Mental diagnosis' a "choice"! What?! No way, I think?...

[artmom]

Before you react to me negatively, I just want to clarify that the title is from a statement I heard come out of my own mom's mouth during a very uncomfortable car ride. And, since it was Christmas and she wasn't particularly talking to me (probably because I was in the backseat and I was pretending to get some shut eye.), she was talking to her bf, I kept my own lips tightly shut. But, boy, was I appalled in my head.
Specifically, the topic was on PTSD and how paramedics, police, fire fighters and other people in like occupations are being recognized as being at risk for PTSD. My mom thought this idea is, basically, a life ruining, career wrecking "choice", where people are deciding what mental disorder to be diagnosed with. Now, that is not what I want this thread to be about, because I already understand that PTSD is a very real problem. My dad has it. I have had it after labor (I actually that is the cause of PPD). I know there are different levels of PTSD. This topic is just how my question came about with another, different, but similar topic.

Anyways,
Despite her narrow mindedness, it got me thinking. I'm in the process of getting my daughter help with anxiety and depression (without drugs or labelling.) and I put in a request to have her further checked for dyslexia/dyscalculia (my mom says she's dyslexic, but not formally diagnosed. Yes, the hypocrisy runs deep with this one. And I have dyscalculia.), and even her ped. agreed it's a good idea considering it's suspected as hereditary.
Perhaps, because my moms nagging and stubborn, haughty tone rings in my head ALL. THE. TIME. I'm beginning to question whether this extra testing might hinder her school-wise. She has already been diagnosed with
a Global Developmental Delay, in which she has overcome and she is no longer getting extra help in class.
I have noticed that the school is still monitoring her progress with a fine toothed comb. They do not take her seriously, nor me seriously. If my daughter has a doctors appt. or any other important scheduled appt. it's not believed fully. If she stays home sick the teachers and other staff think she's just refusing to go to school.
She will be going to the big high school this fall and there is already talk about placing her on a plan for high school. I'm worried it's going to cause these new teachers to distrust my daughter and think she is some sort of trouble. Plus, a diagnosis of another learning disability may give the impression that she's not smart enough, which she is.
She is very bright and creative. I've never gotten calls from the principal for bad behaviour and plain being mean. I don't want anyone to get that impression from a stack of files.
I am actually going to be just as happy as she is when she graduates high school. We both won't have to deal with schools.

Am I worrying too much?

 

[mom2many]

My oldest, this was 22 years ago (he's 24 now) was diagnosed with a learning, language and comprehension disorder. Now it is suspected that he is actually autistic, but since it wasn't as known back then they just labeled it what fit the most. The reason we can not make an official diagnosis now is because at 17 he became Bi-polar with psychosis, and I same became because it was sudden onset, this makes testing a lot harder and more complicated.

If you feel your DD has other issues, test her. Not only does it open her up to more MANDATED school resources, just saw your in Canada so it might be a little different, but it also means you have a better handle in what she would need help wise.

 

[mummabear92]

I don't think your worrying too much, your childs future is of course going to be important to you!

Is there somebody at the school yourself and your daughter can confide in who can act as a support to your daughter. That way you know that there is always someone who can speak positively about your daughter around there peers and perhaps change peoples opinions on her. Sort of like an advocate for her!

Also I think you should try and get your daughter into some therapy or support groups if she is not already, I think it could be quite beneficial to her and could help with her coping strategies. You could also do specialist tutoring too, so that you know education wise she is getting the best!

Sometimes I don't think schools are that great at dealing with 'different' children, I would recommend a specialist, speak to someone who can give you specialist advice on what your worrying about! Personally I think these are things your daughter will deal with for the seat of her life and the most important thing is to find ways to cope especially against adversity! Which unfortunately is deeply prevalent within society! It might be something you have to really put your foot down with the schools and demand she is taken seriously!!

Good luck!

 

[TabascoNatalie]

I am on a fence here. For a child, an official diagnosis can entitle you to extra resources and help. However, in the long run childhood ends, and an official mental health disorder can be life limiting. Like she could be barred from certain careers, etc.
And "professional" help isn't always very professional.

 

[mummabear92]

I think If you do seek professional advice definitely make sure you do your research and go to someone who is highly recommended! I guarantee there is someone in your community who can aid you with this and improve your outlook on this! Shop around on the net and see what you find

 

[cybele]

Think of it this way.

I have been diagnosed with arthritis. I could have chosen not to have it looked into and not officially had arthritis, but I would still be in pain. I would still be hindered. The only thing that changes is knowledge and ability to treat.

Mental illness is the same as physical illness. So what if you are prevented from certain professions, if you have the illness and don't label it, that doesn't make you any more capable of undertaking that profession.

 

[artmom]

If you feel your DD has other issues, test her. Not only does it open her up to more MANDATED school resources, just saw your in Canada so it might be a little different, but it also means you have a better handle in what she would need help wise.

