[whateverforever1]

Hi guys... I'm wondering how did you feel when you were diagnosed with something?
When I was in my therapy session this week the T said "it seems to be that you are suffering from borderline personality disorder". I didn't know too much about it and googled it ect. researched and it seems to be a death sentence. I feel like in a way it might be good to know, but mostly I feel sad. Who the hell wants a PERSONALITY disorder? What's wrong with my personality, lol?!

[DelusionsDaily]

Just remember you don't have to share your Dx with anyone. Ultimately it's just a title for a list of diagnostic criteria.

Honestly, I too have BPD and was relieved because now I knew what was wrong on with me and I could finally do something about it.

Thanks all for being so wonderful.

~~delusionsdaily~~

My med regime:
AM:
500mg Depakote ER
150mg Seroquel
PM:
1,000mg Depakote ER
150mg Seroquel

[JustShakey]

MH diagnoses are so subjective that I honestly don't pay them much mind. I've been diagnosed with ADHD and Anxiety NOS. My T doesn't think I have ADHD. I'm pretty sure I would have fit the criteria for Asperger's a year ago. I have borderline traits (I'm pretty sure most people do under enough stress). Personally I think I'm depressed and have been all my life. Labels are helpful for getting insurance companies to approve therapy and meds and the like (my Adderall has been a lifesaver, ADD or no), but that's about it. They mean very little in the real world IMNSHO.

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[HazelGirl]

I have some borderline traits. I'm sure my T has really begun to notice them since they've been bad recently. The biggest thing is to be aware of it and don't let it control you. That's almost impossible for someone with BPD to do, though, most of the time.

[Petra5ed]

I went and saw a psychiatrist, spent an hour talking to him and then he was like I'm diagnosing you with MDD, GAD, panic disorder and ADD, and I was shocked.

[ChangingMyMind]

I knew somebody with BPD and I don't think it's a death sentence. What makes you think that?

Also since MI diagnosis is so subjective you may not have it at all.

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[nottrustin]

I struggle with my diagnosis even after about 7 years. Part of my struggle is that my therapist and pcdoc differ in what they think I have. Pcdoc has me as a mild form of bipolar. My therapist initially had me as major depression with some ptsd. I recently asked her if she still believes her initial diagnosis. She said that the only difference is that I have PTSD that causes the components of my depression but in no way does she believe I have bipolar... I hate both but am more comfortable with my therapist's diagnosis.

I hat

[stopdog]

I have not been diagnosed.

[whateverforever1]

Originally Posted by ChangingMyMind

I knew somebody with BPD and I don't think it's a death sentence. What makes you think that?

Also since MI diagnosis is so subjective you may not have it at all.

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I don't know much about it, but googled it and has the highest rate of suicide of all disorders and not likely to recover. It sounds weird to say someone has a disorder of the personality? like wtf. my personality is gr8888

My T says that most people at some stage would fit the criteria for a psych diagnosis, it only becomes a diagnosis is it interferes significantly in your life and your behavious is dysfunctional and causes distress.

My diagnosis explains my behaviour but I feel being medicated has changed an intrinsic part of personality. In short I am still angry about the diagnosis after 4 years.

[The_little_didgee]

Diagnoses are very subjective and depend on the skill of the clinician. Often they are wrong. Since a diagnosis influences what a therapist or psychiatrist thinks one must make sure it fits, because a misdiagnosis can cause misinterpretation and harm.

Over the years I have been diagnosed with many different disorders. Some were outrageous especially the PTSD diagnosis I got from apparent sexual abuse. I've never been abused so this really confused me. It fit part of my misdiagnosis so I can see why the psychiatrist thought that. Some psychiatrists think I have schizophrenia but I don't agree. I just say I have a psychotic disorder. I don't deny that I been through a psychosis and have lingering problems with it. I just don't want another stigmatizing label.

When I got the right diagnosis it was a relief. I finally had a description that summarized my entire life experience and way of thinking. My diagnosis was healing and it gave me hope. Before that I was given the BPD label which I got during an awful SSRI reaction that made me impulsive and chronically suicidal. I started cutting soon afterwards. Once I stopped the medication all that went away but not the diagnosis. It followed me and everything I said was assumed to be due to BPD. It was so frustrating, because no doctor and any other mental health professional would listen because they all assumed I was going to manipulate them.

I never agreed with the BPD label because it didn't describe my feelings and experiences. One day I knew I would find the answer and I did.

[roimata]

They don't tell me anymore because I go down fighting

I know the major ones/ones I have been diagnosed with by other professionals but they could have me down as "sea monster" and I wouldn't know it

[ScarletPimpernel]

I asked for my diagnoses from both my current T and Pdoc...to see if they would come up with the same conclusion. They basically did (just have slight variations).

