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Q - Dear Annabelle,
I have been in a relationship now for 3 years. It was very happy to start with but lately I find that my partner keeps telling my that emotionally I am unstable. I went to the Doctor and she said I was depressed and put me on pills but I feel no different. I saw another Doctor and they put me on ADD medication. I don't know what specific problem I have but it seems others know! I am beginning to believe that I am emotionally unstable and may never get better.
This problem is starting to effect all types of relationships. When I try to defend my actions my partner tells me, "It's o.k. I understand it must be time for your medication" I am so confused and upset by all of this that I don't know who I am anymore or who to believe. I don't believe I am sick. I feel I have convinced myself of this and I'm just playing along. I wish I knew who to trust.
A - Dear Sarah,
Well, somethingās going on here, thatās for sure. You said you went to a doctor......by that I HOPE you mean that you went either to a psychologist or to a psychiatrist.......(an doctor that prescribes psychiatric medications). My preference would be for an evaluation by a good psychologist......theyāre more thoroughly trained and will, if they feel it appropriate, refer to a psychiatrist for medication). Too, though youāre just 34, you MIGHT be starting to go through Īthe changeā early.....or one or more chemical imbalances may be taking place. You may need a complete blood and urinalysis workup.
Now, when you DID Īgo to the doctorā.....again, I trust that you had at least 45 minutes in session and one or two written tests to take that were returned to and scored by a competent psychometrician, (thatās a person trained in mental health test scoring and evaluation). Did you take the MMPI, the Beck
Depression Inventory or the House/Tree/Person? If not, go back to Square One and start again with the psychologist. Your situation, as you describe it is more complex than, ćHere, take one of these...ä and itās not fair to you OR the people with whom you interact to just pass this off with guesswork and giving you some psychotropic meds that may...or may NOT...be suitable for your PARTICULAR situation. We are complex chemical as well as emotional, beings, and Īone size fitsā all treatments are often worse than no treatment at all.
At the very least you need ways of dealing with your situation that do NOT involve medication....medication is but ONE way of supporting a patient to more appropriate behavior, mental and emotional involvement is almost a requirement here. No wonder you feel confused........it doesnāt sound as if you have a broad enough diagnosis. From what you say, Iād recommend that you write down a list of questions and give the whole process another go.
- Annabelle
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