Sort of works like that. Canada lacks in efficient and consistent resources for certain mental/developmental care. You have to be diligent and persistent. We got the run around last year and my daughter wasn't properly tested. I had no clue what was supposed to happen next. I had to contact her ped. and contact the psychiatrist, again. The reason we are assigned a psychiatrist is because they are covered under our provinces universal health care, whereas a psychologist is not, and that can cost thousands.
We got in contact with the psychologist and my daughter has had 2 appointments. Even he said that he's not looking to label my daughter, but they will test her for dyslexia to see if that is an actual issue, along with other things that is going on with her.

I think If you do seek professional advice definitely make sure you do your research and go to someone who is highly recommended! I guarantee there is someone in your community who can aid you with this and improve your outlook on this! Shop around on the net and see what you find

It doesn't really work that way. Professionals, often, are assigned and set up for you through doctors. Of course you can request to seek a new professional, but, especially for kids, you can't just go searching for any random professional. Recently, there's been a lot of reports and of frauds and abuse in the health care system. It's just too risky. I've been taking her to a children's mental health clinic and, so far, we're happy with them.

Is there somebody at the school yourself and your daughter can confide in who can act as a support to your daughter. That way you know that there is always someone who can speak positively about your daughter around there peers and perhaps change peoples opinions on her. Sort of like an advocate for her!

My daughter meets with the guidance counsellor at school on a regular basis. Not everyday, but it seems, at least, once a week.

When she was receiving extra help when she was dealing with a global development delay, she was meeting with a lot of different people. There would be an in-class tutor, or student helper, a speech therapist and a development specialist. There was a high turn over in these fields and we never had the same person for very long. No one could even say what caused it. They were more focused on treatments and finding labels. They were trying to say she had Asperger's, ADHD, they were suggesting Ritalin. I shot all those ideas down VERY quickly and they listened to me, too. It was so empowering. I need to some how being myself back into that moment and instill my authority, as I do have the last say.

 

[mummabear92]

https://www.cmha.ca/mental_health/children-and-depression/[/url]



So after a simple internet search I managed to find this website, it has alot of useful information. It says you can contact them to find out about resources available in your area, maybe they can be of assistance to you!

I'm not from Canada so I don't know specifics but, I'm sure there will be support groups and charities that can also give you advice as well as doctors.

Your her mum at the end of the day, you know what's best for her and can only do what you think is right! When it comes to schools, if its similar to what its like in England then you really have to fight to get the help you deserve and need! You could start with writing down exactly what it is that you want for your daughter is it a diagnosis is it extra support maybe its just a bit of help with school work whatever it may be write it down make a list and then try to tackle how you can achieve them!

I really hope this helps, even if its not completely life changing advice and sorting out all the problems you may be facing!

 

[Vdad]

Right, I don't know the system in Canada, either. But, part of the problem seems to be the bureaucracy. Who and what gets done is determined more by availability and cost rather than actual need.

Accurate diagnosis is determined by competent professionals, and sadly there's often an inverse correlation btwn what or who you get and how or how much you pay for it. Maybe you need to go outside the system...maybe even come to the US...and have a good psycho educational evaluation done? Yes, it costs more, but it might provide an accurate blueprint of the problems which would make treatment more direct and precise. Right now it sounds like a lot of guess work or patch work, rather than a comprehensive plan based on a good assessment.

Unfortunately, your daughter seems to have a complex set of issues which aren't as easily dealt with in the more typical (Canadian) way. You might be trying to jam a square peg into a round hole by expecting a system that is streamlined for (cost) efficiency to be able to take the steps to identify and treat a number of different yet interconnected symptoms/issues. In the long run, it might be more advantageous to look elsewhere for the carpenter.

 

[TabascoNatalie]

In UK we have a problem of children being actually over-diagnosed. Seems like Special Needs are on epidemic levels and resources are overstretched. Certainly not enough specialists to everyone who wants, leaving out those who genuinely needs.

 

[Vdad]

Maybe it's semantics, but you know, something cannot be "Over diagnosed". It's either there or it isn't. More correctly, they're "Misdiagnosed". And that happens primarily b/c of the competence of the evaluator.

Something that is misdiagnosed cannot then be properly treated. The amount of misdiagnosed individuals clogs the system, taking essential time and resources (and patience and initiative) from the professionals who are then tasked with treating them.

I think the first step is to use your awareness of your child's *Issues* and if the system fails you, be willing to pay for a proper evaluation by a proper professional and then use it to get the proper treatment/remediation. yes, the system should be able to accommodate that, but int he absence of accountability and accuracy, I also think a lot of people get caught in this "they have to" mind set instead of just doing it themselves and paying for it.

 

[TabascoNatalie]

Overdiagnozed is the official term, meaning that too many children get ascribed mental illnesses which are not there.
The recent favourite is Pathological Demand Avoidance -- for children who don't "do" authority