Talking about Dx's with T?

Question guys? My T recently added bipolar to my PTSD diagnosis a few weeks ago. I have been pretty annoyed about it so I have ignored it until tonight. I started reading about bipolar disorder on here and I ended up clicking on borderline personality disorder stuff by accident. All I can say is WOW, that is me like 100% to the smallest details. My question is... no one ever mentioned it it me before as a possibility. Should I bring it up to my T, and ask him about it? Or leave it alone and let him Dx me, since him and my pdoc are the professionals anyway. If I should bring it up, what in the world do I say to him? Seems like an odd convo to start.

I would bring it up ... otherwise you'll be left thinking that's what it is and self dx'ing, this way T can help you sort it all out. Maybe the best way to tell him is doing what you shared here; let him know you were looking up online about by bipolar and came across the bp information and how that made you wonder and can you go through it together?

Okay, I'm going to say something that I might get dissed for, but I'm going to say it anyway. Borderline Personality Disorder is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in our society. Bipolar is much less common (Bipolar is genetic/BPD is probably has a genetic component for emotional dysregulation ie. temperment and then compounded by environmental invalidation and in some cases trauma--emotional, physical and/or sexual) . .. BUT Borderline Personality Disorder is not diagnosed as frequently because it is the orphan diagnosis of the psychiatric/psychological/MSW community.

Insurance companies view "personality disorders" as incurable. This is not correct assumption on their part. Research has shown that many individuals with BPD get better with treatment, BUT it's not short term/solution orientated treatment. Unlike Bipolar, BPD is not significantly changed by medication (and no, I'm not saying that Bipolar is only treated by medication--they need psychotherapy too). But BPD individuals urgently need and require extensive and GOOD manual based therapy.

Yes, in some cases, medication can help people with BPD, but a lot of individuals are NOT helped or significantly changed by medication.. . if a person with BPD is dealing with a severe depression or other issues (i.e. suicidal ideation/self injury, severe aggression and acting out behavior), they might find some relief with medication, but the majority of the symptoms of BPD are not treated or responsive to medication. It often takes long term therapy with periods of medication intervention that really brings about change. In our cost effective society, not many are open to that kind of treatment.

What happens? Psychiatrists and psychologist diagnosis clients as Bipolar or Bipolar II, rapid cycling mood disorder. I will say that I'm not dissing anyone's diagnosis, I'm just saying what I've observed as the bias toward diagnosing anyone as BPD. Some clinicians refrain from diagnosing BPD because they really want to help their clients and they KNOW that the therapeutic community views individuals with BPD as "manipulative" and "difficult to deal with". I'm not saying that is the truth because as someone with BPD, I know that a good clinician with a solid foundation in treating this disorder is a life saver; they know that the client can become a productive member of society who contributies a lot and can live a life well worth living.

The bias is changing slightly with effective treatment results but a lot of clinicians really shy away from that diagnosis and tell their clients that they are Bipolar or are depressed, have an adjustment disorder or have BPD "traits". Sorry gang, but in most cases, if you're exhibiting BPD "traits" you're struggling with the disorder. BPD comes in many shapes and forms, it's NOT just the character portrayed in FATAL ATTRACTION. Many of us function in society, hold down professional jobs and live good lives . .. the sad thing is that we aren't fully connected and feel that life is somehow passing us by. BPD is a terrible disorder, but it isn't the monster that so many people have made it out to be! Sadly, few clinicians that care about their clients are able to actually tell them that they are suffering from BPD.

Speaking from a medical standpoint, I rarely read notes that have a dx of borderline. Pdocs in particular avoid it because there is no recognized medical "treatment" for a personality disorder. They figure there's no reason to label someone with this potentially disruptive diagnosis when they can't "fix" it. You can bring it up as a discussion point, but it's a slippery dx and he may not feel comfortable with it.

ETA: Jaybird posted while I was writing my reply. It's exactly what I meant to say, just much more eloquent

I'm in a similar situation. I read some stuff about BPD and I really related to so much of it. I ended up taking it to my T and we discussed it last week. She asked me what it would mean to me if I were diagnosed with it, I said it would be an answer - it would explain so much, because depression/anxiety doesn't seem to be the extent of my problems. She agreed with that, and although reluctant to label me, she said I do seem to have a 'modicum' of BPD. I see a private T and don't go through any insurance or anything so a diagnosis isn't likely to make any difference to me in that respect, and I don't think my T would otherwise have said she thought I had a 'personality disorder' because I think she thought it would upset me (and she doesn't like the term!) but I'm glad I brought my suspicions to her because hopefully now we can better equip ourselves to work together.

Jaybird, you always say it so well. Thanks!!