Views/Opinions on Borderline Personality Disorder patients

[FragileWings]

Currently having a lot of thinking in my mind, and am wondering if anyone else has the same opinion.

Basically I think psychiatrists think borderline patients are somewhat 'all bad/can't change' therefore they tell us this, so we get it into our minds that we'll never be able to change. Never be able to get better. So we get into that cycle of trying to get help, but they view us as really negative, rather than putting us into positive mind set.... I don't know.. I am rubbish at explaining things.. but I hope you get my drift.

I was wondering what your views of borderline personality disorder patients are, and what if anything that your psychiatrist/therapist has said about people with borderline personality disorder.

Thanks :)

[I am a cat]

Im not really sure what the answer to this would be..as many different people are going to have many different views as to how they feel there psychs are with them in regards to BPD..so it would be quite interesting to see.

I know my mental health psychiatrst..is really...er...I dont know how to explain it...he always reminds me I have BPD and thats what Im going to be like for the rest of my life...Like my sociaal worker told him a a new sympton I have and he was like yeah thats pretty normal for someone like sam with BPD, and then rabbiting on about BPD some more..drives me insane...

But my eating disorder Psychiatrist is really against bringing me down with the wrds..she said to me recently "severe emotional difficulties" which made me feel a little better than someone rabbiting on about how Im screwed because I have BPD...

So yeah ...

I think some psychs can be really in your face with BPD..and saying you cant change etc because its part of your condition...but then some are cool at being open minded...

I dunno I havnt explained that to well..its quite a complicated subject really...just like the paragraph I have in my rnt about a book on BPD and what they think "Borderlines are a therapists worst nightmare" Nice!

[shadow-light]

sometimes I do think that some diagnosises make it harder rather than easier to get help... I don't have BPD, but I have heard that it is particularly troublsom for getting help and support with.

[[BrokenHeels]]

I feel that I get treated as my diagnosis rather than as Lara, and that really frustrates me. Just because some parts of me fall in line with the BPD diagnoses, doesn't mean I have to be everything on that list.

I agree with the above, that the less specific training in personality disorders the worse it seems to be.

[inblack]

I feel a lot of professionals view BPD as something that can only be cured by the paitent going to therapy and changing their personality traits and habits and learning new coping skills. And they're right to an extent.

But they overlook the fact that several of the symptoms of BPD can be treated with medications. Or the fact that there may even be a secondary diagnosis along with bpd that needs to be treated in some form.

From my experience, a lot of professionals would rather just not deal with BPD at all. Its very sad but true.

[Keyboard Warrior]

The hospital I was inpatient at after a suicide attempt diagnosed me with BPD and they treated me, no exaggeration, awfully. No respect, no involvement in my care, nothing, even without being on a section.

My psychiatrist in the community said not to take too much notice of my BPD diagnosis, as it wasn't even discussed with her in my CPA...

Generally, she's been brilliant, though, and very helpful.

[Sunshine]

my psychiatrist said that is it something you can recover from with age and as you mature, and my diagnosis is never really mentioned to me which is good because it makes me feel less "unwell" and abit more "normal"

[Bleeding Angel]

Im suprised by peoples comments, but at the same time people with bpd get the same view into thier head. Ive never really been treated differently, and ive nevr had that stigma attached to it, ive been told that it will go away on its own in time but thet may take 10 years or so.

Carmen, no one can ever answer that question so thats why its never been asked, its the whole thing about nature vs nurture vs enviroment. Someone could have a really traumatic background and deveop bpd and someone could have a loving backgroud and still develop it, no one really knows, the same with mnay illness's.

But i know with me that medication is the way to go, because that can solve things therapy cant.

[Rhea-Billie-Tate]

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.

[Pnuemonia[Blue]]

A psychiatrist in A&E told me I'd grow out of my BPD. My psychiatrist told me to keep an open mind about my diagnosis as the symptoms may change over time but my CPN just responds to everything I say with "It's part of your illness and will pass".

mixed reactions really.

[sherlock holmes]

My CMHT never refer to my BPD. They always just say "depression" or "anxiety". It does annoy me slightly, but I suppose right now I'm not exhibiting many of the borderline symptoms.

Although when I was sectioned the psychiatrist in the secure unit was telling me I would need to be there for years doing DBT. She kept saying I had no insight into my condition, when I actually had a lot. I hated her.

When I was in the self harm unit, practically all of the other residents had BPD. I don't know if it was me or them but I just couldnt get on with them. The dynamics of the relationship were so ****ed and they were childish with how they treated me and in the end I used their behaviour towards me as an excuse to self harm and sometimes I picked fights specifically for that purpose.

So I would definately not like to live with people with BPD again.

[Hollz]

Nobody ever mentions BPD to me either, despite the crisis team last week who when I saw their pysch, was like are you aware of your diagnoses etc etc and I was like yeah and gave her my understanding of bpd...

Just got to take it a day at a time.

