Quote:
Originally Posted by CopperStar
I have no idea about your own personal situation, but I do think it's possible to have traits of multiple PDs, some overlap with varying severity among the traits. PDs are developed early in life, typically start off as coping mechanisms, and there can be a lot of variables in our childhood situations. It wouldn't make sense for everyone with a PD to pop out with a cookie-cutter criteria checklist fitting perfectly with a given PD. Those cases do exist, but not for everyone. Many people pop out with a combination of unhealthy coping mechanisms that could fit into multiple categories. Humans are too complex by far for everyone with dysfunctions to fit just perfectly into one label.
I personally used to refer to myself as a "PD cluster****" or joke that my diagnosis was the DSM. Another way I used to try to describe it was being a mental illness "cake" with several layers. By this point in my life, I can recognize in myself (during spans of clarity) traits of PTSD, BPD, NPD and Avoidant, with a little Schizoid cherry on top. I believe that depending on which mechanisms are most active at any given time, would determine the likely diagnosis if I were analyzed then-and-there.
A lot of professionals simply never truly understand personality disorders, their mentality is a purely academic approach of memorizing symptom/behavior lists and playing match-the-symptoms with their trusty DSM. But without that deeper understanding of how PDs are developed, many lack a a furthermore understanding that it can all be very complex and that the stereotypes are frequently blown out of the water.
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I see my therapist on Monday and while I can see some BPD in myself, other than the lack of empathy, I see zero of myself in NPD. I'm pretty much going to make him tell me specifics of why he diagnosed that. I mean, it could be because I'm very cautious and can't/won't bare my soul to him. I'm also a long sober former IV drug user. And furthermore, even as a 35 yo suburban mom, I do NOT look or dress conventionally at all. I guess you could say moto meets punk. Half shaved head, other half pink/red, two arm tattoo sleeves and both calves tattoed. I wear clothes that stand out. It's fun. I like it. Kills the boredom. But I'm betting because I do pay attention to how I look, he may think I am vain and looking for attention. Uh, yeah, not vain. Think I'm fairly fugly really. Anyway...yeah. He has some explaining to do before I buy what he is selling with the NPD.
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