Advice please

[confusedmum16]

I've had 3 appointments with my mental health nurse. I've struggled with my emotions, life and daily tasks since I was a child, I've a whole list of things I struggle with but I won't bore you 😅 they keep saying it's depression/ trauma but I know it's more than that, I've tried therapy and so far tried 3 antidepressants that have no effect on my state of mind, everyday is a struggle I've expressed this to my MHN but she is very reluctant to refer me to a psychiatrist to be formally diagnosed with any problems I may have& to get the correct treatment that will help me. I feel like other people have control over my life and I feel like I can't cope anymore.

What do you think it is OP? Have you tried what they have suggested?

Possibly ADHD & BPD. Yes I've done there online work books and other things they have suggested but I'm still in the same place

Can you ask your gp to get you referred so you can get tested?

My GP keeps passing everything to the MH nurse & he won't refer me if she says it's not needed

Will they refer you to psychology? Mine have got an autism assessment. Personality disorders are complex though. Personally I wouldn’t want a diagnosis of one. Theyve tried to label me with them in the past but I think they can be quite lazy and use it as a lazy diagnosis.
But if you think it would help, then keep fighting for a psych appt.

Yes they have referred me to psychology which I am thankful and grateful for but for me I feel like I need to know exactly what's wrong with me, only a psychiatrist can diagnose you ( I didn't know this) which is frustrating, apparently only the people who can't function completely get seen by a psychiatrist! Definitely not true, I'm not sure why they are reluctant to refer me, the whole situation is draining the main reason I've not reached out for help until this year.

I was diagnosed with a personality disorder by an NHS clinical psychologist so I don’t think only psychiatrists can provide diagnosis.

@AmyFarahFowlerIsMyHero that's made me feel tons better! My Mental health nurse told me that for a diagnosis I would need to see a psychiatrist. What part of the U.K. are you from? I'm Scotland wondering if it's different here perhaps, hoping not as that would mean I can relax and wait for my appointment with psychology.

I’m in England and it was thirty years ago so it could possibly be different now.
NHS clinical psychologists have rigorous training though, so they should be qualified to diagnose.
Hopefully someone else on here can provide more recent advice.

Currently in general you have to be diagnosed by a Psychiatrist unless I guess, your local NHS trust has a policy that says a Psychologist can diagnose, although I am not sure how that would work because the Psychiatrist usually diagnoses and does the meds management.
OP, don’t pursue a diagnosis of BPD. It’s a complete stigma sentence and you will be discriminated against by all sorts of medical professionals once they see it on your record. If you present, and are provided with the diagnosis, fair enough, but don’t go in there suggesting it, believe me. X

Crikey is that true? Do they routinely stigmatise other serious mental health disorders like Bipolar and Schizophrenia? Bad enough pockets of general public stigmatise. I assumed this would be the case with medical professionals.

No, just personality disorders. X