It’s been a while since I posted anything here. Mainly because I haven’t really had anything “news-worthy” to report and also because I’ve been quite stressed out. All that came to a head this morning……
So back in the early summer of last year (2017) I was “forcefully” referred to see a psychiatrist. I say forcefully because I didn’t ask to be seen, nor did I want to be seen and I was told I had no choice – that to me is force. It all came about because here in Nottinghamshire, GPs aren’t allowed to prescribe Ritalin (methylphenidate) – it must be done under the care and supervision of a psychiatrist. Moving has caused chaos. It was different in Devon. In Devon I was under DANA (Devon Autism and ADHD service). There I saw a psychiatric nurse once a year for a medication review. The GP was then instructed to prescribe and monitor BP etc. This worked well for all involved but mainly for me. Sadly for me Nottinghamshire is very different. Here Ritalin is classed as a “Red Drug” and cannot be prescribed by a GP, even with the go-ahead of a psychiatrist. So back in the summer, after one GP point blank refusing to prescribe Ritalin, I was “urgently” referred to see the psychiatrist here. It’s now the end of February 2018 and I’ve just had my “urgent” appointment. All I can say is thank goodness I wasn’t in crisis. Thankfully the psychiatrist has been writing my prescriptions while I’ve been on the waiting list. Phew.
So that’s a bit of background on things…..so anyway with my appointment looming I’ve been getting gradually more and more anxious over the past few months. I made sure the GP made the psychiatrist aware of PDA and I’ve been doing my normal preparation of reducing demands etc but it hasn’t really helped. The problem is I almost have a fear of psychiatrists. It’s certainly a very strong dislike of what they do. I can honestly say, hand on heart, that I have never had a good experience when seeing a psychiatrist – and this morning was no different. Like I said I’d done all my preparation and psyched myself up as much as possible but it was still terrifying. For days before I’ve had palpitations, sweats and trouble settling my mind. I’ve felt sick, had tummy-ache and felt tearful. And all over a 1 hour appointment. As soon as we walked into the room I knew we were in for nightmare time…..he asked about my attachment to my mother, wanted me to talk about my negative experiences at school and throughout my childhood in general and he wanted me to talk about my biological dad (who is in prison and who hasn’t seen me since I was 3 weeks old). He also hinted that he’d like me to have psychotherapy! Yeah, yeah – ain’t happening pal! I don’t have “issues” that I need to talk about. I’m fine. He kept mentioning my relationship and attachment to my mum, as if hinting at some kind of attachment disorder being the reason I am the way I am. My negative experiences as a child are in no way the cause of why I am the way I am – my issues started from birth! I tried to point this out. He asked me why I didn’t go out unless I “had to” – I don’t know why but they all seem to pick this one apart. I don’t think he realised/understood that my psychosis is a real diagnosis. He said he didn’t like patients using Google and insinuated that it’s something I’ve guessed at. I pointed out that I was diagnosed at 11 by a top-drawer psychiatrist and prescribed a strong antipsychotic medication for it, which I still take to this day, so hardly a case of google-my-symptoms-and-panic. Let’s also not forget that we didn’t have the internet back then (1994) let alone Google! So I’m sat there answering his pointless and intrusive questions and praying for the hour to end when he says to me “you look like a rabbit caught in the headlights” – that for me was the only correct observation he made! He also commented that people with psychosis don’t normally have insight into their condition!?!?? He then proceeded to ask me why I had an issue with the label of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder – I said I didn’t if it was the correct label. If he thinks he can stick that label on me and magic away my PDA then he’s got a surprise coming! Another psychiatrist tried to stick that label on me when he refused to acknowledge my diagnosis of PDA. I fought and had it removed from my notes. I’m more than happy to do that again. Another rather interesting comment from him was “you don’t actually have a diagnosis of autism” – hmm…..that’s technically correct but seeing as I have a diagnosis of PDA, which is a type of autism, I don’t need a separate ASD diagnosis. This stumped him a little I feel. I also had to tell him that Elizabeth Newson had passed away 3 times before it sank in and also he kept asking me what her qualifications were……anyone would think he’d never heard of Google!
