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Personality disorder undiagnosed

Posted , 5 users are following.

gabriella44865
gabriella44865

I've come back from an assessment with a psychiatrist very disappointed. After years of wondering why I am the way I am and feeling very out of place in the world I thought I had found the answer when I stumbled across Schizoid Personality Disorder. I could strongly relate to all the symptoms. So with this self-awareness I went to see my psychiatrist hoping for a diagnosis. She said she could not diagnose me with the condition because whilst i have ALL the symptoms I am not in distress by my personality traits because I said I accept that I'm like this and I don't want to change. She said that in order for a diagnosis of a personality disorder the patient must be distressed by their condition rather than in acceptance of it. I personally feel this is her lack of experience of coming across people in her psychiatry office that have managed to reach a place of acceptance - after all, most people are likely to want to see their psychiatrist because they want help with something where as I was there purely for a diagnosis. I would love to hear over people's thoughts on this scenario. 

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • bikerjools55
    bikerjools55 gabriella44865

    Posted

    Hi have you considered asking for an appointment with a psychologist instead, I hate psychiatrists as I feel they just want to throw meds at you, I speak from experience having been in mh hospital numerous times and out patient. I was having psycolgist input from ed team and she diagnosed borderline personality disorder 2 years ago, I'm 53 and like you I have struggled to fit in anywhere, awful behavioural problems in childhood,very addictive personality etc etc. It did help me as at least I understood where I was coming from good luck here to talk

    • gabriella44865
      gabriella44865 bikerjools55

      Posted

      Thank you for your suggestion. Who would be able to refer me to see a psychologist - is that something my psychiatrist can do or would I need to go back to the GP and ask them? 
    • bikerjools55
      bikerjools55 gabriella44865

      Posted

      I would probably go back to gp , depending on where you live you might have to wait a while, good luck
  • hypercat
    hypercat gabriella44865

    Posted

    Hi this doesn't make sense as why would you contact a psychiatrist unless you had a problem that was distressing you?  What a silly thing to say.  I agree to try and counsellor instead.  x

    • gabriella44865
      gabriella44865 hypercat

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. I think it's partly my fault and you know when you reply something in your mind and wish you could go back and do it differently? Well that's how I'm feeling about the assessment! I should have made it clear to her that I'm only ok with being the way I am when I'm able to be in situations that allow me to be true to myself but as soon as I'm in public contexts living with my personality disorder is very very challenging and poses me great distress! I wish I could go back now but I think she might have a follow up with me so I'll put that to her next time. 

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