MDD: persistently low or depressed mood, anhedonia or decreased interest in pleasurable activities, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, lack of energy, poor concentration, appetite changes, psychomotor retardation or agitation, sleep disturbances, or suicidal thoughts
MDD can easily be mistaken for SCT/CDS (and the other way around). I think the main difference is: SCT/CDS is there from 3 years old. It shows in kindergarten already with dreamy-ness, drifting off, lethargy, lack of attention, etc. Usually there is no feelings of worthlessness. Usually no sleep disturbances. No suicidal thoughts.
When I appeared at the psychiatrist I just said: tired all the time and can't focus and sometimes it is like what I am hearing is not arriving in my brain (processing issues). I can see why he misdiagnosed me with MDD initially.
I have learned that the more specific you are about your symptoms the less likely you get misdiagnosed. Re SCT/CDS: psychiatrists don't know this so it may take time until they understand: this is not a patient who refuses another more stigmatised diagnosis, but someone whose issues do not match the common labels. A good psychiatrist will become curious eventually. Because of the communication issues with SCT/CDS which might appear like shyness but are really part of the whole slow processing it can be difficult to explain. I brought family members in the end who were able to explain how things are at home, that I am not depressed, sleepless or emotionally volatile but appear foggy, drifting off, dreamy, lethargic, tired, sometimes not responding when spoken to (like in another world), and that this matches more an attention disorder.
I wish I had done that sooner. If you feel misunderstood bring family members or friends who have known you for some time.
so have you gotten a psychiatrist to actually diagnose you with SCT/CDS?
I have a psychiatrist who (after 4 years) can clearly see that this is not a standard label disorder and willing to learn from me and listen to my experience. They cannot diagnose you with SCT/CDS because for insurance purposes it must be an officially recognised DSM disorder. I can accept that. What is important for me is that behind closed doors we are talking about SCT and ways to manage this.
You're not in southern California are u? Would love to try your psychiatrist if so.
I cant seem to find any SCT advocates, or even ones that would even being open to it after years
I am not in the US. Sorry. Instead of naming it SCT, keep insisting on your SCT symptoms (if this is what you are struggling with most). Be as specific as possible. Mention things like: I have looked into various self-help groups for depression, ADHD, autism etc. but cannot identify (I suppose you have looked into other DSM disorders). Name your symptoms as specific as possible. Tell them it resembles ADHD, at times even autism but I cannot fully identify: most importantly insist that this has been there from 3-4 years old and that this is neurodevelopmental. Also, sometimes when we are not sure ourselves or secretly want a diagnosis that is more mainstream and easier to address we doubt our own experience. On the other hand: if SCT and the whole kindergarten and school issues of attention deficit, drifting off, resembling ADHD inattentive are also not really your experience be open for other causes (there is a new post on possible other causes).