Interesting

[Xila31]

So, I spoke with a psychologist today, different than the one I saw that diagnosed certain things in me. She said she does not think I have borderline BPD. She said that it may have come up in a diagnostic test but she does not see some of the key traits in me. She has known me for about 2 years, this particular psychologist, although I do not see her as a provider since she is not practicing. Anyway, she said it is something for me to get a second opinion on testing wise. She also said some psychologists are more interested in putting borderline on a person rather than bipolar, since borderline people have some similar mood by appearance. Maybe to avoid putting such a heavy diagnosis on someone? Not sure.

I found that interesting.

[Xila31]

Well, I work in health care and I have been in many meetings with docs and reps. There are some that are as you say, but around here docs either are too busy to meet with the reps or if they do, they constantly lord their "I'm a doctor, and you're a moron" attitude over them. There is now a law in the states that makes it illegal to pass out any non-educational material (pens, mugs, note pads,) to health care facilities.

Anyway, a psychologist is a doctor who can diagnose but not prescribe meds. I was diagnosed by my GP and diagnosis is supported by a psychologist. I guess it is tough to get in to a psychiatrist around here, as they are less common than psychologists, but I plan on seeing one sometime this year. It is tough to be in the middle, (low income with insurance, too high income for Medicade.) Last year I was only able to see a psychologist on the employee assistance program at my job, which only allows 3 visits per year with a mental health professional.

[monkeyc]

Im astounded at psychologists doing diagnoses for mental illness. In AU it might be done  by a GP but its a psychiatrist who confirms the diagnosis, a psychologist never does a diagnosis here, theyre talk therapists.

Down under the reality is most GP's are useless when it comes to mental illness, they do one subject and a rotation in mental health and thats it, asking the average GP to diagnose a mental illness means one thing - Anti Depressants, which they hand out like lollies and particularly Prozac - this is really usefull if you are Bipolar as a mixed episode is a great way to meet psychiatrists - they have them in the hospital.

Of course what AD you get is heavily dependant on which drug rep has visited recently.  Don't believe me?  Sit down in a room with a effexor clock and an effexor pen and the doctors coffee much says effexor and guess what script you are getting :)

A second diagnosis is a great idea - get a Psychiatrist and do a proper differential diagnosis, its best to be sure

[Xila31]

I just don't know. Because, when I was growing up my mom was sick. She was no abusive or anything, but I always felt alone. My memories of my dad was he was either angry or joking or at work. After she died, I was home alone. My dad would leave me dinner. He worked evenings and I was asleep before he came home. Emotionally, I was a mess, and reaching out only taught me not to reach out because no one cares, no one listens, and if they do no one believes you.

So, I wasn't abused. But I was alone. I wasn't abandoned. I was just alone. So I don't know if that in itself causes BPD. I don't know. All I know is what I am told by people with degrees and experience.

[paranoid_cataclysm]

The general practitioner I first saw for my mental illness was kind of like this.  She only had a check list of bipolar disorder and thus would only diagnose it but of course she told me I needed to get a real diagnosis which she was apparently wrong but I guess this is to be expected considering the circumstances.