I was relieved to know...for many reasons. And I do have BPD (well, traits now). I'm not ashamed. It just describes many of my symptoms. It's not a "death sentence". I used to often get misjudged for it. Not so much now. There's nothing wrong with my personality. I do not need to be fixed. I just need to learn how to cope with my symptoms so I can have a better quality of life. And actually, research has shown that most people with BPD "grow out" of their symptoms and will lead very productive lives.

I don't have a diagnosis - I think of myself as depressed but that is an old diagnosis from my GP. My T/pdoc doesn't think diagnoses are meaningful or relevant except in some specific cases where he has to prescribe, say, antipsychotics. But when it comes to what he does in therapy, he does not think in terms of disorders or diagnoses.

[MoxieDoxie]

I flipped on him. Yelled at him that I was not that! I wanted him to decribe how I fit that diagnosis. I think he got so nervous and could not think because he fumbled looking for that DMS diagnosis book. I snapped at him that he was not allowed to look at the book that he had to use his training and experience to explain to me why he came to that conclusion. All he just kept saying was "It is just fear of abandoment. I don't know why you are so upset. Most people are happy when they are told what they have." It cause such a rift between us for months.

[Crescent Moon]

Originally Posted by stopdog

I have not been diagnosed.

Maybe you have, but they know better than to tell you.

[stopdog]

Originally Posted by Crescent Moon

Maybe you have, but they know better than to tell you.

Perhaps, but then they would add lying into the mix as both have said they have made no diagnosis. I pay cash - no insurance involved, my life works, I take no meds, I can live without them and my life would not change for the worse if there was no therapy. I don't need either of them. I have found a use for both but it is more of an expensive hobby/experiment.

I was recently diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder after psychological testing. I feel relieved about the diagnosis and it fits. I also have other diagnoses, but this is a new one.

[Crescent Moon]

Originally Posted by stopdog

Perhaps, but then they would add lying into the mix as both have said they have made no diagnosis. I pay cash - no insurance involved, my life works, I take no meds, I can live without them and my life would not change for the worse if there was no therapy. I don't need either of them. I have found a use for both but it is more of an expensive hobby/experiment.

I was playing with you Stop. Couldn't resist.

[iditp20]

I have BDP, I am in denial. I have the traits but other stuff going on too. Maybe the denial is due to the way other people think it's not a problem and it is incurable for me.

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[Partless]

Originally Posted by whateverforever1

Hi guys... I'm wondering how did you feel when you were diagnosed with something?
When I was in my therapy session this week the T said "it seems to be that you are suffering from borderline personality disorder". I didn't know too much about it and googled it ect. researched and it seems to be a death sentence. I feel like in a way it might be good to know, but mostly I feel sad. Who the hell wants a PERSONALITY disorder? What's wrong with my personality, lol?!

Sorry to hear that. I think getting mental health diagnosis is tough in itself (still some sort of self blame for some people or idea that one is crazy), but to get a diagnosis that hints at something chronic and severe, like personality disorder, is even tougher. Which is perhaps why you calling it a "death sentence."

But I gotta say, all these are just man-made criteria. Personality disorder is not for life btw. The label is misleading and makes the person thinks so but it's not true. You may not meet the criteria at other times. Regardless, just focus on what you have, not so much on the label, and focus on getting better. You can also ask for other opinions from other doctors if the label bothers you.

[iheartjacques]

My t won't tell me what my diagnosis is, only that I have vulnerabilities that can fall into depression and anxiety.

[AncientMelody]

My diagnosis was pretty clear cut: generalized anxiety disorder. She also diagnosed me with depression, unspecified. I had depressive symptoms that didn't quite hit the diagnosis threshold for a more specific depression, it was largely secondary to the severe anxiety and hormonally mediated as well (so very fluctuating).

It wasn't upsetting or relieving. It just was.

[brokenwarrior]

When I was officially diagnosed with a list of psych disorders I was like "no s***!" and i think if in the future I was diagnosed with anymore I would be like "awesome just another to add to the list." Hahaha that's just my attitude. Remember, you are not what you are diagnosed with. It's only a small part of who you really are. The only people that really need that information is your doctors, Ts, and your insurance. Other than that, you can pick and choose who get to see/know that part of you.

[Ad Intra]

When I was diagnosed with depression when I was 16 it was amazing. I knew something was wrong, that I had more than just a string of bad days. I knew if I asked for help by saying, "oh I'm depressed" people would respond with, "well everyone becomes depressed sometimes." But when I was diagnosed I knew what I was going through had a name. Stigmatization of mental illness is still an issue, but I could clearly say that I'm worse off than just sad. At the time I had a wonderful therapist who used a diagnosis to aid me in received help, not in hindering me as a person.
However a year later I saw a therapist who was testing me for ADD and that's all I was, a diagnosis. I only saw him long enough for him to test me and be diagnosed (the *** didn't tell me he was going to diagnosis me, I had to find out other ways).