YRS phone call & no BPD = no DBT

It’s odd when an interview to determine appropriateness for a particular service seems a bit like a job interview. It almost feels as though you have to sell yourself a certain way in order for them to accept you into their service. “What do you think you need help with?” Ummm…. “What would you want to work on the most?” Err…I dunno! Good thing it’s not a job interview, I wouldn’t be in with half a chance otherwise. The woman on the other end of the line at YRS (youth mental health service) told me she had looked up my health records and noticed I’d been referred for DBT. I confirmed yes, the psychiatrist at the psych ward had recommended I do DBT and thus the psychiatrist I was seeing at the time referred me to the DBT program a year ago. She said she’d ring A St (DBT place) to find out my position on the wait list, discuss with the team whether their service are able to accept me or not, and ring me back probably on Friday.

That same day in the afternoon I had an appointment with D. I told him of the outcome, in which the lady will contact A St and get back to me. D told me he was aware of the referral, but wasn’t sure DBT would be the best treatment for me though some of the skills could be useful. “Have you heard of something called Borderline Personality Disorder?” he asked me. I told him that I have. “Has anyone ever told you you have Borderline Personality Disorder?” I shook my head no. He told me he “doesn’t think I have it.” I couldn’t help feeling relieved and a little pleased upon hearing that. Though he also said it probably means I’m not eligible for DBT as they require a BPD diagnosis for admission into the program. No DBT for me? Gee what a pity… Can’t say I’m all that disappointed to be honest.