Posted by garnet71 on April 27, 2009, at 16:41:13
In reply to axis two features, posted by deerock on April 27, 2009, at 12:32:18
Forgive me if I said anything repetitive since I didn't read the other posts.
Get a full copy of your medical/therpay records - there will contain all the diagnosis codes.
Having a diagnosis of a personality disorder CAN affect job opportunities (esp. if you work in public service), court custody situations, etc., later down the road. Hence, it's important to find out. Unless those situations will never apply to you, you might want to just blow it off getting the records. Still, I think it's important to be proactive. I have a personal issue with future employement, knowing any mental health treatment at all affects my opportunities for the career fields I am considering for the future. General anxiety disorder. Any and all mental health treatment is investigated and considered for some career fields.
But it doesn't sound like she gave you a diagnosis; she said you had traits? Everyone in the world has some traits of personality disorders, and some only from time to time as a result of environmental factors. Just about everyone. Say a patient must meet 10 out of 15 criteria to be diagnosed w/the disorder-maybe you have 2 of the symptoms...for example. Big deal.
Overall this whole thing is bizarre-I've never heard of a therapist/dr not give a diagnosis. Plus, it's in your record. It's YOUR record-and you have a right to know what's contained in there. Therapists can be supenoed for records by the courts...
But what traits is she referring to? Say you tend to blame others for all your problems and don't take responsibility for things you've done-that's a sign of a personality disorder, just one example. Do you have an example of some of the traits T is referring to?
Personality disorders can be referred to as character disorders and are ingrained in one's behavior. You're right-they are very difficult to treat, but not impossible. All the better reason to find out what's up. There's no excuse for your T not being straight up with you, imo. What she labeled you with is followed by a trail of paperwork that may not go away. Get your records.
poster:garnet71
thread:893029
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20090421/msgs/893094.html