I self-identify as schizophrenic because I experience heavy negative and cognitive symptoms but am officially diagnosed as “bipolar with psychotic features”. I don’t experience cycling emotional extremes and I believe this diagnosis was given by the VA doctor to minimize the benefits I would be entitled to. It took over a decade of floundering personally and professionally before my disability rating was upgraded to 100%. I’m currently prescribed Latuda and Wellbutrin but my official diagnosis never changed. Would I get better meds and services with an official schizophrenia diagnosis?