I'm in a bit of a bind. I was diagnosed with PD NOS (personality disorder not otherwise specified). The therapist who gave me that diagnosis never even had me take the MMPI or any other test and didn't look into my medical history. I function fine, and there's no indication of a personality maladjustment severe enough to hinder me from performing everyday activities. And that stupid diagnosis could really put a damper on things I want to do considering I want to go into psychology.
So, basically, I want to go to a therapist and see if I can get tested and have it taken off my record. But I'm sure that they're going to test me, and I don't want my other possible psychopathic traits to be found out. And I don't even know if I can get it taken off my record. Has anyone ever fought against a diagnosis? How do they go about the testing and everything?

Thanks.
teri/tricky/teddy

[(JD)]

I wouldn't bother at this point. There are lots of psychology students who are less than mentally healthy. Wait until it does cause a problem--if it does--and then you'll probably be much healthier (or know you can't perform at that job anyway) and it will be easier to have it "go away."

[Perna]

What "record" is it on? Each therapist makes their own diagnosis as you work with them, mostly based on their experience with you. There aren't any real tests to confirm/deny most diagnoses, if you don't "like" what that therapist decided, then don't go to that therapist. School is about grades, aptitude, and how you get on with your professors and other students. If you haven't every been treated for a mental illness then I don't think anyone is going to care what was said somewhere or in some file from years earlier, etc.

I have no idea what record it's on. Actually, he outright lied to my face that I wasn't going to get any diagnosis other than insomnia, so it could be on anything for all I know. It is in a legit file, though. And I can't talk to this doctor again. I'm more worried about the activities I want to sign up for and possible job opportunities that require sound mental health. I know there is mental health confidentiality and all that, but some jobs do ask for mental health records - such as working in a prison, which I'll eventually have to do. I don't know the details of the confidentiality laws, but I'd rather take care of this annoyance than have it come back to haunt me at the most inopportune moment.

[Princess_Obsidian]

Greetings,

Perhaps your case is not as severe as others, not to mention, your physician may feel you are high functioning. There are many physicians who can tell that their patients will be fine without medication and do not want to ruin the independence the patients already have on taking care of themselves. After all, many who are ill, tend to milk it a little too much, when, with a little perseverance, as well as honest effort, they will be just fine living a normal life.

Trust me, if medication is truly needed for your case, you most certainly would be on it.

Have a good one.

Well, a second opinion, then. Why would he even diagnose me with PD NOS if he had no intention of informing me of my "condition" or treating me for it? And if I function perfectly, I shouldn't have been diagnosed with a PD in the first place. A personality disorder is basically defined as -- maladaptive patterns of behaving that are serious enough to impair function.

[Gus1234U]

Dear Tricky,,, despite the advice of the previous posters, i think you are very smart to worry~! You are Right~!! this is the kind of Dx that will follow you and haunt you the rest of your life. Essentially, you must confront the issue as soon as possible,, Write a letter to the person making that diagnosis and challenge them to produce concrete, behavioral examples substantiating the diagnosis. if there is a grievance procedure, USE IT. by the way, have you taken the personality assessments available here, thru Psych Central ? they are completely confidential, and will give you an idea if there might be other things that would show up in an MMRI. Best Wishes Gus

[serenity4559]

Dear Tricky,

I read your posts, and the responses (I tend to agree with Perna by the way). and I am on the fence on this one, and feel like I am missing something here. Did you go see this therapist because of insomnia? How did this visit come about? Some more info might be helpful.

I know when I was in high school I had to go see a social worker (it was my mom's idea) for depression and she told me I was normal and all teenagers go through this stuff. Four years later in college, I had to go see another social worker (a friend of mine tried to OD) and she told me I was a codependent with addictive tendencies. Four years later, a therapist told me I was Bipolar. (Do you sense a trend here?)

On my school, employment, and military records I never checked the box about seeking help for mental health issues, etc. and I never had any repercussions from it whatsoever. I got a BA in Philosophy, joined the Army, got out, and got my LPN all without ever having to tell anybody that I had a personality disorder. (Do you see where I am going with this?)

I think that you will do fine, be fine, and one therapist's opinion is just that, an opinion. That is, if you went to see him of your own choosing for insomnia. If he felt that you would benefit from say, an anti-depressant, rather than just handing you a script for Ambien, then he would have to give you some type of diagnosis to warrant an anti-depressant. So, again, I don't know all the facts.

