Lived Experience Forum

[LarrySmith]

Hi,

my psychiatrist recently told me I had, not one, but 3 personality disorders: borderline, avoidant and, surprisingly, antisocial. Although, he assured me I was not a psychopath! Seriously, though, this has led me to wonder if there are any govt funded case management services out there. From what I’ve found, these are only available to those with psychotic disorders. What don’t those in healthcare not understand about the correlation between offending and personality disorders?

I was correct in assuming people who suffer delusions get far more resources because they are deemed a public safety risk, but how is someone like myself also not a similar public safety risk?

I have had claims for NDIS and DSP both rejected, so where does this leave me, if not in a great deep, dark void?

[wellwellwellnez]

I reckon, you're onto something there.

If I can chime in, I think there's two sides to the issues. One is fixing the NDIS. Which might be the main answer for you/me/other people.

The other is everyone else. Those that are "sort of permanently/severely disabled". According to productivity commission stuff, there's roughly 10 times the amount of people in Australia who fit into that category. The best answer to that side is outside of the NDIS and moving into National Mental Health Strategy territory. Which is things like wellness policies but honestly I don't jack nothin' about such agreements. Seems we don't talk about it nearly as much.

We should though, the NDIS would make a heck of a lot of sense because you'd think it would also cover the continuum of disability communities with the rest of the whole wide world.

Also worth saying, it's a real effort tying to explain these things to the industry in ways that they can understand. Things work best when we're doing the same job. 

[LarrySmith]

I agree. There needs to be more options.  Rather than calling 000 and rocking up to emergency, which is what were forced to do, there needs to be more layers in between. Public hospitals are really only useful for dealing with crises and the NDIS has too many barriers to accessing it. I think it boils down to money, like everything in life. 

[LarrySmith]

When I asked for more support, I was told to get a mental health care plan from my GP and negotiate with my psychologist! 😩

[Bow]

Hey @LarrySmith  I agree there needs to be more mental health funding and more community mental health access. 
From my own experience it takes a lot to get into and been seen by community mental health. From there there is case management- I have a CM and the additional support (when my case manager is there, she is off work a lot it seems) is so helpful. 
You could try accessing more support through the PHN. I was referred to a mental health nurse, I dropped out of that service when community mh picked me up. 

Also, an alternative to presenting to the emergency department is Safe Haven cafes that are being rolled out in some cities. They are staffed by peer workers and are an alternative to going to the ED when having SI. I’ve gone to my local one once and found it really helpful. 

Hope these suggestions are helpful 🙂

🎀

[LarrySmith]

They are all useful suggestions. I appreciate them. 

So is the moral of the story that I just need to keep presenting to ED with worsening SI until they get sick of me? Discharge summaries describe my SI as chronic, dysthymic and worsening. 

thanks 🙂

[BPDSurvivor]

I’m sorry to hear @LarrySmith .

I absolutely hear what you are saying. 

I’ve had people working in mental health case management tell me clearly that when they see “personality disorder”, they do not take on the client. From experience, I believe this is because public MH services work from episodic models, and personality disorders take over 1.5 years of treatment to even begin to see results. Clients usually have 6 wks with a case manager unless they have a psychotic disorder which then means case management is long term and are there to monitor and prescribe medication.

Also, personality disorders do not qualify for NDIS and DSP unless there are co-morbidities.

On another note, I HAVE been fortunate enough to receive all my treatment for BPD through the public system. It was by luck. My case manager of 4 years told me it’s hardly ever seen that a person with BPD is supported as I was in the public system.

I was with a Spectrum personality disorder specialist clinic for about 2 years, and had case management for 4 years, EIPSR (early intervention psychosocial support response), and admitted to PARC 4-5 times (prevention and recovery centre). Ask me how? I don’t know. It was by luck.

Have a look at the Australian BPD foundation website. There are services in each state. Some therapies are online and do not cost anything. There’s also links to support groups.

All the best in your search.

BPDSurvivor

[LarrySmith]

Thanks. Really appreciate it. 

[tyme]

All the best with your search @LarrySmith .

tyme

[BPDSurvivor]

I found PARCs much more helpful than inpatient stays. I got so much out of staying there. It was recovery-orientated and voluntary. Back then, it was up to 4 weeks per stay. I think they’ve halved it now. @LarrySmith . Something absolutely worthwhile looking into.

When things get tough, I speak with my case manager and get an admission into PARC.

By the way, after all the treatment and support, I no longer have case management. Back then, I felt so well that I was actually ready to be discharged from case management. I set the date. It was very empowering.

For now, look at the services in your area (through the Aust BPD Foundation newsletter etc). Then when you access these services, speak to people about what services they access. This opens up your therapy network and connections.

I still have BPD episodes, but I am fully functional in society. My little quirks are part of it and I like the way it is!

Having BPD has been the most awesome thing for me. Wouldn’t regret it one bit. It’s absolutely treatable (hence doesn’t fall under the “lifelong disability” for NDIS).

BPDSurvivor