|
there's no definitive proof of chemical imbalance... I mean, you don't have any factual testing... it's based on self-report and your feelings...
This is true, however disconcerting. Chemical imbalance is a theory, but not entirely proven. And we are diagnosed through self-reports and what our providers witness. It's not like we're given tests on our chemicals or even brain MRI's (though some studies show that brains with those with mental illness are different, those with trouble with mood regulation are different, etc., but they don't do MRI's on us).
I do think there's this dichotomy made between personality disorders and illnesses like bipolar and schizophrenia, where PD's are somehow someone's 'fault' and illnesses like bipolar are not your 'fault' because it's your brain that's messed up. Hence, even though there is a good deal of stigma associated with bipolar, I would contend that there is more with PD's. They don't 'get' to say "It's not my fault." And I'm not sure that's either fair or accurate.
They're not sure why certain meds work, either. If you look at info on so many psych meds, they say things like 'the mechanism of effectiveness' (wildly misquoting here) is 'unknown.' Though there's the theory that if you get better on mood stabilizers then it's bipolar, or at least an indication.
One thing that lots of tests have shown though, is how hereditary these conditions are.
Maybe there are genes involved, environment, temperament, chemicals/brain stuff, my suspicion is that it's a combination of all of these with most mental illnesses.
There's a lot of association between early trauma and BPD, though I've read studies where early trauma is associated with many mental illnesses, including bipolar.
So there's lots of stigma with BPD, but if it helps any, I for one don't believe in the dichotomy of 'fault' versus 'no fault.' Not sure what to replace that dichotomy with, though...
|