[Espresso]

Apparently, I've been diagnosed with BPD but no one bothered to tell me. My therapist has never mentioned it and the psychiatrist mentioned the word "borderline" only once. I found out the diagnosis from seeing something from my medical records. Is this normal? Is there a reason that they wouldn't tell me? I can't imagine that it would be beneficial to hide it from me. I'm annoyed and frustrated with the situation. I'm planning to bring it up when I see them next, and I hope I'll get some answers.

[Truth in Ruin]

Hi Espresso! Welcome to PC! That's sucks that that happened. I don't know why they wouldn't tell you that either.

[technigal]

There are a few people on here that were not told of their diagnosis. My guess is that there is still such a stigma with BPD they think it is better if you don't know. Personally I would be pretty mad if my doctors did not share my diagnosis with me. Knowing what you are dealing with is half the battle. I know for me there have been changes (small but still there) since I was diagnosed in September. I imagine once I start my DBT I will see a lot more.

Not normal, IMO. I was told I had BPD. What I wasn't told until later was that I also have Major Depression.

[dumburn]

I wasnt told, I only found out when the New psychiatrist sent an up date letter to my gp, which I was sent a copy of and it was right there at the top in bold.
I think that was the most painful, him not telling me in person but sending a COPY of a letter he sent to someone else

[Aventurine]

I think its more of a case of "that of which we do not speak" its there, but no one wants to say "borderline personality disorder"... I think gp's and the like are trying not to focus on labels but just making us "better".. more..."adaptable to society" ....

[steelfang]

Originally Posted by Aventurine

I think its more of a case of "that of which we do not speak" its there, but no one wants to say "borderline personality disorder"... I think gp's and the like are trying not to focus on labels but just making us "better".. more..."adaptable to society" ....

Totally agree with this.

Also there is a big stereotype that all bpd individuals will explode at just about anything. Most therapists don't want to be in the middle of a possible rage when they disclose the diagnosis. Denial is a common response to a new diagnosis and they don't know who is going to be particularly angry about it.

I still think he should have told you. But I personally think I would have been better off not knowing. I hate being told that my personality is a ****ing illness.

[Aventurine]

Originally Posted by steelfang

Totally agree with this.

Also there is a big stereotype that all bpd individuals will explode at just about anything. Most therapists don't want to be in the middle of a possible rage when they disclose the diagnosis. Denial is a common response to a new diagnosis and they don't know who is going to be particularly angry about it.

I still think he should have told you. But I personally think I would have been better off not knowing. I hate being told that my personality is a ****ing illness.

I would be relieved if a doc or whoever told me that BPD is exactly why I have suffered for so long and not just my inability to be like the others.. whatever that is..

[trippythreesix]

Originally Posted by steelfang

I hate being told that my personality is a ****ing illness.

This^

Trippy

[Elektra_]

today i actually talked about this.. my T doesnt like labels so she says she prefers talking about symptoms...

[hawaii04]

In my mind there is no reason valid enough, no excuse good enough to keep any information of a client, from a client. We bare our souls to them in order for them to decide for us whether we can handle it? In turn it is depriving us what is rightfully ours, even if we'd rather it wasn't. Yes, it is of utmost importance to focus on the 'symptoms' and working with them . . . yet, doesn't everything have a name? We're entitled and I will reiterate what I posted once before . . . . if I was a Cancer patient, would they just treat me and not express my actual diagnosis to me?

[Espresso]

I've heard before that "It's just a label", but still, if they're going to officially put it in my medical record, I'd like it not to be hidden from me. I had wondered if it was just an oversight where each one thought the other one was going to tell me. If that's the case though, someone is incredibly incompetent.