[Secretum]

Regardless of whether or not I am borderline, I have realized something from my therapist thinking I might be and my research.

"Manipulative"

"Lying"

"Self-centered"

"Immature"

"Unable to handle challenges others can (i.e. weak)"

"Poorly behaved"

"Personality disordered"

Okay, so nearly everyone with BPD has terrible self-esteem and hates themselves. To the point where they are suicidal sometimes. And then we stick a label on them that people think means all the above.

Is that going to help them heal, or is that going to make them worse?

Hmmm, let's see. I don't think I know the answer to that one...

It's a public health crisis. A major one. I wonder what the suicide rate among borderline people looks like in the days and weeks following diagnosis. I was just told that I *might* be borderline a few days ago, and it made me feel so worthless and suicidal.

We need to change this. This is wrong and disgusting. Just wrong! Making people that already hate themselves feel even worse is a horrible thing for our culture to condone. It's a horrible thing for us as a community of people with MI (any and all forms of MI) to allow to happen. We need to rally around our borderline brothers and sisters, who had no choice in having the illness they have, and support them.

How many more people need to die before we realize that you can't make sick people better by demonizing them?!

Anyone agree? What can we do about this?

[CANDC]

Hi Secretum, I think you have identified a problem that many people feel deeply. Many people are trying to make a difference by improving themselves and their situation.

There are organizations that support mental health like NAMI that work on a national basis. Psych Central is a self help site so the goal of mass support for bipolar reform may be too ambitious for what is possible at a self help site.

Can we all be more aware, I would say yes. Perhaps we must first cure ourselves before we take on the world.

[Secretum]

I'll look into it. I'm thinking about contacting Dr. Akiskal (famous bipolar researcher at UCSD who believes that BPD isn't a personality disorder but part of the bipolar spectrum, an idea that I fully agree with). I don't intend to start a movement on this site, haha. I'm just trying to support suffering people by validating their suffering.

And I disagree. :P I think my neurodivergence-whether you want to call it bp 1, schizoaffective (labels I have received from professionals in the past) or borderline (a label my current therapist is considering)-is my greatest strength. My brain is wired differently; this allows me to see solutions that others are blind to. That is a valuable asset for someone who wants to make a positive difference!

[Crazy Hitch]

Originally Posted by Secretum

I'll look into it. I'm thinking about contacting Dr. Akiskal (famous bipolar researcher at UCSD who believes that BPD isn't a personality disorder but part of the bipolar spectrum, an idea that I fully agree with). I don't intend to start a movement on this site, haha. I'm just trying to support suffering people by validating their suffering.

And I disagree. :P I think my neurodivergence-whether you want to call it bp 1, schizoaffective (labels I have received from professionals in the past) or borderline (a label my current therapist is considering)-is my greatest strength. My brain is wired differently; this allows me to see solutions that others are blind to. That is a valuable asset for someone who wants to make a positive difference!

Wow. That's an interesting theory. Hadn't heard of that before.

On a personal level, I'm just not so sure that I'd agree that bpd falls on bp spectrum.

Purely because I have both diagnosis.

And I clearly recognise and can distinguish which behavior comes from which disorder.

Totally agree that the stigma needs to change.