Discussion Is getting an official diagnosis of a "mental/personality disorder" worth anything?

[Darkhaven]

One of the things this site made me realise was that i share a lot of key "symptoms" or caratheristics with people with Asperger's syndrome, autism and, specially, borderline personality disorder.
While i had solid suspicions of the possibility of having a "mental illness" since a very young age, the truth is, i never bothered going to a "shrink" in order to, at least, get a name for what that disorder would be. Since i'm going through the roughest phase of my life and i'm on an almost 2 year streak of constant depression and suicidal thoughts i have been sugested by my neurologist and my mother to go see a psychiatrist. I have always declined and didn't particularly leave any room for forward discussions of the matter. However, sometimes i wonder if it could actually help me in any way, knowing what my problems really are and, maybe learn a thing or two on how to try to controll my unstable personality a little bit. It would also put an end to my own speculations about whether or not i'm autistic or have some other personality disorder (which i know i do).
This question is specially directed at those of you who went to a psychiatrist or therapist and got a diagnosis of a mental health problem. Do you regret getting your diagnosis? Did it have any impact on your life or on how you see the world or yourself, as person? Could there be any benefit in it?

 

[FreedomInDeath]

If they give you a diagnosis (or a few) they have some base of how to treat you, what therapies meds etc they think may help. Also if you need to file for disabilty you need official diagnosis.

 

[Darkhaven]

If they give you a diagnosis (or a few) they have some base of how to treat you, what therapies meds etc they think may help. Also if you need to file for disabilty you need official diagnosis.

I guess the reason for my reluctance about these treatments is because i don't have a single bit of hope in them suceeding. Some of these personality flaws or whatever they call them are enraized in me. In a way it's who i am and i have a hard time believing they can change anything for the better. Then there's also the strains of finding a good, modern professional and not end up on one of those old school psychiatrists that will be prescribing SSRI's and treating me like some freak.

 

[FreedomInDeath]

Go to a therapist first. They still may suggest meds but tell them you want therapy before seeing a psych med prescriber. Maybe call whatever mental health facility you have in mind and request a diagnostic assessment to start therapy. Honestly the only thing you can do is try there is never a guarantee. It would be worth it though if therapy does go well. You do have to have some will and hope to get better and do the therapies though or else they will not work at all guaranteed. Ugh after this paragraph I never want to see the word therapy again. Haha.

 

[noaccount]

Yeah if you're trying to get disability income, or trying to get insurance to cover different treatment modalities for you, then it can help with that. In terms of actually understanding WHY any of the human experiences they call "symptoms" are happening to us, not so much.

 

[FreedomInDeath]

I agree. I feel like many issues are a bunch of compounded problems for most people.

 

[Taylored]

It's only worth it for the disability money.

 

[Egddios]

As far as diagnosis goes, it's often tricky to get a "real" or true assessment, especially for those who (myself included) keep their plans of ending their lives to themselves. I lie just about every time I see the current psychiatrist because again, like many, I'm over hospitalizations and/or being pumped with antipsychotics.

Anyway, the point is, how can a diagnosis be accurate if the bulk of core information, concerns, etc is kept secret? If I could be open and talk about ending my life with a therapist or psychiatrist, that would likely be beneficial. But alas, the US and suicide...

 

[Forever Wandering]

I would say go to a psychiatrist get that diagnosis. It can help you better manage your condition.