If I get a diagnosis after seeing a psychiatrist privately, will it be on my health record?

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I strongly suspect I have EUPD (emotionally unstable personality disorder) and want to know for certain / have a diagnosis if apt.

I'm considering paying privately to see a psychiatrist as I don't want this on my medical record, the condition is still far too stigmatised and its not something I want to keep to myself.

Any subsequent therapy I have will be had privately too, funds permitting.

If I don't give consent for this information to be shared with my GP, can it be kept completely confidential and not appear on my health record?

It is something I want to keep to myself, rather.

Supposing a private psychiatrist recommended a prescription, and possibly regular blood tests to monitor that prescription, would you be prepared to fund that on a private basis forever?

@Spaghag

Supposing a private psychiatrist recommended a prescription, and possibly regular blood tests to monitor that prescription, would you be prepared to fund that on a private basis forever?

As far as I'm aware there isn't any BPD specific medication that can be prescribed. I have a friend with diagnosed BPD who's GP prescribe antidepressants. I have a history of depression so could access SSRI's without going into the hypothetical diagnosis.

The DBT therapy I want, which is the golden syanfard for EUPD, is virtually impossible to get via the NHS so I'll be getting that privately.

I might feel differently in a year or two but for now it's not something I'm prepared to share.

Also, why would you not want a diagnosis on your medical record? Are you concerned you might need a life insurance report, occupational health report etc doing & it would make life difficult for you?

If it's more because the local gossip works at the GP surgery you can get your computer file restricted. So only a certain seniority of staff can access it.

Cross post, sorry.

In that case, there's nothing to stop you seeking a private opinion. No information can be shared without your consent.

Just be aware that all aspects would have to be privately funded. The GP would obviously only take depression into account if prescribing, so that may make the most useful antidepressant for EUPD unavailable (if there is such a thing).

Lastly, it's also worth remembering that if you do have concerns about this ever being flagged on a GP medical report, you may well be duty bound to disclose everything on that report anyway (if it's for life insurance etc).

You would not need a formal diagnosis of BPD to have DBT privately. You could see a psychologist / psychotherapist who does DBT and has experience of BPD and they could discuss if you fit the diagnostic criteria and talk through if DBT would be helpful for you. In your shoes, I would concentrate on getting DBT rather than a formal diagnosis. It's been a life changer for me.

@Spaghag

Also, why would you not want a diagnosis on your medical record? Are you concerned you might need a life insurance report, occupational health report etc doing & it would make life difficult for you?

If it's more because the local gossip works at the GP surgery you can get your computer file restricted. So only a certain seniority of staff can access it.

A couple of reasons really

One being I have a baby (whom i care for exceptionally well) but it's widely known that BPD/EUPD in new mums is a 'red flag' and I don't want the interference that comes with it being known.

I've had bad experiences in the past when trying to access mental health support and I've been well and truly put off by the NHS.

The friend I mentioned who has BPD, she got a safeguarding referral at her antenatal booking in appointment based on her diagnosis alone despite being stable for many years.

I just want to access professional help without the additional worry of people hand wringing about whether my (again hypothetical at the moment) diagnosis makes me a shit mum.

Thank you spag, you raise valid points

Cyber, thank you too. That's actually a good idea and I didn't consider that. Do you have a formal diagnosis or didn't you pursue one?

AFAIK, medication is not prescribed for BPD/EUPD although many people may also suffer from anxiety or depression and have medication for those. As you say, OP, DBT is the gold standard treatment for BPD and has a very impressive success rate, as in ppl often no longer fit diagnostic criteria after periods doing DBT.

@Cyberworrier

AFAIK, medication is not prescribed for BPD/EUPD although many people may also suffer from anxiety or depression and have medication for those. As you say, OP, DBT is the gold standard treatment for BPD and has a very impressive success rate, as in ppl often no longer fit diagnostic criteria after periods doing DBT.

Would you mind sharing a bit about your DBT? How much does it cost you on a monthly basis for example? I completely understand if you don't want to go into the finances

I was referred for DBT ages ago on the nhs as I fit many of the criteria. I ended up finding someone private for DBT instead and discussed getting a formal diagnosis with her. She ran through diagnostic criteria informally, but recommended being cautious about getting a formal diagnosis because of issues that can come from that, as you outline OP. I now feel at peace with that, as the main thing has been getting the DBT and being able to live a lifer worth living. Also, I do really trust and value my former therapist and I'm glad I took her advice.

