Frank Discussion of BPD: *WARNING* May be confronting

[Former-Member]

@Former-Member.. I have started this thread.. you start the discussion because I don't want to.  😛  I need to know where you are with it.  So .. go for it girl! 

[Former-Member]

Okie dokie here I am, being super brave and walking very carefully around here, ready to run if it gets too much.

I've spent plenty of time thinking and feeling this one. Firstly, I REALLY want to emphasise that I genuinely have nothing but respect for people who find this diagnosis (or ANY diagnosis) helpful for them.

Ok, here goes - I find it seriously difficult to sit with and have the opinion that so many BPD symptoms are trauma symptoms. I find BPD way too easily dished out, particularly by men particularly to women, and think it's another way that we as a society try to brush over the incredible harm that we (particularly men) can cause to each other (particularly women). 

Your thoughts?

[Former-Member]

I think BPD has become an "easy" diagnosis'  Almost a lazy one.  If in doubt let's label it BPD.  I think it does a dis-service to real BPD sufferers and those trying to help them.  I also think it does a dis-service to someone trying to help someone who has been labelled "BPD" and isn't.  If you get what I mean.

[Former-Member]

Yes I very much do understand. How do you feel about the idea that we could throw away a bucketload of the DSM and call it trauma? 

The idea of personality disorders in general kind of makes me uncomfortable. I don't like the idea that people get to decide that certain personalities are ok, but others are not. What do you think about that?

[Former-Member]

I think some personality disorders need diagnosing.. ASPD in particular.  But I have read up on BPD and it seems I am not alone in thinking the parameters for diagnosis need clearer definitions and a tightening of symptomatolgy.  Granted there is a lot of overlap in cluster B disorders but BPD seems to be the convenient bucket for almost any of them.    Plus trauma related sufferers.   Just because it has the name borderline shouldnt mean than anything that might be borderline to any other diagnosis should get thrown into it.

People suffering true BPD are truly suffering, and it doesn't help them to have misdiagnosed people in their bracket because then therapies and help become much harder to define and be effective.  BPD real sufferers desperately need real help they don't need that help contaminated because of the symptoms mis diagnosed BPD "sufferers" display.

I hope that makes some sense.

[Former-Member]

@soul  ...  @Former-Member and myself have started a discussion on BPD.  Was wondering if you might like to add some contributions and your experiences into the discussion.

[Former-Member]

Absolutely. I probably swing way too far in a particular direction and will need to keep that in check if I ever get back into that life. There are some really interesting articles on DSM from feminist perspectives that I used to love to go back to. 

I really like your point about how unhelpful it is for people experiencing BPD to have others thrown in to their diagnosis, and hadn't really ever considered that. I really appreciate the perspectives of people here who find their BPD diagnosis helpful. It challenges me to reconisder what I think and feel about it. 

Still super uncomfortable, but maybe that's just my experience. I know only a couple of weeks ago my GP's eyes rose when he read "BP traits". Didn't bat an eyelid at MDD, GAD, PTSD etc. The stigma still there....

[Former-Member]

@Former-Memberwhat is your experience with your diagnosis or mis-diagnosis?

[Former-Member]

see... wtf are BP D? Traits?  I mean we talking the abandoment issues?  the fluctuating moods?  The uncontrollable need for attention?  or something else?  That to me is a most unhelpful comment..  BP traits. That could mean such a wide range of things including BiPolar...  or was it specifically BPD? 

[Former-Member]

Until I needed a med cert, the last few years my experience has been to literally say "I hate those words and won't listen to them" to my psych. Super awkward sometimes but I wouldn't have it. I think it's probably got something to do with the exceptionally unhlepful diagnosis of BPD given to me by a psychiatrist in hospital, as encouraged by the person sitting next to me at the time appearing one way in front of people and another behind closed doors. If that makes sense. At the time bipolar was also something they considered, and decided BPD was 'probably' it. So much pain thinking about it.

Now I will accept trauma and look forward to the day C-PTSD is recognised officially. 

How about you and your experience, if you feel safe and comfortable answering?