Hello @Former-Member
My Mr Darcy has had a number of different diagnoses tendered by different pdocs so I can understand your frustration. In psychiatry there are a heap of symptoms that can point to a number of diagnostic possibilities and seeing patients at different phases of conditions can lead different pdocs to different conclusions which may account for the situation you find yourself in.
A wise pdoc once told me that she operates on what she calls a "diagnosis hypothesis", that is, as she interprets the things that pdocs do and formulates diagnosis, there may be more than one possibility for what could be causing the problem. A treatment plan is made with a 'working diagnosis' - that is the disorder she feels is the most likely and on which treatment is based. Time is often a big factor, as the pdoc gets to know the patient, makes further observations, finds out more of their history and symptoms. the diagnosis might be tweaked or changed, with some conditions being ruled out, others included.
So ... how can this help you with coping and knowing what to do?
From what you have said, your partner appears to have a confirmed diagnosis of schizoaffective and there now appears to be a difference of opinion as to whether or not an additional diagnosis of BPD applies, perhaps this could be viewed as a 'diagnosis hypothesis' and adopting a 'wait and see' approach might be one to consider with a view to this either being confirmed or ruled out as the pdoc continues to monitor and treat.
In the mean time, with your partners consent, the questions that I would be asking the pdoc are:
- How would this additional diagnosis affect the treatment that my loved one is having? Is so, what does this involve?
- is there anything I as a carer need to do differently that will help my loved one?
Hope this helps
Darcy
