Schizophrenia or BPD

Rall19 · Jan 14, 2024, 05:06 AM

Hi I just joined today as i’m confused with a diagnosis I have been given and have been
searching online with conflicting resukts.

I have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia at the age of 18. (7 years ago) This week my psychiatrist is now saying it may be changed to BPD. I only see her yearly and do not understand how this could now be a totally different diagnosis. Has anyone else been in this position?

Crazy Hitch · Jan 14, 2024, 05:09 PM

I’ve heard of diagnosis changing, sure.

What’s your mood like currently?

Are you stable?

Does she think you may be schizoaffective bipolar?

Tart Cherry Jam · Jan 14, 2024, 10:43 PM

I assume by BPD you mean bipolar affective disorder and not borderline personality disorder. right?

Crazy Hitch · Jan 14, 2024, 10:50 PM

I assume the same thing 😊

Tart Cherry Jam · Jan 14, 2024, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rall19

I only see her yearly

I see that you are in UK and I understand the limitation of the NHS but still: only see your psychiatrist YEARLY with such a serious diagnosis??

Rall19 · Jan 16, 2024, 01:55 AM

My psychiatrist thinks it may be BPD
borderline personality disorder. At the moment I am very depressed and having auditory hallucinations. Had one 1/2 hr meeting with her after waiting 14 months since last one. Based in Scotland local doctor will not discuss mental health with me while I am under the psychiatrist.

CANDC · Jan 16, 2024, 10:35 AM

@Rall19 welcome to MSF. I am sorry you are experiencing auditory hallucinations. I hope you get the support you are looking for.

If you are open to taking a look at your lifestyle, there may be ways where hallucinations are not so strong. Or maybe you could just enjoy better health. Here are things I try that help me to some extent:

--- Eat small healthy low carb meals and or snacks with moderate protein every 3-4 hours

--- Sleep 6-7 hours and or have naps if sleep less

--- Do active exercises like Adrienne Complete Beginners yoga and 5 Minute Tai Chi (breathing and body connection) both free on youtube

--- socialize in person and or online

--- Mindfulness exercises on youtube

You may do some or all of these. I hope you find a way to cope with this situation.

CANDC

[If you want me to see your reply to this post please include @CANDC in your message - not in requoting my message]

Tart Cherry Jam · Jan 17, 2024, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rall19

My psychiatrist thinks it may be BPD
borderline personality disorder. At the moment I am very depressed and having auditory hallucinations. Had one 1/2 hr meeting with her after waiting 14 months since last one. Based in Scotland local doctor will not discuss mental health with me while I am under the psychiatrist.

Oh, I see. Then your schizophrenia dx will not be changed to BPD, but the BPD dx will be added to schizophrenia

schizophrenia is called Axis I
BPD is called Axis II

Look up those Axes to get some understanding of the diagnostic classification system.

for BPD, you can get treatment from a psychologist. It does not have to be a psychiatrist, unlike with schizophrenia. Look up Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). It can be administered individually or in a group setting. It requires a very significant long-term time commitment on your part, but is evidence-based and offers hope.

Rall19 · Jan 17, 2024, 02:38 AM

@tartcherryjam
Thank you, I have tried to do a lot of that stuff but very difficult when I have no motivation and also i do not get much sleep..

Rall19 · Jan 17, 2024, 02:54 AM

With regards to the axis dx I’m confuse as to why my psychiatrist would completely change my diagnosis. I can only think it may be different in UK.. My original diagnosis of Schizophrenia was given very quickly could it have been wrong?

divine1966 · Jan 17, 2024, 07:51 AM

Borderline personality disorder and schizophrenia aren’t mutually exclusive and don’t even have the same symptoms. Is your doctor actually said he is changing it? Seems a bit strange. Are you on meds for your schizophrenia? Hallucinations is a serious symptoms and typically isn’t common for BPD diagnosis. I hope you address your hallucinations, I am surprised you only see pdoc annually. Could you call them and tell them you need earlier appointment and possibly med adjustment?

eskielover · Jan 17, 2024, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divine1966

Borderline personality disorder and schizophrenia aren’t mutually exclusive and don’t even have the same symptoms. Is your doctor actually said he is changing it? Seems a bit strange. Are you on meds for your schizophrenia? Hallucinations is a serious symptoms and typically isn’t common for BPD diagnosis. I hope you address your hallucinations, I am surprised you only see pdoc annually. Could you call them and tell them you need earlier appointment and possibly med adjustment?

BPD is sometimes used for BiPolar Disorder & is very similar

divine1966 · Jan 17, 2024, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eskielover

BPD is sometimes used for BiPolar Disorder & is very similar

Yes I am aware but OP specified that pdoc said “borderline PD” @eskielover

Tart Cherry Jam · Jan 17, 2024, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rall19

With regards to the axis dx I’m confuse as to why my psychiatrist would completely change my diagnosis. I can only think it may be different in UK.. My original diagnosis of Schizophrenia was given very quickly could it have been wrong?

