Thanks Alex. I think that he is applying that rule to all personality disorders from some of his comments. If you get better, it must have been a mistaken dx. I guess that's why insurance doesn't often cover personality disorders, and why a lot of professionals really don't like the concept at all. I can see that there are longstanding patterns that affect people and do frequently fit the descriptions of the symptoms of various personality disorders. I just don't see the usefulness in declaring that people never recover. If it can't be fixed because it is part of who a person is, then it can't really be a disorder, can it?

One POV on BPD is that it doesn't really belong in the group with the personality disorders, because it seems to be something else entirely. For one thing, most people with BPD have an identifyable trauma history, and it could be speculated that those who don't just haven't identified their trauma. But I think that some kind of trauma is behind most personality disorders.

When I was first dxed with personality disorders, it really felt like a slight because it just seemed not to be really taken seriously. Well, I didn't feel like that T (17 years ago) took me seriously anyway. Axis I seems to command more respect, or at least to be more worthy of being treated. But just like when people say dysthymia is a minor form of depression, I don't think that's right. Personality disorders and dysthymia (which some people have suggested ought to be grouped with the personality disorders, BTW) are long-term and persistent mental illnesses that may not always involve obvious symptoms or severe suffering, but personality disorders and dysthymia tend to come along with recurrent Axis I diagnoses such as major depression, anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, .... If anything, they are a more severe problem than any of those Axis I dx alone.

Rap, move away from the soapbox! Save it for class.

TC All. Rap will attempt to stop preaching to the choir now.