Quote:
Originally Posted by Skies
Hi Crypts,
My point is that that the borderline label is used in a negative way by those in the mental health field to invalidate, blame, etc. I thought it would be worth mentioning here that there are implications to having the label in your record due to stigmas. That's why most MH people don't use the label even for people who have the criteria. Most who work in the field seem to recognize this (i don't work in MH but know others who do and this is consensus).
For example, someone is abused by the therapist and files a complaint. The therapist denies the harm and blames it on the client saying they are borderline, and filing the complaint is because they have a personality disorder.
Another person posted on the psychotherapy forum about not being allowed to go to back to a hospital because the staff said she was borderline (ie trying to get attention, taken care of, manipulative, etc). The person was very unsafe and didn't get the help she needed. It happens all the time.
I agree any labels can be used against you in a sense. I've had problems getting treated for physical health issues as I've been told it's all in my head (ie anxiety), when it wasn't. So I was misdiagnosed and had really serious implications and had long term affects from having a MH diagnosis in my record....long story.
That's the message i was trying to convey. Thanks for your perspective.
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I am not angry at you or in any way feeling aggressive toward you and I apologize if I came off that way. My main point though was many people are afraid to even be checked for BPD because of the way the stigma is discussed. Not everyone believes in that stigma - and it can be averted if you take the time to give a quick assurance to someone who may know nothing about it. When someone finds out I have BPD or when I first tell them, if I have reason to believe they know nothing about it - I tell them "it doesn't mean I am a danger to anyone other than myself at times and it is in no way related to DID or bipolar. Its just a part of my personality." they usually calm and if they have any questions, i let them ask ... that way i dont have to dodge rumor mills. But there is huge stigma surrounding bipolar as well. And when I was working - I was looked down upon more for my depression than anything else.
Stigma of mental and emotional disorders is bad no matter what - unless there is education first.
And yes, there will be corrupt doctors, but that will always happen, no matter the field or diagnosis. Medical doctors have been known to give meds they know will cause annoying side effects to patients that annoy them at times. It's the nature of the world we live in. It's corrupt.