Deeply ashamed of BPD label.

[cough cough]

Initially when I was first known too mental health services I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder because I commented I was feeling 'empty to the psychiatrist, I was going though a big depression moment and I was feeling pretty rotton, thats why I think I got the BPD diagnosis, well since then I've now been diagnosed with Biaplar type one but I still have the BPD diagnosis, why havent they taken that away if the depression was caused by BP?

[talaiporia]

It's probably worth asking. I know that when moods fluctuate, it can be difficult to decide between bipolar and other mood disorders, or BPD sometimes. I've also met quite a few people who've had their diagnosis changed from BPD to Bipolar and a few who've had it changed the other way.

I imagine you could have both at the same time, but it seems more likely that it would have been "replaced" by the Bipolar diagnosis. Have you actually asked them if it's still considered valid?

[cough cough]

I asked and she basically didn't give me a direct answer, she said you show traits of both.

[talaiporia]

Oh right. Could you ask what traits it is that you show? For example, you have to show a certain number of traits (5 I think) to be officially diagnosed. If she's not sure, perhaps it's worth asking for an assessment to find out one way or another. It sounds like she isn't sure herself.

You can have both and it's not something to be ashamed of some of the most artistic people have traits or are bpd so even though it has some disadvantages like all mental health it can be positives

[Gone.]

What is it about the BPD diagnosis that you hate? It seems that there is something there that makes you hate the label, rather than living with it and trying to move past it. At the end of the day, a label is a label and not a definition. It's something you have, not something you are. It might be that you don't agree with your psychiatrist and that's fair enough, tell her, but don't get hung up on it. These labels are supposed to exist to help your recovery and to progress you in that, not work the other way, so perhaps you could look at the bigger picture and use this to get past whatever you're feeling and use the psychiatrist's help to do that.

Being labelled with BPD doesn't change who you are. It doesn't mean you know yourself any better or any worse, it's just a label for diagnostic and medical purposes, rather than your own. You can still be whoever you want to be.

As a random aside, although I understand all this, I am reluctant to be diagnosed with BPD which is hanging above my head as a diagnosis, I just haven't seen anyone who could diagnose me officially. I do get where you're coming from, I really do, even if your situation is different to mine, and I am trying to teach myself the train of thought that I described above.

[Ballerina123]

You can have both.

Depression is not in the criteria for bpd but emptiness is not in the criteria for bipolar so you could have both.

Also no one but your team need know about your diagnosis so no need to be ashamed if you tell no one. Not that there is anything to be ashamed of it as its a recognised psychiatric disorder.

[Ami]

Same ive been diagnosed with eupd but we dont talk about it that. Unless im holding the dx criteria at ward round challanging the psychs :p

[Patent Pending]

I understand there can be a stigma with the BPD diagnosis but it's not something you should be ashamed of. At first I was very against the diagnosis of 'BPD traits' at first but I've learnt to accept it and it's given me something of a relaxation towards my diagnosis.

x x x

[DannieGirl]

i was dx with bpd/eid for 4 years...i got sick of it as i was and still am sure i have bipolar... i ended up going to a provate psych to look at stuff for me. he agreed that i don't have bpd, his reasoning was that i haven't been helped by cbt, the stepps course (a group therapy for bpd), my depression wasn't being treated with anti-depressants but actually making me worse by sending me manic and my mood swings were far too long lasting...oh and i ended up having post natal psychosis after having my lg..which 1 in 3 women with bi polar get. so i have been diagnosed with bi polar.
the problem with the bpd/eid label is that it comes with the stigma of being manipulative...you go to a&e with a bpd diagnosis you are brushed aside for being an attention seeker...you get referred to the crisis team...they come over to see you and literally just say "due to your diagnosis there is nothing we can do......goodbye"

made me cross...

[roseblue]

It might be worth asking your psychiatrist again but this time to Clarify. I know they can keep somethings back if they deem it may affect your mental health but i think it is really important to let them know how you really feel about these two diagnosis.
If you're honest again with them they will respect for that but i think the they could help you put your mind at rest.

Do you have a therapist to speak to aswell?

[PinQ]

I understand there is a stigma around the BPD term and also it is an illness that lay people know very little about. In fact usually when I tell people I have it they have never heard of it. That is why I have started using the term "emotionally unstable disorder" as at least it offers some insight into what the disorder is. I can understand feeling uncomfortable with the BPD label but do you think it might be because you don't know enough about it?

[cough cough]

I told my CPN that I feel uncomfortable with the label and she's going to bring it up with the doctor when I she her next month, they havent given me clear explanations why I have BPD and looking at the symtoms I don't think I have it.

[roseblue]

^^ That is good progress. Hopefully you'll get to the bottom of your worries and be able to sort this out :)