Lived Experience Forum

[Bobby2015]

Have other people had problems with finding understanding GP'S when you have mental illness.

I have BPD and have been through 30 GP'S and today another GP walked away and said BPD patients are to difficult for her and couldnt continue being my GP.

[chibam]

I really hate to sound unsympathetic and/or discouraging, but I'm surprised you've been able to find so many alternative GPs at all. When I first started exploring the option of going in to therapy I needed to find an alternative GP who was part of some kind of scheme that aloud patients to get discount therapy. But virtually every GP clinic I phoned was refusing to take new patients - they were all too busy.

That being said, long story short I eventually had to get my regular GP involved in my therapy situation. In fact, he was really the only GP I ever dealt with regarding therapy, ect. I wouldn't say that he was either sympathetic or unsympathetic, but more like he knew his role in the process and performed it as kindly and un-judgementally as one could hope for. He was essentially reduced by the government to being a beaurocrat in the process. Medicare required certain documents to be filled out by him in order for me to see certain people and access certain discounts, so he'd fill that paperwork out for me without any muss or fuss.

[Former-Member]

I have found it hard to find gps that I'm comfortable with and when I left hospital they tried to make me appts with several who are mental health focussed ladies but I couldn't get in, then the lady I did go see was just ... Well we didn't mesh and she was very naive about life's crap stuff. Now seeing a man who is really lovely and knowledgeable but I find it really difficult because he's a man... I guess sometimes we have to go with what's available and try to make it work. I'm sorry to hear your most recent dr walked away though, do u have a psychiatrist? Perhaps they can help set something up and advise a gp about their role and your needs,
Good luck
Lj

[Bobby2015]

All The Gp's were for just my general health and not for my bpd. l ony have just started therapy recently. All the dr's have said they were happy to work with my general health, Im backing up the GP'S so the problem l think is if the bpd raises  its head they dont have the skills to assist me and they really are only general practioners and not mental health proffesionals so they dont have the time to assist me if needed.

[Appleblossom]

Isnt that why they recognise the limits of being a generalist and refer you to specialist ... to look after that aspect ... but still continue being your goto doctor as first point of call?

Sorry your doctor walked away.  I had difficulty getting a GP who would work well with me but when it happened it was a life saver ...

They are individuals .. keep trying ... the next one may be really good fit.

[Crazy_Bug_Lady]

Wow @Bobby2015 I'm sorry you are being treated so poorly by GPs. I think alot have no real understanding of mental illness. That being said, as @Appleblossom wrote, they should understand their limitations and get a specialist involved in your care...

It's hearing stories like this that make me even more grateful for my GP. I went to him about SH, and he helped me gain the confidence to seek from a psychologist, then medication, and finally a psychiatrist.
I'm not being corny when I say that I literally owe him my life.

[Bobby2015]

Thanks crazy_bug_lady, l got a phone call this afternoon from my case manager and got told a appointment was made to a GP who saw me this afternoon and she understands BPD and is willing to work with me and my clinical team, its a relief.

[Crazy_Bug_Lady]

Fingers crossed for you @Bobby2015!!!