Getting a diagnosis?

[5elle]

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 🙂

[Snowie]

Hi @5elle 

Welcome to the forums. It sounds like you are really going through some difficult times at the moment. I acknowledge how hard it has been for you.

I can understand being worried about the government agencies needing a formal diagnosis and not being able to get one.

Unfortunately I think you need to find a psychiatrist who will be able to formally diagnose you. I know you have already tried this quite a number of times however. It took me quite a few times to find the right psychiatrist for me. One thing I found helpful is doing some research about the psychiatrist before I made an appointment. Finding out what they specialise in and where their interests lay. I did find out that this helped me.

I hope some other members might have a few more ideas for you.

We are here to support you.

[5elle]

Thanks @Snowie
The ones I've seen were recommended for me and my symptoms. I've also been through the register/directory thing of all Aus psychiatrists but can't find any that understand how adult autistic masking and psychosis work.
The initial appointments are so expensive too!

[Snowie]

it really does sound like you have done your research @5elle 

Unfortunately I don't have any other suggestions.

Hopefully there will be other forum members that can help.

[Misty5]

I have been diagnosed to death and for me the holy grail would be to be medication free. I'd go with the psychiatrist who wants to take you off your meds so you can get more joy out of life. It sounds like a lonely road you are on and voices can be interesting company even if they aren't always therapeutic. You can talk back to the voices and negotiate with them when you are planning to sleep etc.

From my experience, psychiatrists like to dole out the paperwork to the community team or a psychologist. If you want medication, the psychiatrist knows which diagnosis you need in order to get the PBS price. Good luck 🤞 

[5elle]

What's a community team?

[tyme]

I'm trying to see what you are referring to, but I think here it means your Area Mental Health Team? @5elle 

By the way, you can tag people so they get a notification of your post byt typing "@" in front of their name e.g. @tyme 

[5elle]

Thanks @tyme sorry but now I need to ask what is an area mental health team?

And @Misty5 if I just had voices I would be so happy. Pretty dangerous for me not to be medicated

[tyme]

Area mental health teams are linked to hospitals @5elle So the hospital refers you for follow-up treatment/appointments with the community team.

[5elle]

@tyme thank you. This must be why my GP said to go to hospital so they'll believe me. Unfortunately not an option or possible.