Posted by Quintal on August 5, 2007, at 4:14:35
In reply to Re: Avoidant personality style » Quintal, posted by Racer on August 5, 2007, at 1:45:46
Yes, you're right Racer. I was putting an ironic twist on the whole personality disorder thing because that's what I saw in my notes on the doctor's computer when when I went about my stomach pain a few weeks ago. Under 'Active Conditions' or words to that effect, it had listed 'benzodiazepine misuse and dependence', 'prescription only drug misuse' and the clincher 'personality disorders'. So it's official then - I have a personality disorder.
It doesn't mention which one it might be though... and the psychiatrist told me to my face that I don't fit into any one category 'because you are a human being, not an object'. The problem with the inflexible patterns thing is that people do behave differently in different situations, even people with personality disorders. I'm not sure how psychiatrists arrive at these diagnoses and why, or how many use them. I have a feeling they're used more to warn other doctors of people they deem 'problem' patients rather than diagnostic criteria. Again, this might sound reasonable, but I got on fine with the first two psychiatrists I saw and there was no suggestion of personality disorders from them. I got off on a bad footing to the last pdoc from the outset when he tried to tell me Zyprexa was a regular antidepressant like Prozac - I lost my temper and we got into an argument. He was the one who refused to raise the dose of Parnate above 30mg even though it was working well for me - basically a power trip. He discharged me at the next appointment with the 'personality disorders' label and said he didn't want to see me again 'unless things change significantly'. So that is my experience with psychiatrists and personality disorders.
Yes, medication helps with anxiety and ultimately therapy is most likely to help you recognize maladaptive and self-destructive patterns and draw up strategies to deal with them.
Q
poster:Quintal
thread:773898
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070730/msgs/774088.html