Misdiagnosis Correction Assessment

Psychiatric & Mental Health Misdiagnosis Correction

Many individuals accept a medical diagnosis without reservation, never questioning the accuracy even after years of unsuccessful treatment. Conditions such as mood or personality disorders can obscure or complicate the presentation of other co-existing disorders, making a proper evaluation difficult. At the Delray Center for Healing, we offer Misdiagnosis Correction Assessments to our clients, and have found that many of our clients were misdiagnosed previously, as high as 80% with certain diagnoses like Bipolar Disorder. Because an incorrect assessment often results in treatment that is ineffective and even dangerous, we are diligent in taking the necessary steps to make certain that our clients are properly diagnosed.

The psychiatry team at the Delray Center for Healing are often called upon to provide a second opinion on an existing diagnosis. There are numerous factors that can contribute to misdiagnosis and that must be reviewed for misdiagnosis correction. Here are some of the most commonly misdiagnosed mental health conditions:

Depression:

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental health disorders diagnosed in Americans. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most misdiagnosed conditions in psychiatry. While clinical depression is a stand-alone condition, typically caused by a chemical imbalance, depression is also a symptom that occurs with other mental health problems. Mental health conditions that often present as clinical depression include Bipolar Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). For patients who are depressed, but who do not have MDD, misdiagnosis correction is vital. Many of the medications used to treat clinical depression, such as SSRIs, can actually exacerbate other mental health conditions like Bipolar Disorder.

Borderline Personality Disorder:

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex mental illness marked by unstable behaviors and relationships. Many of the signs of BPD are also seen in other mental health disorders, such as poor self-image, low self-worth, and even suicidal thoughts or feelings. As a result, BPD is often misdiagnosed as a mood disorder or as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. There are also environmental factors that can influence misdiagnosis; BPD was at one time almost exclusively diagnosed in females, but recent studies have indicated that the condition is much more common for males than many clinicians realized. For someone suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder, a correct mental health diagnosis is imperative. BPD treatment requires a specialized clinical intervention in order to be treated correctly, one that usually involves Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Bipolar Disorder:

Bipolar Disorder is a condition characterized by dramatic mood swings. There are multiple types of Bipolar Disorder, and some experience prolonged manic episodes, while others suffer from severe depression with intermittent periods of hypomania. Depending on where an individual is during his or her mood cycling, Bipolar Disorder can appear to be Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Bipolar Disorder also happens to be one of the most incorrectly over-diagnosed conditions in psychiatry. The inability to regulate emotions is a trait also seen in Borderline Personality Disorder, causing the two disorders to be confused for one another. In addition, individuals struggling with substance use or suffering from Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) sometimes have symptoms that mimic Bipolar Disorder.

How to Avoid or Correct Misdiagnosis

If you believe that you have a complex mental health diagnosis, it is important to consult a clinician specializing in that diagnosis. Clinical expertise matters, and being evaluated by an experienced mental health professional can help streamline the diagnostic process. At the Delray Center for Healing, our team of psychiatrists and psychotherapists are highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of the most complicated mental health disorders, including PTSD, treatment-resistant OCD & depression, Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. We are also adept at treating individuals with multiple co-occurring mental illnesses, often referred to as dual diagnosis.

At the Delray Center for Healing, every one of our clients receives a comprehensive and thorough evaluation by a licensed psychiatrist, before embarking upon any treatments or mental health services. When necessary, the collaborative effort of the entire multidisciplinary treatment team can be employed to develop an accurate determination. This can include a consultation with both a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist, if needed. Once the correct diagnosis has been made, each client will receive a personalized treatment plan designed to address their particular needs. An accurate diagnostic assessment is the foundation of our individualized approach to client care and is just one of the many reasons why our clients can expect long-term treatment success.