Today's meeting

[captainkeefy]

Hi All,

I went for the meeting today and sat a test similar to the one I posted on here. I scored high in Histrionic and dependant and above average on borderline, narsasistic and obscessive compulsive

[Sweetpea]

Do you have any idea what the next step is captain K?

S x x x x

[captainkeefy]

I've been asked if I would like to attend the unit. I said I would if he seen it worthwhile for me. He said it would be. So I start therapy with them next week.

He said to be considered to have a PD I had to score a six on his question, I scored 2 5's histrionic and dependant and 3 4's narsassistic, borderline and obsessive compulsive.

[Buttercup]

So is the therapy the same as if you were diagnosed?

[captainkeefy]

Yeah, one full day a week in therapy, group therapy was mentioned.

[Catbrian]

That sounds very positive and it has all moved so quickly for you, the fastest I've ever heard.  If you have some 1-2-1 sessions, that might be best to start off with, but I also think you would enjoy group therapy.  Apparently it is very common for people with a PD to have connections with other Clusters.

I'm just completing my forms for the Complex needs Service. There are a few sheets with similar PD tests we've already done.

How do you feel about it all?  You "sound" a little flat.  I hope you're okay

Cat

[captainkeefy]

Hi Cat,

To be honest I'm good. I took a lot out of my last C.B.T. Session, it was a really good session. My next one is next week. I think this one will be my last one.

Today was a lot different to C.B.T. I had a more philosophical approach to it but then I did feel philosophical this morning, I was also nervous too. I had a horrible feeling when I read personality disorder on the signs today, I felt like turning around and running away. From the way the guy was acting I think I do have a disorder. He said that sheet only Identified traits not a disorder. He only told me after he'd worked my scores out that I needed to score six after I scored five.

[Sweetpea]

That sounds positive captain K. I really hope it helps you.

S x x x x

[Catbrian]

You are quite Philosophical and I think that's a positive thing.  Amongst other things, it can lead to good insight, which I also think you have an abundance of.  I imagine you will respond well to therapy; you'll probably end up giving them a therapy session!

I'm not quite sure what you mean about needing to score 6 but only scoring 5.  Surely that cannot determine a definite diagnosis, or does it?  So, will they conclude you have no PD? 

[captainkeefy]

Hi, the test I did today actually had DSM written on it. It was on that duplicate paper and had 75 questions on it. Once you answer the questions you tear the top sheet off and underneath is the nine personality disorders and for every answer you put as true they mark the white box in that coloumn. Then they count up the scores in each coloumn. So I scored 5 traits in Histrionic and 5 traits in dependant. I scored 4 traits of borderline, narsassistic and obscessive compulsive. He said I needed 6 traits to be considered as having a personality disorder. The thing is I spotted a question I knew to be a trait of histrionic and put false. If I had said true on this one then either I would of been considered to have HPD or I reckon he would have told me I needed 7.

[Catbrian]

The thing is Capt, those tests are good but, as we both know, the scoring can read quite differently from one day to the next.  Therefore, I imagine, those tests, on their own, cannot be solely used to determine whether or not someone has a PD, especially when it is defining between a 5 or 6 score.  My guess is that they use both the scoring and their own 1-2-1 assessment.  Did the person say you had or didn't have a PD, or are they still assessing that? 

It doesn't take much to confuse me!  Did you say they had agreed to providing therapy?

Hope today is going well for you

[captainkeefy]

To be honest I think that similar minds test is better. The one I did yesterday was just a basic yes that's like me or no it's not. There was at least ten questions I said to him that it's close. He said the way I was so hesitate to answer the questions was a trait of ocpd. I said I think it's very important to answer these questions correctly considering a personality disorder could be the result of the test.

I think I'm starting 1-2-1 therapy with the unit. I start next week. Nothing's been said yet if I have a PD or not, but he did say it would be beneficial me attending the unit. Can a councillor diagnose a PD though?

I'm having a good day today, got me some new goldfish  0053

[Catbrian]

I'm currently completing the application for the PD Complex Needs Service at St George's hospital.  There are three questionnaires; one with 5 Q's, another with 10 and the last has 34..  I can't see them coming to a definite diagnosis from the questionnaires alone.  Yes, it gives a good indication whether or not someone has a PD, but the diagnosis must amount to more.

Whether or not a counsellor can diagnose a PD would largely depend on the kind of unit he is from.  Is this  a specialised PD unit or a general MIND organisation?

I've just been cleaning my fish tank and the filter pumps, which shouldn't really be cleaned, but I have a problem with brown stained water.  I put some real plants and a log especially for tanks.  The log gives a brown tinge to the water and it is proving extremely difficult to clear.  My last cold water fish, which was a fantail, grew as big as my hand and lived until she was 13, the other one was 9.  This lot I have are all months old.  I'm sorry I got some more cold water as I fancy trying my hand at Tropical.

Hope you're doing okay today

[captainkeefy]

No this is a specialist personality disorder unit. It's in a N.H.S. hospital and it in conjunction with mind. They have given me an appointment for next Thursday but I can't make it. I've tried calling and calling and have left a voice mail but not heard anything. Funny as it says on the paperwork if you miss an appointment you'll be transferred back into your G.P's care.

I'm feeling okay today, well I'm feeling a little down to be honest. But I'm going to take this as a positive by saying I need something constructive in my life.

[Catbrian]

As it's a specialist unit then I would say the Counsellor would be specifically trained/qualified to make a diagnosis based on the tests and his 1-2-1 assessment.  As far as I understand, diagnosing a particular cluster of PD is enormously difficult.  I also think much of that needs to come from the client, as they know themselves better than anyone.  Perhaps part of the Therapy Programme will be to support you in reaching that final conclusion.   I know that has been my Psychiatrists approach.  You are obviously an intelligent person and have probably demonstrated your own knowledge and insight.

I wouldn't worry about not being able to attend on Thursday.  "Missed appointments" is probably when you don't bother to show up without calling.

I imagine you would need something constructive in your life to keep you stimulated.  Has anything further come of college? Would you not consider doing English as a proof of study for your CV?  Judging by your writing and ability to absorb vast quantities of info, I would think you would breeze through it.