trigger; a little talk of suicide. t's won't treat me

I hear about ppl here having therapists that will treat them.

where are they?!

Can't find them anywhere.

See my other post for more info.

anyway, I just got back from a psychiatrist, who won't treat me because she believes "I can get better help at this other program", which is not covered by my insurance. She says it is, but I checked and my insurance does NOT cover BPD. It's an "Axis 2" thing. My insurance will only cover "Axis 1" things, like schizophrenia or bipolar. I have an Axis 1 thing and that's only what they will cover/treat.

I went to a psychiatrist just for the treatment of the axis 1 thing and she won't treat me cause I have borderline.

I am so scared now.

I can't get any psych help now, unless I find a psych. who can still sneak treatment for the axis 1 problem.

I understand that some of you are not American and have universal health care. I am from California (which is supposed to have great mental health care) and all I can afford is basic psych (med) care and I can't even get that now cause of this darn bpd label!

So scared I can't stand it.

I tried another therapist the other night---2 in fact and they both dropped me cause I was so needy.

I wanted to die all weekend, but didnt' act on it. Too scared to actually put the pills in my mouth.

So I am safe and still here.


Billi

Hi Billi,

im glad you didnt act on your feelings at the weekend - its hard isnt it - when my dignosis was jsut PTSD the psychiatrist i see for meds was trying to help me - as soon as i got the BDP label - he backed off - sighs

makes you feel so alone and isolated and lost.... but you know what ? there are people here that know how you feel - that you can talk to and about BPD - dont ever feel alone when you have Psych Central ok

can you get somthing form your insurance company that says they dont treat BPD and take it to your psych - maybe they would reconsider

My psych is also a dr and sees me as that or i coudnt afford it - not that hes helping me anymore since my diagnosis lol

the main thing is keep talking her and anywwhere you can - dont isolate yourself - you are worthwhile and you can be helped you just have to find the right person

big hugs to you

Dear billi,

I'm no expert, but didn't Congress pass and the President sign a bill a few months ago equalizing treatment for both mental and physical problems? I think they did, and I think it's in force now. Lawyers are expensive, but you'd be a perfect candidate for your local California legal aid clinic, where they don't charge you. You might want to get an appointment there and explain your problem to a lawyer. If your insurance company gets a phone call from a lawyer acting for you they may have a real big change of heart. Insurance companies hate and fear lawyers.

Another thing to try might be to start a new thread in the BPD forum or sub-forum asking whether anyone on PC in your area of California knows a P or T who will treat someone with your diagnoses AS IF you only had an axis 2 illness. I know that in my area there are P's and T's who will do that. But my area is about as far from your area as you can get. The doctors don't make a big thing about this, they do it on the quiet because they really shouldn't. But many, many P's and T's are so sympathetic to their clients that they're really willing to bend the rules. Mine does.

If you're in a big city you're in luck, you'll probably have many doctors to find out about. If you're in a small town like me, there may only be one P or T around. Keep looking, keep checking, don't take one "no" for an answer. The world's a big place and people, even P's and T's, can be very different from each other.

The best of luck to you.

Take care.

Hey Billi,

So my psychiatrist recently has tried to label me as borderline (I'm fighting it of course since I'm stubborn and don't want ANOTHER problem to have to deal with), so forgive me if I'm still new to this whole thing...

I DO know there is a horribly large amount of stigma attached to having BPD. Which isn't fair, because you CAN treat it, it just may take more effort in some cases. But last time I checked, therapists were in the business of helping people, so I'm sorry you haven't been able to find someone who is willing to take you on as a client.

I *am* Canadian and can see a psychiatrist for free, but definitely not a therapist for free by any stretch of the imagination. But then again wait times for psych's can be pretty brutal.

I do know that finding a therapist that is willing to use DBT to help those with BPD is awfully hard. I don't have any really good advice except to call back those who turned you away and ask them for a recommendation to someone who WILL be able to help you out (ask for any therapists they know who use DBT, it doesn't even need to be just for BPD, DBT can help many different disorders/issues). If a therapist (even if they aren't "yours") isn't willing to at least do that - well, good riddance to bad rubbish I'd say.

I'm sorry you're stuck in such a horrible situation.

You might want to contact the other program. They may be used to knowing how to bill so insurance will cover the treatment.

They may also help with finding a therapist you can work with.

Hi Billi

The mental health parity law has been passed. BPD is so hard to deal with; you don't need any more stress. Even if BPD isn't one of the covered illnesses, can your T dx you with Major depression along with it? It's NOT such a stretch and sometimes does go along with BPD. That way , you'd be covered under the law.
I hope you can find good care soon.

The mental health parity law has been passed. Even if BPD isn't one of the covered illnesses, can your T dx you with Major depression along with it?

No, they won't. They know I have depression, but since BPD isnt' covered, they won't.

Billi

BARBARIC! I can't believe it. Why can't doctors follow the Hippocratic oath?!

No, they really can't. I checked many years ago at the center and they will not even cover the program with my insurance. I am SCR**ED.

My plan now is to contact my MD again and talk to her about meds, at least. If she takes the same attitude toward me (and I know when they do that---it's all too familiar---the body language, the uptight tone of voice, you have the idea!) I will go somewhere else. I have a clinic in mind that I will try next if this happens.

to answer the question about DBT, as it is not covered on my insurance, I cna't even have it.

My plan there is to join a BPD-run DBT discussion group.

ty, everyone for your feedback.

Billi