I want to say, at the start of this, that this post is pretty-much curiosity for the most part. Nothing is likely to change, in my life, as a result of anything I read in the way of replies. But I am very interested in hearing what individuals, who have been diagnosed as having BPD, have to say about this.

I've never received a diagnosis from any mental health professional I've seen. And at this point, it probably doesn't matter. I definitely struggle with depression & anxiety & I have also all of my life struggled with Gender Identity Disorder. (GID) (I also have a history of suicide attempts, although I seem to be pretty stable at the present time.)

I've read several books, articles, etc. about BPD. And based on what I know of my younger life (I'm in my mid-60's now) I believe there was a time I could have been diagnosed as having BPD. A therapist I saw once told me that BPD tends to burn itself out as a person ages. And I presume this is what possibly has happened with me.

As I understand it one of the characteristics of BPD can be gender confusion. And, for as long as I've been actively trying to sort out my mental health problems (which has actually been for just a few years now) I've felt that there was more to my GID than simply being transsexual. I also have read that, at one time, individuals who were transsexual were considered to have BPD.

So, for anyone who would care to respond, I'd like to ask if you would agree that gender confusion is a characteristic of BPD & (if you feel comfortable sharing it) what your personal experiences (if any) with gender confusion have been, as a person who has been diagnosed as having BPD. Thanks so much! There is still a part of me that imagines, if I could just figure this all out, somehow it would make a difference. I know it's not really true, at this point in my life, but I still imagine that it could happen.

[ThunderGoddess]

I personally have not heard about the link of gender confusion with BPD nor do I suffer from it I would say I identify with no sense of self like I feel as though I'm not a real person but gender has never come into play with that for me specifically.

Hey Skeezyks, thanks for initiating this.

I've never had the kind of issues you described yourself having, but in the past, I've wondered if life would have been easier being a woman, because women are allowed to express themselves emotionally, and women don't have to make the first moves when it comes to dating, and women can cry their eyes out and wait for a savior ... all things that aren't options for men in this world.

However, after a lot of contemplation and just plain hard life experience, today, I am very happy to be a man. In a way, I like it coz it has meant that I've had to become tougher and adapt to the world, and I like a challenge. I'm used to challenges. I like knowing that I'm tough as nails, that I can take care of myself, and that I'm enough for myself. Things that may have been much harder to accept if I were a woman.

*** Women, please don't think I'm discriminating here. I love women more than anything in this world (probably the reason I'll never have one) This is just me stating my observations from my world. ***

Originally Posted by ThunderGoddess

I personally have not heard about the link of gender confusion with BPD nor do I suffer from it I would say I identify with no sense of self like I feel as though I'm not a real person but gender has never come into play with that for me specifically.

Yes, I no longer own the book. But as I recall, in the book: Lost in the Mirror it mentions "gender confusion" as being one of the characteristics that can be present in a person with BPD. And I know there was a time, not all that many years ago when individuals who were transsexual were considered to have BPD. Thanks for your reply to my Thread, ThunderGoddess!

Originally Posted by lilodian4ever

Hey Skeezyks, thanks for initiating this.

I've never had the kind of issues you described yourself having, but in the past, I've wondered if life would have been easier being a woman, because women are allowed to express themselves emotionally, and women don't have to make the first moves when it comes to dating, and women can cry their eyes out and wait for a savior ... all things that aren't options for men in this world.

However, after a lot of contemplation and just plain hard life experience, today, I am very happy to be a man. In a way, I like it coz it has meant that I've had to become tougher and adapt to the world, and I like a challenge. I'm used to challenges. I like knowing that I'm tough as nails, that I can take care of myself, and that I'm enough for myself. Things that may have been much harder to accept if I were a woman.

*** Women, please don't think I'm discriminating here. I love women more than anything in this world (probably the reason I'll never have one) This is just me stating my observations from my world. ***

Yes, I think it's important to emphasize that being trans is not a choice. One writer on the subject has coined the phrase: "the transsexual imperative". I think the phrase is apt. It more resembles a compulsion, perhaps, than anything else. Had I had any choice in the matter, I would have chosen differently, simply because I am physiologically male. Thanks for your reply to my Thread, lilodian4ever!

[Mindful55]

Originally Posted by ThunderGoddess

I personally have not heard about the link of gender confusion with BPD nor do I suffer from it I would say I identify with no sense of self like I feel as though I'm not a real person but gender has never come into play with that for me specifically.

Hi Skeezyks...

Just wanted to reply...ThouderGoddess expressed it perfectly.

An interesting concept..I have the book "Lost in the Mirror" as well. Maybe someday when the triggers subside, I will read it.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

[chasms]

I believe gender issues wouldnt be uncommon in someone with bpd, regarding with the issues of self identity. I know i have had issues with self identification and gender, particularly feeling like i am no gender at all.

[magicalprince]

I am dx bpd did and gid and I identify as genderfluid and sometimes agender. I don't like being put in roles, that's what really bothers me, cuz then I am guaranteed to feel fake. I reject every role I am supposed to fit in

[BlueWhisky]

I'm bisexual and have had lots of cllrs blame that on the BPD. Also borderline genderqueer although more female... if that makes sense.