Sure, DBT full treatment is individual therapy and group classes. I've only ever done one at a time, I saw my therapist weekly for £70 a session for several years and have also done DBT groups which were about the same price I think.

@Cyberworrier

I was referred for DBT ages ago on the nhs as I fit many of the criteria. I ended up finding someone private for DBT instead and discussed getting a formal diagnosis with her. She ran through diagnostic criteria informally, but recommended being cautious about getting a formal diagnosis because of issues that can come from that, as you outline OP. I now feel at peace with that, as the main thing has been getting the DBT and being able to live a lifer worth living. Also, I do really trust and value my former therapist and I'm glad I took her advice.

Thank you for validating my concerns about a diagnosis being recorded and shared, hearing that come anecdotally from a therapist is very helpful.

Many people who haven't dealt with the stigma or seen how it affects others may call somebody paranoid for wanting to keep it confidential, or assume they have something in particular to hide.

Perhaps I should put off pursuing a diagnosis and focus on accessing DBT, as you suggested.

It'll save me another £360 too

Definitely recommend getting DBT without a diagnosis. DBT is used for other condiments too, so no diagnosis necessary.

Private psychiatrist probably won’t agree to see you without consent to share information with your GP, being private and accessed on a fee paying basis they aren’t in a position to take continuous overall responsibility for your health care/the bigger picture, so they’ll usually want your GP to be kept in the loop so that they can monitor and follow up in future.

By all means ask the question but I’ve accessed a private psychiatrist, a gastroenterologist and a cardiologist in the last 18 months and all of them have written to my GP after every appointment/procedure.

I see my psychiatrist on Zoom every month at significant cost, but the goal of private assessment/treatment has always been to ultimately get to a point where my care can be passed back to my GP. He can’t and won’t take medical responsibility for my mental health forever, it’s just not how healthcare in England is set up.

By the way, I do know several mums with EUPD who are brilliant.

Seems like a great plan to access the therapy without necessarily seeking a formal diagnosis if that would work!

I've seen a private psychiatrist and not given consent to contact GP.

They won't prescribe though without it.

Totally understand why you wouldn't want that on your medical records. It's a really stigmatised condition especially among medical professionals.

Glad that was helpful OP. Yes, definitely no point seeing a psychiatrist in your circumstances. I'd be looking up where to access DBT locally or on BACP for people with experience with DBT.

You have been given really good advice above, if you think you have BPD its best to keep it off record because of the stigma and focus on going straight to DBT, I personally wouldn't even recommend to the therapist s you think you have it, just describe what your struggling with because even Professionals stigmatise it, I hope everything goes well for you

There's a theory a lot of women diagnosed with eupd actually have undiagnosed asd or adhd. Obviously only you will know if this applies to you but possibly worth looking into if you haven't before. I mentioned this to someone else a while ago and they then realised they had adhd (and had it diagnosed). Hope this doesn't sound dismissive.

@OliviaBond

There's a theory a lot of women diagnosed with eupd actually have undiagnosed asd or adhd. Obviously only you will know if this applies to you but possibly worth looking into if you haven't before. I mentioned this to someone else a while ago and they then realised they had adhd (and had it diagnosed). Hope this doesn't sound dismissive.

Not at all, quite the opposite.

Coincidentally the thought has also crossed my mind about ADHD. I do fit quite alot of the criteria. I might have both, who knows

I'd be less worried about seeking an NHS diagnosis for ADHD mind you. It's just the waiting lists. They're so long.

Thank you all so much for the replies and advice, all very helpful ❤️

I second a previous poster about accessing DBT as a treatment rather than pursuing a diagnosis as it can impact what services will accept you in the future if you did need any mental health support (it shouldn’t in theory but in practice it does!). If you’re happy to have the therapy without the diagnosis then I’d personally go with this.

I have a diagnosis of EUPD. I have a perfectly normal life, am a single parent of 3 and hold down a good job and a living relationship.

You do the work, you show up and own your struggles. You forgive yourself and practice active self care. You learn to love yourself.

It's not a life sentence op.