I am kind of upset because I just figured out a question I’ve had for over ten years since I started seeing psychiatrists. They originally diagnosed me with depression and then BPD, when they diagnosed me with BPD they told me they don’t prescribe any meds for BPD. This weekend I’ve come to see I VERY clearly have schizophrenia or schizoaffective. Whichever fits, but when I was diagnosed with BPD I now believe that was an eight month long excited catatonia episode and they didnt do a very thorough history AND at the time was not diagnosed with autism, which complicated symptom reporting to a large degree. I don’t even think I have bipolar tbh.
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Maybe they misdiagnosed, but it could have also been too early to get diagnosed.
First they diagnosed me with psychosis, then chronic psychosis and then sz.
It’s a process that can take many years to get the sz diagnosis.
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I started seeing them at 18 as soon as I could afford it because I had been wanting it for years because I thought I may have sz or BPD before I knew what BPD was. They diagnosed me with depression. Then in 2013 I turned 21 and had my first psychotic episode. Drs in the er said psychotic disorder. Out patient said BPD after one or two sessions. I started telling Drs off the bat I had BPD before I got diagnosed with autism in 2016. Then my sz came back in an abusive relationship that is very clearly now looking back and abusive one. I was 27. Drs diagnosed me with sza OCD autism and PTSD. And now here I am at 31 having the most obvious schizophrenia symptoms of my life and I’m freaking out because I might be one of those types that just get worse with age
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You’re under a lot of stress, it’s normal that you’re getting an increase in symptoms.
I think you need to think about a med increase, a lot of rest and avoiding triggers that stress you.
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I’m taking time off work and my boyfriend has been my caretaker
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I see my Dr next week
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Misdiagnosis is not that uncommon. I was initially diagnosed with undifferentiated schizophrenia in 2020, schizoaffective, bipolar back to schizoaffective, autism , possible adhd, at this point I just trust the treatment and try not to think too much about the diagnosis… I just know I had psychosis and that’s all that matters I guess… they didn’t do a very through evualtion for my schizophrenia / sza / bipolar diagnosis cos the only time I was in hospital was during my second psychosis 4 years ago.
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It’s not the misdiagnosing that bothers me it’s the lack of support and treatment. All the years of self blame and abuse over ■■■■ I had no control over, was begging for help for, and was neglected because everyone thought I was either fine or had BPD or just depression
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I get that too. when you are on top of it, and you’re taking your meds like clockwork, they get to tick a box and don’t care… you want help but they don’t think your a priority.
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They always gave me the schizoaffective diagnosis since I was 20
My last therapist who was the first who diagnosed me with DID at 32 said that “well you’re definitely not bi-polar” and my new therapist said “you’re definitely not schizophrenic”
I said to my pdoc that I think therapists have a better say in diagnosing than psychiatrists as psychiatrists dont hardly ever hear your full stories. They just treat the symptoms. She kind of agreed with me. My previous psychiatrist very clearly diagnosed me DID and cPTSD.
I guess I could still be schizoaffective huh but i dont see how they could get it on the first try half the times anyways. Not like we have enough insight when we’re first time in the hospital to explain ourselves anyways.
Especially when substances are involved, hard to get a diagnosis till the patient is stabilized and is sober. I made it difficult for them in that regard. Sober now 20 days though
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I’d think all those extra years of school and being rooted in science would help with a diagnosis.
Therapists are kind of all over the place.
I’m almost 40,
Have seen a therapist since 12 and only think I’ve had one really good one.
Not saying they aren’t credible,
Just saying a therapist gets a more accurate diagnosis doesn’t seem likely.
It depends on the therapist. It took therapists to get me diagnosed with autism, but psychiatrists picked up on sza
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It does depend on the therapist.
I’m just not sure I’d trust them at that capacity.
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Yes, this is a real thing, especially when they slap a BPD dx on you. I’m sorry you went through that.
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Thank you. That was very validating
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