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Getting a diagnosis?

5elleContributor28 Dec 2024, 4:18 pm AEDT

Getting a diagnosis?

Hi! I'm new here and my first post but me, my GP and psychologist are a bit stuck.

I have psychosis (auditory, touch, smell, visual hallucinations and delusions), derealisation/depersonalisation symptoms and what was thought to be anxiety/depression with hypomania. Also autistic level 2 very high masking, which has been diagnosed.

The trouble is I am having is finding a psychiatrist who is willing to give me a diagnosis or do a diagnostic work up or even just put my symptoms in a report or in writing. I have one who medicates me but also won't diagnose. I tried a second opinion and they told me I'm " just a bit anxious" but also "a very complex case and will only get worse" and also refused to entertain a diagnosis. Another psychiatrist told me to stop taking my meds.

I'm a bit too complex for my psychologist to do a formal diagnosis.

I don't really care what's wrong with me, I'm very good at grounding and mindfulness which manages some of it but I have no family in the state and no close friends I can call on for help so rely on formal support through disability pension and NDIS.

My worry is both of these government supports need things in writing usually and I can't seem to get this.

Any tips, tricks or hacks in getting a written diagnosis would be gratefully received, thanks 🙂

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In response to: Getting a diagnosis?

5elleContributor16 Feb 2025, 7:04 pm AEDT

Re: Getting a diagnosis?

Cheers @tyme

So many reasons. I'm level 2 autistic, places like hospitals I need to have all my spoons or hopefully I'll shut down (can't talk, communicate and trouble comprehending). If I melt down I'll be trying to pull meat out of my arms and shoulders.

I have no family in the state, live out of town alone with no close neighbours and no real friends.

If I derealise I don't think I'm on earth so the idea of hospitals even existing doesn't occur to me. My psychosis and delusions usually revolve around people trying to get me so there's no way I can leave the house under my own steam because they're outside. I try to remember I can phone the police but I never do.

On a practical note I have pets. Who is going to feed them if I go away?

Tl;dr Yeah so no to hospitals. Trying really hard to stay out of them.

In response to: Re: Getting a diagnosis?

tymeModerator16 Feb 2025, 7:11 pm AEDT

Re: Getting a diagnosis?

Hearing you @5elle . I guess what happens is that once you are connected with the hospital and community mental health, THEN CATT services are available. They can some to your house.

But I also hear about your pets. It really limits your options.

There are some community outreach services, but it depends on where you live, but once again, you need someone to look after your pets.

SANE has a Guided Recovery service, but that is more psychsocial support as opposed to clinical support. https://www.sane.org/referral

In response to: Re: Getting a diagnosis?

5elleContributor16 Feb 2025, 7:21 pm AEDT

Re: Getting a diagnosis?

Thanks again @tyme

The wording around recovery programs always makes me nervous. Pretty sure I can't recover from autism or lifelong psychosis and it makes me think of Trumps "wellness farms".

I was really just looking to see if anyone had some tips for getting a diagnosis on paper. For Centrelink really. But I appreciate the effort and input

In response to: Re: Getting a diagnosis?

tymeModerator16 Feb 2025, 7:31 pm AEDT