there’s a bit of a mental health crisis in australia so finding a psychiatrist to see for a once off assessment let alone on a regular basis is almost impossible. i see a psychologist regularly and i was referred 6 months ago for the psychiatrist and FINALLY had my appointment today! she asked about my childhood/upbringing and what the timeline of my life has been, i told her i was diagnosed with BPD at 18 (i am 23 now)

she said “i don’t even need to go over the DSM-5 with you, you have had a deeply traumatic life thus far and i don’t doubt your diagnosis at all. have you accepted your diagnosis?” and i said yes i have, i burst out crying because i have never felt so validated and just... accepted? i think i may have quiet BPD? i only have outbursts when i am alone, i am high functioning and she said i am very well presented, intelligent and articulate myself well - but behind closed doors it’s totally different.

she is going to write a letter to my GP recommending some potential tweaks to my medications as it turns out the ones I am on may not be effective long term for BPD and she really wants me to do DBT in a group setting which i am all for. i guess this post is just to say that there is hope when it comes to mental health professionals! i know a lot of you struggle with being taken seriously. keep looking because i have never felt so validated in the biggest burden i have ever had to carry, and it feels like a bit of that burden has been lifted. there is hope 🤍🧚🏻‍♀️