You also said that you are scared of taking the MMPI or seeing another therapist to get this one's opinion invalidated somehow because you are scared you might have other possible psychopathic traits. But, if you truly wish to go into psychology, you must embrace this process of "know thyself". Otherwise, what is the point of learning, right?

I was so scared in college that other people would find out how f**d up I really was. I think that this self-consciousness is normal, although for me it was almost terrifying. Because I thought I was deviant, abnormal, decrepit, other-than, etc. But Tricky, unless you like setting fires or torturing small animals (I mean deviant, deviant) then most of your "psychopathic" traits as you call them may be pretty run of the mill once you let them out of the closet.

Just read some forums and you will probably find your story. You sound like a smart person, I feel sure there is a solution. Best of luck.

[bebop]

for what it's worth here is anyone thinking about the HIPPA? medical records are not public record. unless you put on paper somewhere then no one will know. really it is no one's business about your personal life.

[ECHOES]

From the site:

http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs8-med.htm

C. The Medical Information Bureau (MIB) is a central database of medical information shared by insurance companies. Approximately 15 million Americans and Canadians are on file in the MIB's computers. About 600 insurance firms use the services of the MIB primarily to obtain information about life insurance and individual health insurance policy applicants.When you apply for life or health insurance as an individual, you are likely to be asked to provide information about your health. Sometimes you are required to be examined by a doctor and/or to have your blood and urine tested. If you have medical conditions that insurance companies consider significant, the insurance company will report that information to the MIB.The information contained in a typical MIB record is limited to codes for specific medical conditions and lifestyle choices. Examples include codes to indicate high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, or depression. A code can signify participation in high-risk sports such as skydiving. A file would also include a code to indicate that the individual smokes cigarettes. The MIB uses 230 such codes.It's important to remember the following about the MIB:

The MIB is not subject to HIPAA.MIB files do not include the totality of one's medical records as held by your health care provider. Rather it consists of codes signifying certain health conditions.
A decision on whether to insure you is not supposed to be based solely on the MIB report.
The MIB is a consumer reporting agency subject to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). If you are denied insurance based on an MIB report, you are entitled to certain rights under the FCRA, including the ability to obtain a free report and the right to have erroneous information corrected. See the Federal Trade Commission's website on insurance decisions.
The MIB does not have a file on everyone. But if you have an MIB file, you will want to be sure it is correct. You can obtain a copy for free once a year by calling (866) 692-6901 (TTY for the hearing impaired (866) 346-3642) or by visiting the MIB's website.

In general the MIB can be contacted at Medical Information Bureau, P.O. Box 105, Essex Station, Boston, MA 02112, or by sending an email to infoline@mib.com Web: www.mib.com.

I went to see him for insomnia. And I'm not sure I can contact him again. I'll have to look into that. I know that whatever grievance procedure there is doesn't work. Another girl tried with a formal complaint after he had lied to her, and nothing happened.

I know that the diagnosis is confidential, but I'm pretty sure they ask questions about mental health in applications for government-run agencies, medical licensing, and in bar exams. And I know that I should embrace my own "self", but a diagnosis of psychopathy, or even ASPD, is the kiss of death. I'll happily know and accept myself, the good and the bad (within reason), so long as no one else finds out.

[wow.]

Here in the US that info simply isn't shared. Every time I visit a new professional I have to repeat my entire story.

[KDlady]

did you use insurance to cover this person's diagnosis - therapy?

Originally Posted by wow.

Here in the US that info simply isn't shared. Every time I visit a new professional I have to repeat my entire story.

I am in the US. :P I've only been to the one therapist, and he told me that doctors put all findings and med history into a network which other doctors can see. But he lies a lot. So I probably will have to retell all about my insomnia and how I got my diagnosis to the new therapist. I'm not sure. But I've decided that I am going to see a doctor in hopes of getting some meds to help with sleeping, so I might as well just ask about my PD NOS diagnosis while I'm there and see what can be done about it. The only thing I'm worried about (besides money) is having to take psych tests such as the MMPI and having my psychopathic tendencies found out. Part of me really wants to know. I'm sick of second guessing every little thing I do and wondering if it's a psychopathic trait and what it means. On the other hand, it would be really, really, emphasis on "really", bad if my person got slapped with that label.

Originally Posted by KDlady

did you use insurance to cover this person's diagnosis - therapy?

Were you asking me? I was covered by insurance.