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Diagnosis process

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Lorien:
If you want to you could request history via your GP, but if I wanted to know specifically if a diagnosis was in place, I'd call the most recent Psychiatrist's Secretary and request just the most recent clinic letter. There is less chance of refusal, you don't get more information than you need and it won't take forever. Either that or ask your GP directly to check.

I never had an actual assessment for any personality disorder, but had various versions of EUPD or PDNOS recorded before my autism diagnosis when they realised that it was an incorrect diagnosis.despite the fact that I had a good 9 months having weekly appointments with a Psychiatrist at a Therapeutic Community for Personality Disorders.

I don't know if they are supposed to do an assessment as such or if they can use their judgement based on the criteria and a history. My Bipolar diagnosis was done this way - standard appointment discussing historic problems, then made more specific later when they saw patterns. I don't think everything has a full and structured assessment. In fact I'd be willing to bet that more things don't than do. If they have made a decision it will be recorded. But it may well say something like PDNOS, or traits of EUPD, or probable EUPD, depending on what they think. I don't see any problem with telling the GP/people that need to know that is what is written or a simple I don't know. That isn't self diagnosis, it's just passing on their wording.

Terri:
Late to the party, but...


Diagnoses are weird, I've decided. I've had a few over the years.
 
- Acute and transient psychotic disorder
- Depression
- GAD
- Schiophrenia
- Schioaffective disorder
- PTSD
- EUPD


They've settled on EUPD for the moment. I was once told that it wasn't diagnosed previously becasue I'm a 'lovely person who is not difficult' and professionals were trying to be kind by not labelling me with something that some perceive as a really negative diagnosis. I mean, what? Talk about massive amounts of stigma within the mental health profession towards a diagnosis that is often (though not always) a result of trauma.

I think Lorien is right that it's got a bit of a bad rep with MH professionals because we are not easily treatable and therefore challenge their skills. It is not as simple as popping a pill or having a bit of cbt. It requires intense, long-term therapy and professionals that will both validate you and call you out when your behaviours are unhelpful - in such a way that is genuine and from a place of concern rather than judgement.

I am super fortunate to live in an area that has a specialist service for those who eperience emotional intensity and associated issues. It took MH services 12 years of faffing about, drugging me up and detaining me before I happened to get a cpn who specialised in PDs. She worked with me for a while, figured out what was actually going on and now I'm on the right track. I had a 2 hour PD assessment to get diagnosed. Getting this diagnosis has changed my life for the better, thanks to the area of the country that I live in and the therapy available here. It's a bit of a postcode lottery though and I really feel for those who aren't in a location that offers specialist input. It must be a nightmare.

Things are changing. The stigma is still very real, but it is being challenged and even professionals are learning (albeit slowly.) I really hope you get some decent support soon. You deserve to be heard and to get access to treatment that will make your life feel more like you want to live it. Happy to answer any questions you have if you think that would be helpful. :hug2:

Turtle:
Thanks both :hug2: It all feels a bit redundant at the moment because my new GP is offering no support - but it's interesting hearing different insights about how people are diagnosed. It's all just tiring isn't it?

I ended up asking for my medical records in the end, and I did get them very quickly, but nothing much on them. It gave me my weight (significantly lighter than now - thanks Covid), patchy immunisation history and medication. I haven't actually had a psych appointment since I was 15? 16? I avoided services for ages after being discharged from CAMHS and just muddled through in my early 20s until everything was unmanageable. I think I was going to be asked to see a psych pre-Covid, but that all fell through and with current GP being unhelpful I guess I won't be asked now. So I don't think I'll be able to get any more particular insight into whether they've diagnosed me or not.

Oh Terri! I can't believe that comment about not diagnosing with EUPD because you're not difficult! Although at the same time, I can believe it because some mh professionals are... not the best. ::) The problem is it encourages people to be difficult - or 'manipulative' as people with EUPD/BPD are commonly labelled. It's all so silly. I'm glad stigma seems to be challenged more now. Thank you for all your insights and kind words and I'm so so pleased for you that you're getting the support you deserve now.

I guess different postcodes have different assessment processes and access to treatment - no great surprise but absolutely frustrating. I've moved around a *lot* over the past couple of years which has really muddled up everything - I guess means they can't do anything properly with me. My friend told me I should stay in one place for bit... But it's doubly frustrating because all the moving and chopping and changing is related to mh stuff. I get a big high, start something new, run into issues and get into a pickle. I can't settle on anything and nothing fills the big old hole inside. I really should have stayed in London - they were offering DBT when I was in a better place than I am now. I was intimidated by 18 month waiting list, but I'd have waited 10 months by now.

But I didn't and I'm not being offered support at all now and I'm too tired to fight for it right now - so it just feels redundant. But I do appreciate you both being kind and listening and offering advice - thank you :hug2:

Sorry - I'm sure I'm very muddly right now! Strange old week.

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