clearly that it was right and my mind was lying.
Addressing the situation finding assertive words :)
There's nothing wrong with expressing yourself. If you're having doubts there's nothing wrong with asking the questions needed until you feel confident with your diagnosis and treatment
Sending love ♡ hope you have a wonderful day
You too.
@@DrTraceyMarks ♡
Dr. Marks thank you so much for this very informative video. By giving the Medication History Template you are helping patients and medical professionals. :)
You’re welcome Bahar thanks so much. I wasn’t sure if people would think it was helpful or not. So good to know.
@@DrTraceyMarks it really does. Being a last year medical student and someone who has been dealing with depression and anxiety for years now, I have seen both sides of the health care system. So correct information and informative videos like yours can sure help both sides.
I think it is as important to learn "how to be a patient" as it is to be "how to be a good healthcare provider ". Your videos do so very well. :)
i kinda told my therapist straight up i thought i was borderline, mistake 😔
Same....
What happened?
@@Aituariagbon nah it was my fault i did too much research and just labelled myself
@@suni466 pain
@@saltybutnotverysweet3862 ahh. I don’t want to diagnose myself but I don’t have the best relationship with doctors. They just never seem to be able to help me with anything. Sucks
I wish I had taken proper notes of all the meds I've tried!! I guess I was so tired I just couldn't. Would've been really handy.
You never know what other medications you’ll be on in the future. So you can start now from this point forward. That will still be helpful for your future treatment.
I bounce between watching old and new videos and I laugh at these little cartoons that pop uo every time. They kill me XD love it
I try and read actual research papers (at least the abstracts) to get an idea about the latest in bipolar research (which I have). I feel sorta pretentious running it by my doc because who knows what he reads with his large patient load. I feel, though, that a doc can at least "guide" the patient when the patient does his own research.
Essential viewing for every patient! Thank you!
😢 🙏 thank you!
My current GP completely dismisses the fact that I’m HS (high spectrum) autistic for bipolar disorder. I was diagnosed in 2019 but GP listens to old psychiatrists untrained in geriatric autism.
Autism advocate told me “…you passed the test with flying colors…”
My research revealed that Gabapentin toxicity mimics bipolar disorder and the damage to the brain mimics mad cow’s disease! (UC Davis research). Lyricaca gave suicidal ideations?!?
I’m reading Dr. Regan’s book on Autism in older adults; grateful there are brilliant psychiatrists out there.
I got my brain back and I’m not going back ever!
💪❤️💪
This may be the best advice I have ever heard. I love your CZcams video’s!