Lived Experience Forum

[traybit]

Today when at the doctors I learned that a psychiatrist I saw for an hour almost 2 years ago diagnosed me with borderline personality disorder. I've been almost house bound for years because of anxiety, as well as a range of other things including depression and panic attacks.. Then to find out that this was in a report almost 2 years ago and I only found out today!!
I'm so upset I don't know what to even say about it.. I can see myself in the description on BPD so I don't think it was wrong exactly.. But how can almost 2 years go by without me being told?!? I'm so confused.

[NikNik]

Wow @traybit - you have every right to be confused!

Can you clarify - were you seeing another professional today, which shared that information with you, or did you go back to the same psychiatrist today? If the same one, did he/she offer any explanation?

A 1 hour consultation does seem like a short time to make that diagnosis - what did the doctor recommend the next step to be?

[traybit]

I was in with my gp today asking for a health assessment thingo, to go with my application for disability pension. I've only seen that psychiatrist once.. Through a telemed, basically through a web cam because of distance. There is no next step.. I stay on the meds I've been taking, keep seeing my counciler ... Nothing has been said, nothing had been done.. I just looked at the paperwork and read borderline personality disorder.

[CherryBomb]

Hi @traybit,

I second what @NikNik said, it sounds very confusing! I can only imagination how it would have felt have to have struggled and suffered for the past few years and then only find out this useful bit of information.

May I ask why you only saw that psych once? It's a bit hard to speculate why things turned out the way they have, but I can certainly understand you desire to what know how and why this happened. It just does't sound quite right.

CB

[traybit]

Where I live I the country it's very difficult to see anyone. The closest psychiatrist is about a 5 hour drive, and I'm pretty sure if/when they come here they are booked months ahead. Basically the only time I know of anyone seeing one is after a stay in hospital because you have basically lost it for a while. Then they get an evaluation when they can arrange it, usually a few weeks later, and you go back to your GP. Living in a country town .. Lol!!

[traybit]

I guess I'd have to ask my GP to go and see one again.

[CherryBomb]

Living in the country can make things complicated. As you have pointed out access services is tough. Some of our member @Former-Member and @eth can relate to this.

As for why, you didn't have this information about BPD - I'm perplexed!

Is there any way, you could speak with that psych to find out why?

[traybit]

Tbh I doubt he would remember me. I was a few hours out of his day almost 2 years ago. When I see my GP in 2 weeks I'll be asking about it though. I kinda thought this would be a bigger deal. I see her at least once a month, lately every 2 weeks. I'm guessing the GP thought I knew what the report said? Because I already knew his recommendations for my medication... He told me that in the conference. But he said nothing at the time about what he thought was wrong with me.

[CherryBomb]

@traybit, that sounds like a good starting point - seeking clarification with your GP. 

It's an odd situation to have happened. But I hope that it gives you something to work with in terms of your own mental health.

[Former-Member]

Hi @traybit and @CherryBomb ,
I've had a similar experience with psychiatrist reports. When I was a witness giving evidence in a criminal case the defense produced emails between my gp and psychiatrist that I then had to read out to court and I didn't know about some of the things in there and trust me it was a terrible feeling learning it at the same time as a room full of people judging me.

It's very difficult to get appts where i am and when I do they're often rearranged at last minute which is a nightmare with no childcare. I also find it difficult being a telemed / Skype type of set up .

Are we or should we be asking for reports? I don't know - ever since court though I've been much more reluctant to be too open with medical professionals.
I wish there was some more support for you where you are @traybit , would it b worth asking your gp if he thinks it would b worth seeing a psychiatrist again so you could ask more detailed questions and find out what specific options there are for you?
Lj