To ask this question about appointment with psychiatrist

[noodlesforlunch]

Writing here for traffic. I have booked an appointment with a private psychiatrist OCD.

My plan is to take medicine for some time and then come off it with the help of therapy and overall improved quality of life. I have had a lot of difficult circumstances, including a job loss recently, and don't have much support.

If But I am very scared of taking anti-depressants and about my psychiatric diagnosis being on medical record for life.

So my question are -

1. Is this possible to come off medication for OCD? I have moderate level OCD. Several years ago, I was able to get rid of OCD with the help of ERP / psychological treatment. I was ok for many years.

1. Do private psychiatrist share diagnosis with NHS?

1. Also, what is the attitude of psychiatrists in UK to give personality disorder diagnosis? I have read of a lot of negative patients experiences, so this is worrying me too.

I would really appreciate any insight into it. Thank you.

I didn't mean to enable voting on this.

anyone?

These are questions to ask the psychiatrist

Your psychiatrist may ask you if you agree to a letter being sent to your GP. I believe that you can refuse this.
Psychiatrists in the UK vary in their view of personality disorders as a diagnosis.
Presuming you are prescribed SSRIs they can be difficult to come off.
Do you not feel that ERP/psychological treatment would work again for you?

If you are given a prescription by a private doctor and don’t want it on your NHS records then you will presumably be paying for ongoing private prescriptions.

Thank you @AuntyElle. I tried Acceptance n commitment and psychodynamic therapies as I come from a dysfunctional family and there are many other types of stress in my life.
Therapy didn’t work. Also I don’t think some therapists think much about the distress a patient feel outside the session in real life and have no real framework.
My symptoms have increased despite being on therapy. I did not have ERP.
I am planning to medicines for some time and try to improve overall life conditions while on medicine. And take therapy by a therapist who specialise in ERP.
I didn’t know that SSRI are free for patients.

@noodlesforlunch - I can only answer your last one. I have EUPD - I have come across a few nasty/old fashioned attitudes but in general I have had a very positive experience. Most psychiatrists I have come across have a good understanding of EUPD - its causes, symptoms and treatment.

@noodlesforlunch - do you think you have a personality disorder?

I found that Clinical Psychology was amazing. Used a CAT framework to help me explore the root of my anxieties. Once we’d tackled the anxiety, the OCD behaviours massively diminished. So for me at least, the OCD was a symptom of the underlying anxiety rather than a condition in its own right, of that makes sense. I took meds to take the edge off the anxiety whilst I waited for psychology treatment - waiting list was about a year on the NHS. Then gradually withdrew meds as therapy progressed. Coming off the ADs wasn’t pleasant, but it is possible especially if you do it slowly. Hope you find what works for you.

Thanks for your replies @UndertheCedartree and @gavisconismyfriend

I don't think I have PD. But I have wondered in moments of doubt, if I am mildly BPD. But if I a bit objective, I don't have all symptoms and the ones I can relate to sometimes are mild.
I have become reactive and argumentative recently. I come from v dismissive and critical family, where success is celebrated and a failure is harshly judged. So each time I had a set back, I was told by a close family how much better they did. This attitude has started to hurt me a lot and I have started to react to these situations. I was far more accepting of this behaviour before thinking it was not meant the way it sounded. Now, I am the weird, sensitive one.

I wonder if I need to suck it up or it is normal to be sensitive in such situations. I have never self harmed or thought about it. I have self control but after repeatedly treated with no respect by a person, I start losing trust in the person and start maintaining distance, which has happened with my in-laws but I am told I keep grudges.

I am told I am all about myself as I have talked about my struggles, or my depression rather than being extra thoughtful of an elderly, manipulative relative, who tries to put me down on any opportunity. I have not insulted or ever was rude to such relatives but I started to maintain some distance. So sometimes I wonder if I am sensitive one, if I have lower tolerance. I come from an Asian culture.

I am in a lot of distress as I have no support. I will never have support of a loving human being as some people don't have that. Meanwhile my mental health is becoming worse. I feel it's best to take medicines initially and then work on self-esteem and other issues like gavisconismyfriend did.

@gavisconismyfriend, are you off ADs completely now?

Yes, off them completely and OCD behaviours not an issue now either. Getting to the root of the anxiety - the impact of having a highly demanding and critical family whose expectations I could never meet - made a huge difference. Not all plain sailing, I’ve been learning to put boundaries in place and inevitably family kick against them, it can be hard to remain determined. Also still some unhelpful self-sabotage behaviours, over-eating etc. But generally things are a million times better.