Expert: Ivan Goldberg, M.D. - 5/1/2008

Question
Hi
My daughter just started college a year and a half ago.  She has been going through depression the school physchologist and the school pyschiatrist have diagnosed her as bipolar I do not believe she is they have had her on lamictal since Dec.  she is still very sad and and crys all the time.  I really believe that she is depressed due to her weight which is also another thing I can not understand I was wondering if her depression would be to a thyroid problem for over 5 months my daughter has been on a health diet and works out 4 times a week for over an hour and a half she has not lost weight and her main depression is her weight and how she looks.  I wouldn't say she is obese far from but she is overwieght and that is what she is usually depressed about.  She will be 20 years old in July and has had only one relationship as far as a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship cause she also believes she is gay.  I am wondering if her depression is due to a thyroid problem and that they have misdiagnosed her as being bipolar.  Like I said she has been on lamictal since Dec. at first she thought it was making her better but it is not.  I have never known her to have any manic episodes growing up or being overly depressed the main depression started in college and is getting worse.  I hope I haven't rambled on and gotten the point I was trying to make across can you please suggest something or tell me what I should do from here.

Answer
Hi Shelley . . .

If you have questions about your daughter's diagnosis and treatment I think you should insist that she get a second opinion from another psychiatrist. She also should have a full set of blood tests to make sure that she does not have a thyroid problem or any other undiagnosed medical problem.

Best regards . . .

Ivan
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%