My CMHT (Psych/CPN) and ED team don't use the term Borderline Personality Disorder, although I know that's what is on my notes as I'm in treatment that you can only be referred to with BPD as an official dx and the psychologist who runs it told me that's what I'm being treated for. My ED nurse uses the phrase "Deep and complex psychological and emotional issues", which I've been told by the people who run the BPD treatment is their coded way of saying BPD. It's so frustrating, it's like it's a bad word and it makes me feel ashamed. I do understand the reasons behind not telling someone they have BPD - the stigma and the old view that it's untreatable aren't necessarily helpful for someone to hear, but I find that it breeds secrecy and shame and makes it difficult for me to be open with them.
The psychologist who runs the group I'm in is fantastic. He sees BPD as very treatable and has had huge success with the people who have been in this group in the past. He said that he has never had someone go through the treatment who has engaged in it fully (rather than showing up every week and simply paid lip service to it) who hasn't left with a significantly improved quality of life. It is totally treatable, it is definitely possible to change and it is definitely NOT a life sentence. I know a lot of professionals still see it that way, I've worked with many when I was in nursing, but it's an outdated, ignorant view.
It takes a massive amount of work and determination to make things better, and medication unfortunately doesn't really do much to help, but I've noticed a huge difference in my ability to manage the problems that arise from my BPD since I started treatment last August.
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