Recently diagnosed with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder. (BPD)

[In-a-daze]

Got diagnosed a few weeks ago with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder also known as Borderline Personality Disorder. Getting this diagnosis knocked me for 6. I am in my late 40s and been in and out of mental health services since I was about 23. I am now with the complex care team and have a care co ordinator. I am trying to get my head around it and except it but I am more confused and lost than I was before. I do not know who I am any more, feel like I have been split in 2. Don't know where I go from here. Any advice or help would be very much appreciated.
Thank
J

[Stellata]

Can you say a bit more about how you feel split in 2? What confuses you?

I think that any diagnosis can be a bit of a headspin, even when it's been expected. But to get one after about 20 years, that must be a real whirlwind, so go gently with yourself.

[Busby]

Hi In a Daze, I agree with Stellata, its strange hearing a diagnosis, and must be particularly hard after being out of the services for so long.

I can empathize with you, I just found out I have the same diagnosis accidently by requesting a letter from the doctor for flexible study arrangements for my course. Apparently it has been on my records since 2010!!! I am currently in the process of trying to be refered back to the mental health services.

The only advice I can give is try not to feel consumed by the diagnosis. Dont feel like you have to have particular issues and act on them just because the diagnosis states thats the case. The positive side of labelling is that it helps the services find the best way of helping you and providing the correct treatment plan/meds.

tc
xx

[Ballerina123]

I would a advise educating yourself about the illness. I find that the more people know about their problem the more insight they have and therefor the easier it is to detect relapse or arising issues.

Also talk to your team, particularly the doctor who diagnosed you. Try to understand why they diagnosed you, what parts of the criteria you fit and what kind of treatments could be avalible to you in your area.

When it comes to mental illness, no matter what the diagnosis, knowlege is certainly power.

[frenchhorn]

I was diagnosed with EUPD about 2 and a half years ago now and although I suspected it, it was still a shock and knocked be back. There is the BPD thread which is for people with EUPD/BPD, so feel free to post in there.

I agree with ballerina, try to find out as much info about it as you can, mind and rethink are good places to start.

[Pappi]

Quote:

I do not know who I am any more, feel like I have been split in 2.

i feel like this a lot. I made a thread about it.

I think educating yourself and working with your therapist and care coordinator are the best ways to the illness and come to terms with it.

do you know what treatment you will receive?

xxx

[In-a-daze]

Stellata.. I feel like I am 2 different people, there is me and then the other me who has EUPD. I get confused not knowing which one I am. Don't know if that makes any sense.

Pappi... I have been told I am going to get Dbt.

I see a counsellor every Monday, been seeing her for a year. I can trust her, I am beginning to be more open with her.

Only had my care coordinator for a few weeks, I don't feel like we have connected. I don't think she understands me. I feel worse after seeing her, had to ring Samaritans after her last visit.

Bought a book today called Stop Walking On Eggshells, got recommended by one of staff from crisis team.

Thank you to you all for replys.

[Stellata]

Yes, that makes sense. My BPD symptoms generally really only show up noticeably when I'm under large amounts of particular kinds if stress, and especially now I have more coping skills to manage things more effectively, the split can be even more noticeable until things balance out more.