So now for the best bit, the reason for the title of this blog post, the reason why I’m so angry and the reason I was so fearful going into this morning’s appointment. The Ritalin issue. At the end he announced that “according to text books it’s unusual for someone of my age to still be taking Ritalin” and “that by now he would have thought my symptoms would have reduced”. With this in mind he went on to say that he wants to see me again in 6 months with a view to reducing the Ritalin and in time stopping it altogether! Shoot me now! I said it ain’t happening but he just told me not to worry and that 6 months is a long way off! WTF! I just about held it together until we got to the car. I still can’t believe it. I feared this would happen. I had a gut feeling but I hoped I was wrong. What gives him the right to walk (forcefully) into my life, judge me for an hour and the decide the rest of my life based on what a crappy (and probably outdated) text book says! This might sound dramatic but my life as I know it will end without Ritalin (or a very good substitute). I won’t be able to function. I will damage relationships again. I will become someone I don’t like. I won’t be able to think straight. To function. To manage. Even basic stuff will become a struggle. I will have 2 demons to contend with – the PDA and the ADHD. At the moment the Ritalin takes care of 90% of my ADHD symptoms, leaving me enough in the tank to handle the PDA side of things. Take the Ritalin away and I’m left with what??? 2 demons I know I won’t have the strength to fight day in and day out. I feel helpless right now. Sad too. I’m sad for me. I’m sad for the people I love and care about. I’ve been taking it for 23 years. It’s not fair. How can he do this?! As for his comment about 6 months being a long way off – really! Has he ever met anyone with PDA before?! Has he ever met anyone with ASD before?! 6 months is now logged in my brain, like a countdown to impending doom, and there it will stay until that dreaded day actually comes. I won’t be able to forget it and move on. It’s there now. Logged and counting down.
Not much else to say on this really other than I’m angry, upset, I hate shrinks even more now and I wish that they would leave me alone to live my life in peace! Not too much to ask is it?!
I’m now off to sleep before I call the GP to update her……
Hope you all liked the title 👍 – peace 💜
UPDATE
I spoke to my GP last night and she’s prescribed me Propranolol. It won’t help with the mental aspect of my anxiety but it should help with the physical side of my anxiety (chest pain, sweats and palpitations etc). She’s also going to request a second opinion for me. 👍
Hi Julia – I identify with your horrible experience with medical professionals – maybe they should start googling themselves to check out forums and research for people/adults with PDA/ADD/ASD etc. My son has ASD/ADD and PDA – oh my gosh Psychiatrist is an arrogant, unhelpful, dissmissive man. My son is 20 and has aged out for previous supports and doctors. Guess what despite 3 x multi disiplinary team diagnosis, numerous workshops, psychologists, school changes, independant plans, social workers etc.. not being able to “crack open” my son despite “all his fantastic attributes” has now decided it is MY FAULT… yep I “cared too much and wanted him to be happy” so now he is not as resiliant as he should be… Maybe the Psych could have researched – my son was in creche while I worked as a toddler, caught the bus to school and I am a single parent that has worked, studied etc.. No way do professionals (in Australia) understand the PDA profile.
Thanks for sharing – I’ve just found this blog so will be working my way through your posts.
PS Ritlan is prescribed for 70 years olds !
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Thank you for sharing your story with me. I’m sorry you and your son are so unsupported. 💜
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I still can’t grasp how these people in these jobs have next no clue of the clients they see.I have the same issues with the ‘professionals’ I see for my children.If you don’t know these people how can you judge them.It is so frustrating
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Julia, I really identify with your fear of psychiatrists. I don’t think your anxiety about them is unreasonable at all. They are pseudo-scientific frauds with tremendous power to harm. Psychiatric diagnoses are based on collections of observed symptoms rather than any verifiable understanding of biological causes, so of course there is a huge amount of subjectivity, second guessing, and misdiagnosis.
I wonder if it has occurred to you, though, that the psychiatrist who diagnosed you with psychosis at age 11 was probably just as much of a fraud. I’m not saying you didn’t experience psychosis as a child – how would I know? – but psychosis is one of those disorders, along with bipolar and borderline personality, that females on the spectrum are frequently misdiagnosed with.
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All I can say is my psychosis is very real. Whatever name we give it I hear a voice telling me I’m worthless, that I should die and that I’m disgusting etc. The list of insults is longer than I can type.
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That’s a really awful experience. My GP suggested I might have PDA which is why I’m here but I’m currently only diagnosed with anxiety and depression and Emotional unstability personality disorder…
I am convinced I have ADHD but only inattentive type and I had the worst interview with a psychiatrist for that and she was awful. I’m 35 and my mum kept going on about how clever I was when I was a kid so that really put the nail in it even though ADHD isn’t supposed to have anything to do with intelligence! I dread trying to get a second opinion.
I don’t think people realise how hard it is when people have anxiety and the psychiatrist is questioning everything you say like you’re stupid. I get so stressed just thinking about it! So I know where you’re coming from!
I really hope you find someone who understands things better and that your new GP can help. Hopefully there will be better services out there. Anyway, even if I don’t have PDA just reading your blog has helped me a lot so thank you and I hope you continue to write when you are able.
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Its a shame to try to fix something when its not broken. Hope you can manage that psychiatrist without too much pain and anguish.
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That’s terrible – can you have a second opinion? or see your MP? The nightmare never seems to end does it? I’m sorry to hear you’re having to go through this! I hope you can find a way of solving this awful situation – Much love –
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