Personality disorder or dissociative disorder?

I am diagnosed BPD. But I dissociate. I lose time all the time. I do not think I have others in me (DID/MPD) but I am not sure. Friends frequently tell me I've said something and had no memory of it. Or I find things I've purchased and don't have a clue why or when I did it. I don't know if this is just dissociating or do I have an alter coming out? How do I tell?

Hi BleedingAngel, Dissociation is actually one of the nine criteria used to diagnose BPD (Diagnostic & Statistical Manual DSM: #9. transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms). I think that people who have BPD often get emotionally overwhelmed. I know that when I am extremely stressed, I often don't remember what people have said to me or what I've said in response. I've had entire therapy sessions that I've dissociated away what was said between my therapist and myself. I think the only one who can tell if you have a dissociative disorder, along with BPD, is your therapist. Dissociation exists on a continum, meaning that we all dissociate to some degree and some more than others. Some people think that if they have a dissociative disorder then it means that they don't have BPD. In actuality, many of the experts believe that probably 70% of those diagnosed as having a dissociative disorder (DID or DDNOS) can also be diagnosed as having BPD. I sugges that you have a very frank talk with your therapist about this and discuss with him/her your concerns, especially about memory lapses. Good luck!

Yes, BleedingAngel,

Dissociation is not uncommon at all for BPD. I frequently dissociated in youth which caused a lot memory repression. My current psychiatrist told me that my history of dissociation was overlooked, as I also have a seizure disorder.

A book that I read on dissociation talked about how those with epilepsy cannot be diagnosed with emotional dissociation. The difficulty with this, is the fact that people with epilepsy can have seizures and also dissociate in emotionally stressful times. My personal experiences is that seizures usually hit right as I'm coming down from the stress.

Anyway...dissociation with BPD is very common!

Bleedingangel- I can relate to the loss of time/memory. It happens all the time to me. I'd be lost without my planner I keep with me.

Shezbut, would you happen to recall what the book was called? I have similar experiences, and also have epilepsy. But was just dx as BPD last week, so my quest for resources and information is in full swing.

hentaywee,

The book is called: The Stranger in the Mirror - Dissociation: the hidden epidemic, by Dr. Marlene Steinberg and Maxine Schnall

http://www.strangerinthemirror.com/questionnaire.html

Check out the link. Welcome to BPD I can understand your search for answers. It's always nice to meet others here also dealing with E. The E always complicates life in little ways - big ways, depending upon where you are in life. Hope that your sz's are controlled. Best wishes to you!