[ferretmonster]

I'm still in two mind about this part of me is happy to have a diagnosis and part of me cried for hours when my new pysch brought up the term again, i wouldnt say i've been treated awfully as some people have here but there are times when i feel the word people select and the treatment plan suffers because of it, times when people have treated me as irrational and not listening to me.

and thinking about it now, reading this thread makes me hate bpd and me for having it.

its not the name, they can change the name it wont change the criteria

eugh but now its crossed my mind im also bizarely worried about being fully diagnosed with only traits instead of full bpd because then im not that ill right?

gah sorry ramble ramble

[Merc]

Have had one GP flat out tell me, "I dont deal with ppl like you."
Niiice.
Another was the same as others have mentioned; everything was because of or a symptom of BPD.
Been told by a psych that 'you BPD ppl' are manipulative, liars and a waste of his time.
Worst of all??
I do NOT have BPD!! My new docs have confirmed it.
But, in trying in the past to get it reviewed, I was told it def. was because i was disagreeing with it, and if I got upset, well, then i def had it!!!!

Think it is way over dx'ed, and many ppl suffer for it.

[ferretmonster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by romperfry

Have had one GP flat out tell me, "I dont deal with ppl like you."
Niiice.
Another was the same as others have mentioned; everything was because of or a symptom of BPD.
Been told by a psych that 'you BPD ppl' are manipulative, liars and a waste of his time.
Worst of all??
I do NOT have BPD!! My new docs have confirmed it.
But, in trying in the past to get it reviewed, I was told it def. was because i was disagreeing with it, and if I got upset, well, then i def had it!!!!

Think it is way over dx'ed, and many ppl suffer for it.

this is my concern as well that im diagnosed as it because i SH, but then at least this team are taking their time over it

[FragileWings]

Thanks for all your responses, much appreciated. *thumbs up*

I don't like the fact that we are called manipulative. And I only think I have the BPD diagnosis because of self-harm, which I think is ridiculous.

And I believe that the treatment is **** for Borderline patients, as a general overview for borderline. With any other diagnosis, you would more likely get treated for the symptoms rather than the diagnosis. If you've got BPD, well you're ****ing doomed basically.

I don't like when I phone up to the crisis team, that they just tell you to distract yourself. Most of them don't really ask how you feel, or why you feel like this. It's like hello, I am a ****ing human being, and deserve some respect in trying to get help, rather than topping myself. I have feelings too.

Some psychiatrists/therapists have different views on it, some can be nice about it explain why they think you have BPD in more constructive manner, and some people just dont give a ****, and leave you in the dumpster to let you suffer.

Well that's my opinion on the matter... so far.

[Hollz]

I hate to say it but I have bpd and in the past I have been very manipulative and a compulsive liar, but as well all illnesses, everyone is different and not everyone will suffer in the same way, for instance, I don't discaccoiate or have any pyhscosis, but others do, but I am pretty impulsive, self harm etc but even tho bpd, people are different you know - we aint all the same.

[startingagain]

I wasn't diagnosed until 38, so a bit depressing that you are supposed to get better as you get older. I preferred it when it was written that I have interpersonal difficulties, which I think is more accurate for me. As there are more criteria then the amount needed to have the diagnosis I agree that people with BPD vary. I've tried a variety of medications and never found them to be useful. I'm lucky that I see a very experienced clinical psychologist and he isn't interested in labels.

[discovery_journey]

I was diagnosed with BPD nearly 8 years ago when I was 28 years old.
Prior to that I was dx with solely major depression, then I developed BPD too. Fun!
Anways... over the past 8 years things have improved, so I would agree that with maturity and age the condition does get better.

However, I would say that I'm a pretty determined person and I have worked like a trojan to get better. A combination of hospital admissions/psychotherapy treatments/medications/occupational therapy.

I've had about 8 different Consultant psychiatrists in the past 8 years. Some wouldn't utter the words BPD as they a. think it's a dirty word or b. didn't want to label me. Some were up front with diagnosis/label though.
I haven't exactly had continuity of care because of the changes in Consultant though.

My CPN I've had for 7 years and she doesn't like to use BPD as a label. I don't know why. I think she finds it 'unhelpful'.

Whatever.

All's I'd say is that there is hope. I have ups and downs still all these years down the line, but my episodes are shorter and my self harm is less frequent and less severe.

Since going on medicatoin for depression at the age of 24 it took until I was 34... so TEN YEARS to get 'reasonably' stable on medication.

The way I see it is that it's a disability.
So being 'well' is within reason.
I may get back to paid work one day, but I may just have to accept that I won't be able to cope with working full time.

Anyway. Have rambled on long enough. Sorry.

[when.will.it.end]

Personally, the diagnosis doesn't make any sense to me as I've never met anyone that doesn't have problems and difficulties that can't be traced back to awful experiences that would logically call that kind of reaction and often people with other dx's such as ED's or depression have a completely embedded personality when they are severely ill, yet it is understood that it is just an illness and 'not them.' It also seems like the quick dx's when someone has bad issues with SH/suicidal tendencies and/or when a doctor just feels overwhelmed by a persons problems.

I was briefly diagnosed with it, by a clinical psychologist who was very clever but also a complete moron. She decided that our 'therapy' sessions wouldn't work if they had any structure or direction because 'of the severity of my problems' so after every session, when she had sat and agreed with all my depressive thinking, I would always come out worse. Once she actually agreed with me that my only option was suicide. Awful. I later complained about her and the diagnosis was written over by a consultant psych.