Misdiagnosis — I Need Advice

[alilac8]

About two years ago, I went to a psychiatrist or psychologist (I can’t remember which, and he diagnosed me with Borderline Personality Disorder, ADHD, and hinted at Bipolar. I’ve since started my aviation journey, thinking nothing of it, and need to get my medical clearance. I know I won’t pass with any of those three on the table.

The issue is, I don’t have most of the symptoms of any of those three, and when he diagnosed me (I had never met with him before) we had a 15 minute phone call via TeleHealth, he threw a bunch of diagnoses on me, pushed four different medications on me, and could never find time to meet with me again for a follow-up. He talked for 95% of that 15 minutes, and asked me a total of three questions. From what I’ve heard, this isn’t an uncommon thing for him to do. I believe all of them are misdiagnoses.

So now I’m panicking a bit because I won’t be able to have a career in aviation, as I won’t pass the medical with any of those three. Is there anything I can do to move forward and possibly have a career? This is my passion and I don’t know what to do now. I also don’t know if he actually put any of it into my actual medical record, so if he didn’t, will I be good to go? I’m going to check Monday when my doctor’s office is open.

Any help or advice is appreciated! Thank you!

To make it clear, I would never lie to the FAA or withhold information, and I have no intention of doing so. I just want to know what my options are and what the best, cheapest, and quickest way forward is (I know it will be costly and time-consuming), and if there is ever any hope or possibility of me being a pilot.

 

[Kenny Phillips]

He is required to put that in his records.
You are also required to tell the truth when filling out the medical forms.
Others will chime in as to the approach, but, hey, you got in touch with the health care pro, so something may still need to be addressed.

 

[AggieMike88]

@alilac8 … Filling in a gap… What was the occasion/reason that had you going to the psychiatrist/psychologist in the first place?

Something had to kick if this domino chain.

 

[alilac8]

He is required to put that in his records.
You are also required to tell the truth when filling out the medical forms.
Others will chime in as to the approach, but, hey, you got in touch with the health care pro, so something may still need to be addressed.

I would never lie to the FAA. That’s not something I want to do in the slightest. And didn’t seem like my doctor’s office had any record of his “diagnoses,” so I was just wondering if I had to report it if he didn’t report it. Like maybe it wasn’t an official diagnosis? Like I said, we talked over the phone for 15 minutes total, never had any previous conversations or any later follow-ups, and he pushed a bunch of stuff on me. Hardly any of the symptoms line up with anything I deal with, and it was an extremely rushed evaluation, which is why I believe it was a misdiagnosis.

 

[alilac8]

@alilac8 … Filling in a gap… What was the occasion/reason that had you going to the psychiatrist/psychologist in the first place?

Something had to kick if this domino chain.

I was depressed from external circumstances (including death in the family), and I was pressured into going. I was already seeing a therapist for it and wasn’t on any meds, and my mental health was getting better with just the therapy. My family can be overbearing and they pushed me into it.

 

[SkyChaser]

Did you fill any prescriptions? If you did, it won't matter if the guy put the BPD, etc., in your record, as the prescriptions will be there.

 

[Half Fast]

If the doc gave you a prescription he made a diagnosis. He can’t give you meds without diagnosing a condition that requires them.

 

[alilac8]

Did you fill any prescriptions? If you did, it won't matter if the guy put the BPD, etc., in your record, as the prescriptions will be there.

I did, unfortunately. I didn’t like any of the meds and didn’t stay on any long. Like I said, he pushed a bunch of meds on me and I was young (still am) and trusted him for some stupid reason.

 

[alilac8]

If the doc gave you a prescription he made a diagnosis. He can’t give you meds without diagnosing a condition that requires them.

He pushed meds so he could schedule follow ups to make sure they were working. I’ve heard from multiple people that he does this so he can keep making money, and oftentimes misdiagnoses patients. We had a 15 minute call, that’s hardly enough time to diagnose someone, but now I’m screwed. Is there any good way forward?

 

[mandm]

You need to talk to a professional, not us. Doctors, lawyers and accountant's are blood sucking individuals. They always want to do as little work as possible to get paid, and never represent your interests, just what’s easier or pays better. Good luck.

 

[Half Fast]

He pushed meds so he could schedule follow ups to make sure they were working. I’ve heard from multiple people that he does this so he can keep making money, and oftentimes misdiagnoses patients. We had a 15 minute call, that’s hardly enough time to diagnose someone, but now I’m screwed. Is there any good way forward?

Probably not. Bipolar is a non-starter. @bbchien or @lbfjrmd will know much better than anyone, though, so hopefully one or both will respond. Any path forward, if it exists, will be long and very expensive.

 

[Half Fast]

You need to talk to a professional, not us. Doctors, lawyers and accountant's are blood sucking individuals. They always want to do as little work as possible to get paid, and never represent your interests, just what’s easier or pays better. Good luck.

You’re seeing the wrong doctors. Bruce Chien handled my medical, did a terrific job, and his fee was a pittance. He’d make more with a tips jar on his desk.

 

[mandm]

You’re seeing the wrong doctors. Bruce Chien handled my medical, did a terrific job, and his fee was a pittance. He’d make more with a tips jar on his desk.

I give an exclusion to my statement for some AME’s. But other than that, nope.

 

[lbfjrmd]

the bi-polar will be looked at. If it is present, it will be a game stopper. Otherwise this looks like a routine HIMS case, though borderline can be problematic too.

 

[Magman]

Unrelated. Sort of.

How does a patient know if a doc made a diagnosis if there are no prescriptions or referrals ?

 

[alilac8]

You need to talk to a professional, not us. Doctors, lawyers and accountant's are blood sucking individuals. They always want to do as little work as possible to get paid, and never represent your interests, just what’s easier or pays better. Good luck.

I was just trying to find a starting point. I feel pretty lost right now when it comes to this. I definitely agree with that sentiment. Thank you!

 

[alilac8]

Probably not. Bipolar is a non-starter. @bbchien or @lbfjrmd will know much better than anyone, though, so hopefully one or both will respond. Any path forward, if it exists, will be long and very expensive.

Shoot. I know for a fact I never had an official diagnosis for that one though. What about borderline or ADHD? Those were official diagnoses that I know of, but I believe both, especially the borderline, were incorrect. If the bipolar was never official, but the other two were, is there any hope?

 

[alilac8]

the bi-polar will be looked at. If it is present, it will be a game stopper. Otherwise this looks like a routine HIMS case

The bipolar was never official, that I know of. He just said “you might have this” even though he talked at me for the 15 minute call and never really learned anything about me because I couldn’t get a word in edgewise. If it wasn’t official, is there a way forward?

 

[alilac8]

Unrelated. Sort of.

How does a patient know if a doc made a diagnosis if there are no prescriptions or referrals ?

That’s what I want to know. There were a couple prescriptions, but not for everything he supposedly diagnosed. I’d love to know the answer to this as well. I’m going to call my doc office tomorrow to see what’s on file.

 

[dbahn]

Your are entitled to view and get a copy of your medical record. You should start there. None of your perceptions of what was said or diagnosed outweigh what was written.

 

[alilac8]

Your are entitled to view and get a copy of your medical record. You should start there. None of your perceptions of what was said or diagnosed outweigh what was written.

Will do, that’s what I plan to do today when I get out of work.