Hi

Short story.

At the second date with my counselor, she suggested that I do a cat scan of my brain to see how it performs biochemically. That she saw I had problems dealing with my emotions

Then she told us to do a personality test, (with another counselor) based on (forgive me if I loose something in the translation):

Bender's visual and motor test
Intelligence scale for adults by Wechsler
Draw a tree test by Koch
Draw a human figure by Machover
Psicodiagnostic of Rorschach

Well the results on the other counselor were that I again should do the cat scan of my brain, to dismiss, or to see if I got bipolar standards on me.

Now... I don't like this, but well even though I wodered if this 2 counselors talked about me, the results were very acurate. And I don't have a clue about bipolar dissorder or nothing.

My question is, if you have some links any people can read and understand, on what is this, and how it can show in a cat scan?

Thank you

<small>[ April 20, 2004, 05:41 PM: Message edited by: matilde ]</small>

A CAT scan is a structural scan ... looking for things screwy in the actual architecture of the brain ... and cannot diagnose bi-polar.

A functional MRI, such as PET scan (positron emission tomography) looks at the chemistry of the brain rather than the structure. And, it could be used to help diagnose chemical brain imbalances ... but usually it is not necessary to do the PET scan .... it's a very costly scan!

Some criminal defense attorneys use PET scan to defend death penalty murder cases, by showing abnormal brain functioning that leads to criminal activity!!!

But, this seems a bit much for your situation! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Usually bi-polar is diagnosed by a MD , normally a psychiatrist, not a counselor.

Hope this helps.

Pep

Pep

I understood this to be a cat scan. I have to ask her further about the exam. I don't know much about it, I'm very lay and don't have a clue about this exams. And she told me it was a very expensive exam. That much, that I'm figuring out a way to put it under our insurance.

A cat scan is not that expensive I know because I have done that in the past.

Also the counselor who did the psycological profile is a counselor, psycological one.

Side note here. I looked under her full name, and can you believe she has the same last name as OW? talk to me about coincidences... Anyway my main counselor told me she has nothing to do with OW. I hope!!!

The one I'm seeing on regular dates is a psychiatrist.

Here is the translation of what she recomends: neurobiochemist evaluation of the brain.

I don't know how that is performed or if it's what you are telling me or a cat scan.

<small>[ April 20, 2004, 06:07 PM: Message edited by: matilde ]</small>

Hi Matilde,
I am bi-polar and as pep said this can not be diagnosed with a cat scan etc, I was dxd by a p.doc and medication then prescribed by him.

From what I know (and it's not a lot) LOL A neurobiochemist evaluation is to test a chemical substance, released from a nerve fibre, that effects the transfer of an impulse to another nerve or muscle.

Hope this helps

Does the psychiatrist think you are bipolar? Some folks are really good at hiding it. It runs in my WH's family and is nothing to be ashamed of.

Do you have severe depressions, and then periods when you feel great and can do anything?

Hi believer

I'm not trying to hide nothing here heheh.

Well at least this is a first to me. I don't know, I think this is for better rule out I'm not. I'm hope I'm not. I know there is nothing to be ashamed of, but I thought ... nooo not another thing to deal on now!... I don't even know what that is. My knowledge on that is people who is maniac or had severe depressions. And swift between the 2.

I guess I'm "normal" I mean, well I get depressed sometimes as anyone and sometimes I'm happy, feel great and feel I can do anything, but that is normal right? I mean that depends on the day. For sure, she told me that I have some problems managing my emotions, and I know that now, and trying to deal with it. But I do think bipolar is in another league.

I don't know, I guess there are degrees like there is in all. But I don't know about this, and that is why I'm asking for links.

Anyway, I'm not making myself my own diagnostic, for that I'll leave it to the counselor, but for sure I want to know more about it.

BTW Pep. I DO KNOW I'm not a criminal LOL!
Thank God! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

My step daughter has the disorder, but will not get help for it. She has periods of extreme highs, where she spends money she does not have. Then she hits the low part and lays in bed for months.

Anyway, you can read all about it online. But I would not worry too much.

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> thanks believer

I don't think I'm one too... I'm just wondering hy 2 counselors told me why I might be and recomended me this test...

Who knows? I do know that sometimes BP people try to hide it. I was in the cuckoo ward many years ago for depression and spent lots of time with the BP folks. They were the most fun.

Thanks for your words believer....

From what I'm reading... I'm not that! So I'm not worring <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Hopefully your brain can pass the test. Maybe you should study for it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by matilde:
<strong>
Well the results on the other counselor were that I again should do the cat scan of my brain, to dismiss, or to see if I got bipolar standards on me.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">All I have to say is this:

If you get diagnosed Bipolar, GET A SECOND OPINION. Too many docs out there are diagnosing people as Bipolar left and right, and it's doing more harm than good.

Also do not feel 'weird' if they diagnose something. My mother is bi-polar, MPD, PTSD, narcissistic complex... and with meds she is doing fine.

It worried me enough to get checked out and the conclusion was "No, 2oak, nothing wrong - you are just an @sshole".

Made ya laugh, didn't I?

When I am no longer funny please see a doctor immediately - then we'll know there is a big problem. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

believer

I'm going to take he test in the next month to rule out that. Hope my brain pass it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> I don't know if I can study for it LOL, that would be cheating!

Young and lost, this is why I'm wondering, 2 oppinions already adviced to take the test. I'm not worring about bi-polar stuff no, but maybe something else I don't know about yet?

2oak

I don't know how will I feel if they find something, I'll just have to deal on it when the time comes and make my own wise conclusion as you did with yours LOL! Yes you made me laugh <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> .

I'll post the results when I do the test.

Thank you all for your words