Do I need to see a private psychiatrist or a psychologist for a personality disorder / cptsd diagnosis?

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I think I have either a personality disorder or cptsd. I've been to my GP and I just get referred to the local iapt service which offers CBT and only a few sessions.

My issues are deep rooted and my troubles have started from very very young. I want to change my life for the better and I've been struggling trying to do it on my own. I need the right help and what I need is going to have to be long term.

I want to start off first with a diagnosis so I know what the heck is actually wrong with me. That would be a starting point. At the moment I am flitting from self diagnosing myself with an anxiety disorder, a personality disorder or cptsd.. !

So my question is do I need to see a psychologist or a psychiatrist for this.

I know that it's not what you asked, but, I myself have CPTSD, and was given a course of 20 sessions cbt by a therapist via the doctor. I have to say that it changed my life (and that after a lifetime of struggle.. And I am almost 50 so it's many many years.) Not quite what you are looking for, I know, but until you get what you want I would not rule out the effectiveness of a really good cbt practioner. It could change your life too.

I would imagine yes for an actual diagnosis you would need to see a psychologist or psychiatrist.
I was given an informal diagnosis of cptsd by my therapist two years ago, I'd never heard the term before but she recommended the book The body keeps the score by Bessel van Der kolk and it has been the most helpful tool I have had in understanding my mental health and how to be productive in helping myself.
I have seen NHS psychiatrists and tbh they weren't helpful, standard diagnosis of depression/anxiety prescribed meds and sent packing.
I have had much more success with regular councilling, but , mental health is as unique as the individual.
I do empathise with your need to know what's 'wrong' I used to think I was a freak but as soon as I researched cptsd it just resonated so much and was a relief to start to understand why my brain works the way it does.
I wish you all the best op, just know you are far from alone.

Been under MH services for many years and get highest level of support outside of being an inpatient, tier 4 service and have direct access and promised assistance for life. All the people I have met through MH services who get access to a psychiatrist are a genuine danger to themselves and or others. I’m not saying you don’t feel terrible I’m also not saying MH services don’t make mistakes and people should perhaps have access to a psychiatrist.. But you are presenting to them as a low risk.

I don’t know what you said to your GP and how much you revealed but brutal honestly is required. Most people don’t reveal enough due to genuine fear especially if they have dc and worry social services will get involved. I got the most help when I 100% told the GP stuff I had never told anyone, I did end up with social services involved in my life and they were nothing but supportive. The best thing I did was admit the part I played in my own illness.

If you see a psychiatrist they will give you a diagnosis and possibly meds. It’s helpful but you may spend at most an hour with them. They don’t know you. I have had multiple psychiatrists and therapists, the therapy has helped me more.

If you did get a private diagnosis I have no idea if you can then use this to access NHS services. I did pay for some private therapy once and it was £50ph and this was a few years ago. I went for about six months once a week. I would imagine a consultation will be at least a £100 for an hour. It is very expensive.

I haven’t given you an exact answer just my experience of being given support at the highest level. There are many folk just having a bad time and incredibly sad and distressed at this level there are also the people that are prone to extremely difficult behaviours, act out, deliberately provoking and sometimes sadly violent. I could write other stuff but it is extremely triggering plus would break confidentiality about the things I have heard in group therapy and also just in passing from other patients. I can see exactly why they get a lot of support.