Welcome! Introduce yourself here 🙂

Im new, im 47, im from nsw, i used to be on meds for Anxiety and depression, but from long term use, ended up with insomnia, i have other neurological disorders from a birth injury

Hi,

I'm 46yo male from QLD. Just had my second therapy session. Don't think my psychologist believes that I could make it through this far without seeing someone before now. Possible (Quiet) BPD with CPTSD however my therapist doesn't deal with that. While they can help with general tools I need help because I know it's going to be a long term thing. Really need to go through BPD assessment so that at the very least I have some peace of mind as to what I am dealing with. If anyone has any advice or knows where I can go to get a definitive answer it would be helpful.

Thanks

D

Hey @Shadow77 ,

Welcome to a world of BPD. I have to say I’ve lived a BPD life for a few decades now. I was diagnosed through my local hospital after a few emergency visits.

I then had treatment through Victoria’s BPD specialist clinic, Spectrum. I has been an incredible experience and I’m now in a great place. Better than pre-BPD actually.

Having the diagnosis helps with accessing specific therapies as talking therapies are shown to be the most helpful.

Do you see a psychiatrist?

Psychologist. I managed to get an appointment quickly so I took it not realising where I would end up once I went down the rabbit hole. Went through a breakup and had a dissociative episode the last time I saw my ex. Breakup was sudden and unexpected.

Have a look here. It may be helpful for you @Shadow77

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/borderline-personality-disorder-bpd

Have already been through there, the problem is getting to see someone or talk to someone who can diagnose BPD.

That would be done by a psychologist or psychiatrist, hence I asked about whether you see a psychiatrist also @Shadow77 . Any chance you can see one? Or would your psychologist write a BPD assessment report? It is understandable why you want a formal diagnosis.

She's not familiar with BPD. I'm trying to find out where to go atm to get a formal diagnosis. I can't afford the $1500 some places want to charge.

Fair enough @Shadow77 if she is not familiar with BPD.

I think it's about looking for a psychiatrist in your area. Surely you aren't expected to pay for something you pretty much already know....

As I said, I was diagnosed in hospital... it wasn't a long letter or report... it was just a short discharge letter to my GP to say that I had BPD. That's as 'formal' as I got for mine. I can't say anyone actually asks for the paperwork or anything. Even in my admission to the BPD specialist clinic, it wasn't as though I had to prove I had BPD.

If you have a look at the BPD traits, and 5 of these traits affect your daily functioning, then maybe that's all you need? Otherwise, would your GP or psychologist be able to recommend someone to you?

I think mb I just need to get in touch with the local mental health unit. Made it through the worst part without anyone. Few scars but otherwise ok.

I have a 5 page document that I did that puts different behaviours of mine into the categories. It is how I always remember being from the time I was a child. There's something in all of them, I guess because I internalise things it's meant no one thought I had issues.