[growlycat]

I think the BPD label can be harmful, because it comes with too many preconceived notions (that bpd is hard to treat, that patients are hopeless cases etc.)

My T put it brilliantly years ago--- "BPD is what they call you when your clinician doesn't like you." as in, it can be a dumping-ground diagnosis.

You can be helped!! You are worth helping! You are not an awful person!

[nicoleb2]

I totally agree. So many people, t's and pdoc's too, have such a negative view of those of us with bpd.
It's just like anything else, some people who have bpd are the stereotypical bpd, some are mild.. Not everyons has the same symptoms, the same severity, etc... we are treated as though we are all awful though because of the stereotypes

Originally Posted by growlycat

I think the BPD label can be harmful, because it comes with too many preconceived notions (that bpd is hard to treat, that patients are hopeless cases etc.)

My T put it brilliantly years ago--- "BPD is what they call you when your clinician doesn't like you." as in, it can be a dumping-ground diagnosis.

You can be helped!! You are worth helping! You are not an awful person!

I m sorry, I need labels.. I need diagnosis , so I can develop a plan ....

[anna342]

Whilst I agree BPD has a bad rep, it needs to have a label in the same way everything does so that people can be diagnosed for treatment. I guess I do get annoyed about people expecting they know how I'm going to be after hearing my diagnosis, but I try not to care really since it's just lack of knowledge, ignorance etc. BPD is hard to treat, takes a lot of time and patience and a lot of the symptoms can be seen in a negative light, but a lot of those who make judgemental statements purely don't understand what is behind the problems. Like if something seems 'attention seeking' yes it might be, that phrase could be true, but why does it have to be so badly thought of, some people have only learnt to ask for help in one way and it might not be in the ways society accepts. Also asking for attention/help is something one is bound to do when in a chaotic scary world?!

Some of those in professional roles who make those statements should know better, but I guess it's either down to what's been passed on to them from their teachers/colleagues etc or they've not found sucessful ways of working with those clients. There are plenty of professionals that aren't like that too though.

I also think the diagnosis being termed as emotionally unstable personality disorder gives a better impression of what it's about.

[Forgive77]

LOL I think I'm at both ends of this argument. I needed the label to identify with all of you, and find all of you, so I could learn about myself. However, I feel that people read a page a chapter or a blurb on BPD, and think they know everything about it. Sigh...just ludicrous. I was labeled BPD from a test, my therapist didn't know me yet...but I can imagine that therapists do give out the label or can give out the label when they feel they aren't helping someone, and are frustrated. That, or tell you you're fine, because they want a way out of not working with you, because they can't help you, and don't want you to show up the next day and shoot them. Tee hee hee. The label has scared one or two therapists I've worked with, but it was only because they weren't knowledgeable about the disease. I went to a 'retreat' where we were to write about the things we thought about that day, and turn them in. Well, being borderline, I had an opinion. The therapist read my 'private' note to the group, and told me I was vicious, and borderline. I almost laughed at her, because, one, I knew I was smarter than her, two I know she had no clue how to deal with me, because I told them I was borderline before I got there, and three I told her I was capable of way worse. She just got a negative opinion from me that day, not one of my verbal lashings...she also told me I shouldn't tell anyone I''m borderline, because it's the worst diagnosis out there, and that I wasn't presenting as a borderline. LOL Why? Because I didn't stab you? We weren't allowed and sharp objects. LOL I'm kidding...but she clearly didn't know how to handle me, and I knew it....She is a very successful therapist, but I think she is a huge joke!!

[growlycat]

Only my T needs the label--I only need to know it once to know what's going on initially. In therapy, the label never comes up. Symptoms etc. are talked about but the best T I've ever had has treated the label as irrelevant even harmful. Some day, the DSM V, Vi or beyond..who knows, the label may be changed or go away (not planned on but dx's change all of the time)
Good discussion, just wanted to give hope to those who feel "branded for life".

[cboxpalace]

I agree that this is possible for most.... but did you read my thread king of kings.. I'm not able to be helped.. Unfortunatley I ruin it for everyone else, and for that I'd like to apologize. I'm sorry..

[rainbowoflabels]

I can agree. I first heard BPD when I was in a depression and decided to get a t that would help me with the moving forward part of my trauma recovery and not see me for my past. In my initial interview i was asked if i had ever been dx with it because she saw traits in me and had been burned out from working inpatient with borderlines. Right then and there it put a fear in me that all t dont work with bpd and therefore i was determined not to ever be dx with it. A month later i was given a psychological for voc rehab and the phd that tested me dx me bpd. I totally freaked. Now a new pdoc that had never known me and just saw me has also dx me bpd. i started reading about it and i agree. What confirmed it was i just read some books from the pt and family point opf view. "Sirens Dance", "Girl Interrupted", and "Cut". I feel so much like those people although I did not totally fall into girl interrupted. In sirens dance the doc said emotional disregulation personality disorder and i can agree with that lable.

[growlycat]

Originally Posted by cboxpalace

I agree that this is possible for most.... but did you read my thread king of kings.. I'm not able to be helped.. Unfortunatley I ruin it for everyone else, and for that I'd like to apologize. I'm sorry..

You can be helped!! You are like everyone else in this way!! Everyone goes through awful acting out periods--you are not doomed, but it's ok if you don't believe me. Just keep going--it does get better.

[MrGrendel]

Originally Posted by LolaCabanna

I m sorry, I need labels.. I need diagnosis , so I can develop a plan ....

so true. i had no clue what was going on or what to do until i managed to get to a doctor that actually gave me a diagnosis. after my fisrt hospitalization they just assumed i had depression without inquiring anything further which led to more hospitalizations. it wasnt until i went to quite afew different psychiatrists till they diagnosed and boy did it make a difference. i feel like at least now i have a goal.