These two Axes are orthogonal. It is not a complete change of the dx but an addition of a new Axis.

You said the original dx of schizophrenia was given very quickly. Was it in context of an inpatient stay? Were you hallucinating, having delusions, having a psychotic break? If the symptoms are severe, acute and obvious enough, the schizophrenia diagnosis can be given quickly and yet be correct. It is more for bipolar affective disorder that one needs time observing the patient in different phases of the disorder to arrive at a fitting dx. But bipolar is an episodic illness by its nature.

Are you on an antipsychotic medication? What are you currently taking? What is your rx?

I agree you need to see your psychiatrist again soon.

Rall19 · Jan 18, 2024, 02:19 AM

I was on 15mg aripirazole but she put it up to 20mg last visit as hallucinations have been worse after a stressful event. After discussions with her she said she was swaying with my original diagnosis and thought more likely BPD. There is no option for another appointment within this year. NHS are only offering emergency crisis support if needed.

Rall19 · Jan 18, 2024, 02:27 AM

I originally had hallucinations and paranoia. No inpatient stay. She did say psychotic symptoms can be with bpd im on 20mg aripirazole. Only given one visit per year with her and the last was very rushed like 30mins. What is rx?

TishaBuv · Jan 18, 2024, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rall19

I originally had hallucinations and paranoia. No inpatient stay. She did say psychotic symptoms can be with bpd im on 20mg aripirazole. Only given one visit per year with her and the last was very rushed like 30mins. What is rx?

Yes, I have read a good percentage of patients with bpd do have psychotic symptoms. The articles say it is mostly auditory hallucinations, but it can be other too.

I’ve learned about bpd due to issues I’ve had with emotional dysregulation. I searched the internet, reading scholarly articles and watching videos by (reputable) mental health professionals. My psych doctors did not give me much information either, so I had to learn by searching for myself to feel less confused and more empowered in healing.

I hope you are getting some relief with the meds prescribed, your sleep improves, and you can get to see your doctor again soon.

Tart Cherry Jam · Jan 18, 2024, 10:43 AM

Sorry

DX means diagnosis

RX means prescription

Fuzzybear · Jan 19, 2024, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CANDC

@Rall19 welcome to MSF. I am sorry you are experiencing auditory hallucinations. I hope you get the support you are looking for.

If you are open to taking a look at your lifestyle, there may be ways where hallucinations are not so strong. Or maybe you could just enjoy better health. Here are things I try that help me to some extent:

--- Eat small healthy low carb meals and or snacks with moderate protein every 3-4 hours

--- Sleep 6-7 hours and or have naps if sleep less

--- Do active exercises like Adrienne Complete Beginners yoga and 5 Minute Tai Chi (breathing and body connection) both free on youtube

--- socialize in person and or online

--- Mindfulness exercises on youtube

You may do some or all of these. I hope you find a way to cope with this situation.

CANDC

[If you want me to see your reply to this post please include @CANDC in your message - not in requoting my message]

Good post

Rall19, Welcome to msf

I hope you find the support you're looking for.

I will not comment (further) on the cluster**** in the location you describe ...

Fuzzybear · Jan 19, 2024, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rall19

I originally had hallucinations and paranoia. No inpatient stay. She did say psychotic symptoms can be with bpd im on 20mg aripirazole. Only given one visit per year with her and the last was very rushed like 30mins. What is rx?

rx - prescription

Fuzzybear · Jan 19, 2024, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rall19

My psychiatrist thinks it may be BPD
borderline personality disorder. At the moment I am very depressed and having auditory hallucinations. Had one 1/2 hr meeting with her after waiting 14 months since last one. Based in Scotland local doctor will not discuss mental health with me while I am under the psychiatrist.

''Under'' the psychiatrist? The terminology is not.... to my liking.

Tart Cherry Jam · Jan 20, 2024, 12:24 AM

Maybe "under the care of a psychiatrist" was meant. I was also startled by the expression "under..."

eskielover · Jan 20, 2024, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tart Cherry Jam

Maybe "under the care of a psychiatrist" was meant. I was also startled by the expression "under..."

I assumed it meant "under the care of...."

Rall19 · Jan 25, 2024, 06:10 AM

yes it does, here in UK when you go they ask what doctor you are under on a list of doctors.

Tart Cherry Jam · Jan 26, 2024, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rall19

yes it does, here in UK when you go they ask what doctor you are under on a list of doctors.

Thanks for clarifying. In the US there is no such usage, so we were surprised.

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