Thank you Dr. Diana Walcutt for answering my concerns. Please read how I was diagnosed.
I divorced my husband March 2008. I wanted to rebuild my life with my 3 year old daughter. I spoke to my family Dr. in regards to being depressed. I made a consultation with a counselor because I was having trouble with what I thought was Depression. In the first month, he evaluated me and my life history. He ask me if I had ever been evaluated for ADD. I said no, but I thought maybe I had slipped through the cracks in grade school. He scheduled a computerized testing, then later scheduling a QEEG. I was diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar continuum disorder, anxiety disorder, and cognitive disorder NOS. This was such a blow for me. I had only been to a Dr. for bronchitis once a year. I didnt know how to feel. I had bumper to bumper insurance while married. I had to seek my own insurance during separation from my husband. Unfortunatly, I went with a major medical/catithrophic(misspelled) Plan. My current insurance plan did not include mental health...never thinking I might need it...or counseling. I think all plans should include at least 6-8 sessions. I really needed to be counseled on my diagnoses, but it was at my expense. I had agreed to budgeting for "Rebuilding my Life"...never dreaming the can of worms that exploded in my life. I talked to my counselor in regards to my financial issues. I agreed I was very serious about my issues and would find the money to continue the counseling and start neurofeedback. I did neurofeedback for 3 months and really started to see a great change. My counselor and I have a great relationship...he is very easy to talk to and makes me feel very good at where my life is going. I felt like it was totally different from what I had originally called him about, but I wanted to do the right thing for my daughter and seek the best for my diagnoses. I felt like he was helping me cope with my diagnoses. I started having more trouble with my finances with couseling, meds...adderall xr, lexapro, and lamictal. I was spending out of pocket $638 a month. This is very tough for a single Mom. As most people, I thought I was feeling and doing great. I stopped attending my sessions and neurofeedback to save money. I have not and will not discontinue my meds until I am advised by my Dr. I do know the importants of staying on schedule. I went from taking something for an occassional headache to 3 meds everyday.
Since I initally wrote in, I have scheduled a session with my couselor. I feel like the QEEG is a test in which the diagnoses is very accurate. My question...do I seek another opinion. I really want to accept my diagnoses and make my life better. I will not be able to seek counseling 4 times a month and pay for all meds, but I will see my counselor monthly. I know the neurofeedfack is not in my finances at this time. I was intridged in the different ways of making my brain function better and did see progress.
Dr. Diana, I thank you for your feedback. This is such a great site for networking. I have not been able to tell my friends and family members of my diagnoses (only my parents). I would love to hear from others on this matter. LeighAnn
Hi LeighAnn: I am surprised by all the diagnoses you have been given. I haven't met you, but would be curious; have you ever had a manic episode? In order to be diagnosed as Bipolar, you need to have had at least one manic episode. I would go to this website: Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder and see if you have had these symptoms.
What test did you take before the QEEG? Was it the TOVA? These tests are good but not completely reliable. Since you have just come through a divorce, I would expect your stress level to be high and that could easily cause depression (or grief), agitation, confusion, anxiety, disorganization, and fatigue, to name just a few. If you never had problems in school, I wouldn't assume that you had ADD/ADHD, or necessarily a cognitive disorder.
I read dozens of doctor's reports every day and quite frankly, am astounded by some of the diagnoses that I see with little basis. Psychologists and Neuropsychologists (both doctors) specialize in these kinds of diagnoses and use a series of tests to determine the presence of both ADHD and Cognitive disorders. Brain waves don't necessarily tell the whole story. I do diagnostic testing for ADHD, and treat it with Neurofeedback and never rely on just the TOVA or even the QEEG for diagnosis. If the person is a young student, I ask the parents to get testing done, and read the Teacher's Questionnaires. If the patient is an adult I get a thorough history and often request testing at our office for ADHD (besides the TOVA).
Again, I have never met you, but what I would do (if it were me), is stick with your counselor if you like her, and when possible, perhaps seek a second opinion. I realize that this can be expensive but we are talking about your life and your brain. Never forget that you are the expert on yourself. If you are uncomfortable with what a doctor is telling you, don't hesitate to seek answers from someone else.
Good luck,
Dr. Diana Walcutt
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