Discovering a Diagnosis: The Beginning
© April Scheiner, Author
We are glad to be back with you to discuss a common occurrence in the field of medicine. New diagnoses of mental disorders are reported every day. As this is a somewhat gray area of medicine, it is possible that since a doctor can often only base their diagnosis on the symptoms that the patient has, a process of searching for the best way to treat a client may be flawed. Even so, if you or anyone that you know seems to be suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, help should be sought through a family doctor, psychiatrist, or support group. Whatever you do, seek help and keep believing that you will feel better, because you will.
MELISSA'S DEPRESSION: Melissa held onto the door, which led to Doctor Martin's office a bit longer than usual. She had been visiting her family doctor in order to treat her conditions for years, but had never come to him with her most recent symptoms. She really didn't want to go inside and wished her anxiousness was gone.
Before leaving home, Melissa looked into the mirror. There were bags under her eyes and her face was strained red from tears. Earlier as she dragged herself out of bed, her mood only allowed her to dress in sweatpants and a tee shirt. Sadly, she hadn't changed out of her nightgown for days and cried uncontrollably. Typically, Melissa prided herself on looking presentable, so this was distressing for her.
Tiffany, Melissa's daughter, visited one afternoon from out of town. She let herself in with her own key. After trying several days by phone to reach her mother, still all she could hear was a fast busy signal. Upon arrival, Tiffany attempted to feed her mother. When it was clear to Tiffany that her mother refused to eat, she decided to clean Melissa's house. She had never seen her mother in such a bad condition. When Tiffany asked Melissa how long she had been feeling this way, her mother had just shrugged and started crying. Tiffany made an appointment with Melissa's family physician for a full examination of her mother.
Finally, she opened the door to the waiting room, sat down, and pretended to be reading a magazine. In reality, Melissa was incapable of focusing on anything enough to understand what was in front of her. When a nurse called her name, she dragged herself off the chair and bumbled into the Dr. Martin's examination room.
