This is my first post in this series since I started receiving biweekly therapy in September 2017.

For over 20 years I’ve received psychotherapy and taken medication on and off. I’ve been diagnosed with bipolar type II disorder, depression, anxiety, OCD, and ADD, but was never officially administered a psychoeducational evaluation. My current therapist, Dr. T, recommended I go through the evaluation process so that we could get a more accurate picture of my mind and decide what the next steps would be.

After a 2+ month long process, I have the results. According to the psychologist, I’ve been diagnosed with Cyclothymic Disorder with Anxious Distress and Obsessive-Compulsive Traits. The OCD isn’t as severe, so the word “disorder” wasn’t tagged behind it. I can still go to work each day and function, despite whatever obsessive-compulsive traits I present each day.

I will continue to see Dr. T every other Monday at 6 pm. I’m looking for a new psychiatrist, one who won’t throw an Adderall prescription at me for saying I have trouble focusing at work.

The evaluation recommends that I regularly exercise (yeah, no shit!) and that I participate pro-social interactions outside of work.