Pschyciatrist for TBI Anxiety

[davietich]

Hi all, has anyone here had experience of psychiatrist's who don't really understand brain injury ( I have never seen a Neuropschyologist) I have moderate front lobe TBI and have had two separate pschyciatrist appts 5 years apart - The first time I was diagnosed with GAD - been referred back to another one and he says I have ( borderline personality disorder) and wants me to go cold turkey with some CBT sessions in a few months. I am terrified after being on Ad's for thirty odd years now giving up any meds -. I am willing to give it a try but feeling the old anxiety & fatigue kicking in again - been off venlafaxine for a month now and felt much better for a while coming off it! Shrink doesn't want to see me for 6 months. eeeek!! I probably underplayed my symptoms as I was feeling quite good on the day I saw him.( I am not very assertive)

Can I demand another assessment if my Anxiety becomes unbearable or do I have to wait 6 months - does anyone know if Neuropschyologist is better for TBI people as I have never been offered such an appt with my injury having being undiscovered for decades .

I am Considering going private to Neuropschyologist or suchlike - anyone in Scotland know of a good private specialist?

I have a good Doctor but is he overruled now regarding prescribing Meds now I am under Pschyciatrist??

Any feedback or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as if my Anxiety goes through the roof I don't know what to do!!

Sorry for the rambling but it helps.

Davie

[cat3]

Believe it or not, the only psychiatrist who didn't 'get' me was the Neuropsychiatrist I saw in rehab after my coiling for a bleed (frontal lobe). I was already taking Paroxetine and it had suited me really well for 20+ years but he, in his wisdom, changed me over to Sertraline. I had my GP re-prescribe the Paroxetine as soon as I was discharged as the sertraline made me so ill.

I hope your psychiatrist told you to wean yourself off you AD's gradually (so basic to avoid serious withdrawal/panic).

Your GP should re-refer you if you're struggling without meds or else prescribe an anti anxiety med such as Diazepam to help you through the interim period. I do wonder though about these random diagnoses of GAD and Borderline Personality disorder ; doctors who're not clued up on brain injury won't understand that post BI symptoms can resemble symptoms of mental illness.

You could ask your GP for a referral to an NHS Neuropsychologist but if it's anything like here the wait will be significant. Sorry, I'm no help with private practitioners.

Good luck in finding your way through your particular branch of the BI minefield Davie...…. Cat x

[Tortie14]

After my TBI, I was diagnosed as having GAD by the team at the National Hospital. I had been on ADs for depression prior to my accident. I have a super GP who helped me get off them once I was physically and psychologically strong enough and when my life was calm enough. From my experience YOU are the expert. The best doctor is the one who you trust, who listens and respects you so you work as a team. I saw three neurologists at NHNN only the third could communicate his knowledge to me in a human and helpful way. The other two were unable to help beyond diagnosing. Good luck and keep strong you know yourself best.

[davietich in reply to Tortie14]

Hello Tortie14, thank you very much for your thoughts, and do you know this- you are absolutely correct. I was in same scenario as yourself with the Neurologist's - simply not interested apart from showing me my scan,s ( Quote - " and that's a hole in your front lobe" ) I naively thought they would suggest treatment or meds.

Luckily I have a good Doctor although it takes 3-4 weeks to see him , he referred me to the mental health team as the AD's I have been on I could not tolerate but now thanks to the pschyciatrist I am " cold turkey" and feeling worse.

You are 100% right , (A good Doctor every time) - I have now made an appointment with my Doctor again -3 weeks away thou!!

Thank you for your positive response.

Best wishes, Davie