Why do so many mds assume depression/anxiety when they can't find the problem?my former md did this and missed my lupus diagnosis.i wasn't depressed!

I disagree: All psychiatric diagnoses are not just from elimination. Many psychiatric conditions may have other phsical conditions in the differential. Also, many psychiatric conditions may also be misdiagnosed as other medical conditions. Many times it may be difficult to make an accurate diagnosis of a condition. It is unfotunate that the lupus was missed by your first physician.

Two sets of factors: 1) sle can present with vague symptoms of fatigue, malaise, muscle aches & joint pains that wax & wane without specific physical findings + neuropsychiatric manifestations like cognitive dysfunction, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, & psychosis. 2) hmo's/ insurance companies dictate time constraints for doctors & penalize those who order "unnecessary" tests. 1+2 = ⬆ed risk of misdiagnoses.