Diagnosis being kept from you?

[glitter]

Every time I ask what, if anything, I'm diagnosed with, I either get ignored or told it's not for the best that I know. This worries me, because it makes me think they are keeping something big or bad from me.

They have said before that I might have bipolar disorder, and put me on an anti-psychotic to stabilize my mood (does that even work?!) But If i'm not diagnosed with bipolar, then why do I need that?

They then made me do a list of all my er, OCD traits I suppose, and concluded that I'm 'quite obsessive-compulsive' Since then my CPN has brought it up once, saying 'Is that your OCD talking?' My OCD? Does that mean I'm diagnosed with it or not? Arggghh

Alsooooo they have hinted at a personality disorder of some sort. The doctor in the hospital mentioned it first, and now they just keep going on about how manipulative and reckless and etc etc I am.

I guess it just really bugs me that they won't tell me. Can they even do that? I'm still under CAMHS even though I'm 18, so they might have some different rules from adult services. Can they put you on medication for a disorder you're not even diagnosed with? It's all so confusing. And theres a part of me that worries that they are keeping something big from me, and another part that says they wont tell me because there is nothing wrong with me. I don't know which to believe. How can I persuade them to tell me what is actually going on with me? Does anyone know how you would go about getting your medical notes, or if you even can??

[Puppet Strings]

I know how frustrating and confusing it can be when certain phrases are used, which hint towards a diagnosis of some sort, and yet you haven't been diagnosed with anything. I hear things like "your depression", among other things, frequently and yet I haven't technically been diagnosed with depression of any form, or anything else - at least, not that I am aware of.

I agree with what Trace said, and do think that you could do with pushing them to explaning why they won't tell you, and your feelings about this all.

As too mentioned by Trace, I'd be cautious about getting your notes. I've never asked to see mine, and I don't think I ever could - no matter how much it's be good to look, in a sense, you don't know what could be in there & therefore how you'll take some of it.

Good luck with everything, I hope everything works out & look after yourself,
Rach x

[ashrink]

Seeing your notes is a right of all Health Service Users. The Trust you are being treated in will have a policy that all staff should be aware of. If you ask your doctor or CPN they should know what to do. Sometimes there may be a charge for photocopying, but often there is not. If the Trust has a Patient Advocacy Liaison Service they will be able to help you find your way around the system. Good luck.