[Little Jay]

They used the words "emotionally unstable personality" which really upset me to be considered unstable.

I can understand how that may feel upsetting, but it's also a good thing to know if you're not emotionally stable. It is something that can be worked on through therapy and/or medication.

I remember quite a few years ago in the hospital, my psychiatrist said that although my IQ was high, my EQ (emotional intelligence) was very low. It didn't feel good to hear that but I have slowly been building up my emotional intelligence over the years and the difference is huge. You'll need to put considerable work in, but you can become more stable over time.

[elevatedsoul]

[Ofeelia]

Hi, I'm deeply sorry to hear your reaction to that. Since there is a lot of stigma with being labeled with BPD, some psychiatrists and therapists prefer to use other terms such as (emotional dysregular disorder" etc. They are also finding a strong link between PTSD and personality disorders. And the DSM has actually considered removing personality diagnoses altogether. My hunch is that maybe personality disorders seem untreatable and this gives doctors a way to bill for a diagnosis that might be more financially rewarding. I also think that people feel a lot of shame when they hear that their is something inherently wrong with their personality. I do feel that BPD consists of the individual not being able to regulate their emotions, resulting in symptoms that are conveyed by BPD. I could care less what kind of label they want to use, it does not define me. The ways in which I act, think and feel are so complex that they simply cannot fit in one paragraph or one billing code. Im glad youre seeking help and being inquisitive about this. You are obviously not alone. I crave stability, yet I also yearn for dysfunction because it is what I know. Im afraid to change. We developed these coping mechanisms in order to survive. They are not bad. They are just there. What we choose to do about it is the bigger question.