Thanks everyone. I know that the DSM-IV wasn't really designed for the real world and that names are just names, but if someone came up to you and said, "I don't think your name is really Christine. I don't know what it is, but I don't think it's Christine." it might be a bit unsettling. Yes, you're still you and nothing has changed, but it's an awkward position since we've become so used to that paradigm. As a culture, we like putting labels on things and sorting them into categories. I know that psych is all shades of gray, but the fact that there isn't really a "best fit" here is what frustrates me. I'm actually beginning to think that my psychiatrist just doesn't believe in giving diagnoses. I think his theory is to treat symptoms and not worry about names. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it sometimes gives me the impression that he doesn't really know what he's doing. Of course, he's a psychiatrist... much of his job is educated guesses.

Just for fun, here is the list of things with which I've been diagnosed at some point in the past: Bipolar, Bipolar II, Major Depressive Disorder, Cyclothymia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety, B-Cluster Personality Traits/Borderline, Avoidant Personality Traits, Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, Attention Deficit Disorder, Somatization Disorder/Hypochondria... I'm probably forgetting a couple, and there may be some I don't even know because they don't always tell you.

Hey, how do I get in contact with the people writing the top-secret DSM-V? I think it's about time we named something after me. haha

Seriously, thanks again for the words of reassurance and support everyone. I'll keep lurking on the boards, but it helps a lot to know that I'm welcome and can find understanding friends here, whether or not I've got a name to describe my pains.