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Is it possible to change?

Posted , 3 users are following.

Terriann1964
Terriann1964

Hi I joined 2day to mayb c if there is hope 4 me in the future.

I am 50 as from 2day smile but I have been under the mental health sevice since my early 20s & was told I suffered from Depression, have been on various meds & seen various, Psychiatrists, docs, Counsellors,had different types of therapy, but none that made any difference.

About a year ago I was finally diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. They say its not an easy illness 2 diagnose.... yes tell me about it, took them about 30yrs 2 pick it up.

At 1st I was relieved that I finally knew what was wrong with me, but that didnt last long b4 the anger & frustration kicked in, this illness had been the cause 4 everything that had gone wrong in my life, & it effect every possible part of it that u can imagine & still is.

I have been offered a programme called Steps Programme, but my thoughts r how is it possible to make any kind of difference after all this time. They have finally realised that med doesnt help so have not been on any of that 4 some time.

Is it possible 2 teach an old dog new tricks?

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • richard89308
    richard89308 Terriann1964

    Posted

    I think that Drs treat the symptoms rather than commit to a diagnosis.  I am 50 and still haven't had a proper discussion about what my problems are. Psychiatrists are too cagey to give answers and they change every so often so you are back to square one again.

    Richard

  • NickOliver
    NickOliver Terriann1964

    Posted

    I know that it is frustrating that the pdocs have not been able to easily diagnose your problem. It is difficult enough with a physical illness and yet how much more so with a mental health problem. I once went to a pofessorial inaugural lecture on whether economics was an art or a science. One could imagine such a debate with psychiatry.

    I suffer from bipolar - I was on Lithium until recently - but I have never knowingly have had a manic episode.

    To be honest it is easier to say that I am bipolar - and then add that I am more depressive. My current psychiatrist has not said now that I am not bipolar - he probably doesn't think it helpful to keep on switching my label. And whilst there are downsides to being thought of as being bipolar there is probably the advantage of having a label - rather than just being known of as a depressive.

    At least being bipolar is something that is chemical and therefore not curable.

    By the way I discovered that I was considered to be bipolar by chance - there was a TV programme on about 15 years ago about people with psych issues. I told my pdoc that I had seen a case of a manic depressive. The doctor was a friend of his. It was clear from the way that I described it that I didn't realise that this was my diagnosis. He put me straight on that.

    By the way you do know that (in the UK) you are entitled to have a copy of any letter about you sent by your psychiatrist to your GP.

  • lynne05476
    lynne05476 Terriann1964

    Posted

    Hi Terriann, Yes i do believe you can teach an old dog new tricks but it depends on the motivation of the individual.I have had a bad year culminating in a diagnosis of Bi-polar disorder( started lithium & quatiapine) and borderline personality disorder aged 49yrs.Today I am managing my position as a band 6 nurse with a Wellness recovery action plan in place in case I go off quilter.I have a Gp who gets me and i see every 6-8wks with no problem booking online appts.My husband and daughter keep me well and have no problem giving me tough love if i'm going off on one.I suppose i've trusted enough people to be honest with and i've also developed a huge amount of self awareness and can pinpoint my triggers for a possible downward slide.I send you lots of support and luck for the future.

     

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