Thank you for sharing your truth with us Louella. Pretty profile name by the way! I agree that there is a lot of negativity around BPD. Doesn't seem reasonable to stigmatize some mental health problems while de-stigmatizing others. Someone posted an interesting note with their view that depression is a form of personality disorder. I live with depression myself and I found that very interesting. My default is: a person's a person and should be treated accordingly with peace and respect....that includes folks living with BPD or any other mental health problems. One thing I try to model in my own little community is to refrain from labeling other humans as "toxic." I have noticed that the word is getting thrown around a lot in society. It reminds me of "toxic waste" and I think the words we use to describe people have ripple effects. So I never label any human as toxic and when my friends do, I gently ask what they think the implications of that word could be. For example, back in the day it was considered fair game to call a human living with mental retardation a "retard" but over time people realized how damaging that word was. That was a sidebar, sorry! But my point is that people with BPD are still people and so their problem should be spoken about in helpful and respectful ways.

I commend you for taking another swing at therapy after your long break. I hope one of two things happens for you. If you were misdiagnosed with BPD, I hope your new therapist can correct and clarify things for you. Or, if the BPD seems to fit, I hope you can find new ways to think about it....and receive non-judgmental support and care. We ALL have strengths and challenges. People with BPD and people without it....nobody is more than or less than anyone else. And you are not your diagnosis. You are a person. Your diagnosis is simply a way to get treatment billed and reimbursed or to learn more about some of your challenges. You don't have to let it define you.

Peace and hope to you! You deserve it!