BPD diagnosis

[Gem17]

I have very recently been diagnosed with BPD. While it was very overwhelming to hear at first, after speaking about it with professionals as well as doing my own research I feel as though the past 20+ years of my life make so much sense now. Has anyone else experienced this? I would love to connect with people who may have had similar experiences.

[mmMekitty]

Hello evryone,

I do know the differences, have been interested for many years, been reading, learning lots over these years. Just my mind, it seems, getting the info mixed up.

I think it would be of use to have a place where the terms we use are explained. Good for people who've never had occasion to take an interest before, newly diagnosed people who want to understand what the diagnosis means, & for family & friends, carers, etcetra, for their own education & understanding. I haven't found a thread for that, but perhapse it ought to be on top, in the menu somewhere, rather than beneath a layer or two of forum topics.

& now, I suppose I will copy this out & post in the thread where we have been asked to make suggestions about how to improve the forum.

LOL, kitty on a crusade! 😺

💨 mmMekitty

[Gem17]

Thank you for your response Sleepy21, I really appreciate it.

I hear what you're saying about diagnoses and how they can be arbitrary. I think what I've found beneficial about it is less about the label but more about knowing that it exists and being able to read about things that help me make sense of what has been a confusing and often overwhelming period of my life. I'm guessing that's what you mean about a diagnosis being empowering if it feels right. On the other side of that, like you mentioned, my precious diagnoses which I didn't believe explained everything or really 'fit' were quite distressing at times. They felt like labels put on me that didn't make sense but were easier to diagnose and treat (though the treatment was ineffective and not something I engaged well with for this reason).

I feel like there is still a lot of stigma around any mental health diagnosis so I can understand why people fear them and don't really want them. I hope that we as a society continue to break down this stigma so that instead of feeling ashamed and not seeking help, people (myself included) feel more confident in accessing what could potentially be life saving support without fear or rejection and exclusion.

[Gem17]

Hi James, thank you for replying. The connections I'm making already through these forums are so valuable!

I am currently on a few waiting lists for DBT - how did you find it (if you don't mind me asking)? My psychologist has recommended that it would be really valuable for me so I'm interested to hear about other people's experiences. I don't know much about schema therapy - I'll have to research that one.

I've definitely found reading about BPD and people's stories really beneficial because not only is it helping me start to make sense of things, it's also helping me feel a little less alone when I have thought so many times that I was losing mind. I too though have wondered 'what now'. Everyone keeps telling me I have a long road ahead of me and that managing this will take time and won't always be easy. But knowing there are people out there who will hopefully be able to help me with this gives me some hope (it's just frustrating that everything seems to be taking so long - waiting lists everywhere).

I'm glad to hear you feel like you're doing well with support. That gives me hope!

[Gem17]

A great idea mmMekitty!

It can be a lot to take in and make sense of. There is so much information out there but its in so many different places.

[Guest_1643]

Hi gem17

The stigma is real and in that way sometimes diagnoses can do a lot of damage,

I love my diagnosis, tbh, I am OK with it, is society? I don't know.

Some ppl say really harsh and judgemental comments against those with certain disorders, I just step away from that.....and hope society is slowly changing. Sending a hug x

[james1]

Hey Gem17,

I found DBT helpful in terms of giving skills and ways to 'self regulate', but also probably mostly helpful in terms of learning and accepting that I didn't really get a chance to pick up these skills as a child. What've you heard about it?

When I did schema therapy work, I think I found that more helpful from a way of picturing or understanding how I was feeling at different stages. For me, it put a lot of my behaviours and feelings into perspective, which helped me accept my emotions a bit more.

So I guess each has been helpful in its own way, but I'd say the biggest thing has just been having a consistent psychologist support the last few years. As you say, there are really long waiting lists and it can be a bit frustrating, but once you get a group or a person who is consistent and sticks by you, it's such a big confidence booster.

James

[Guest_1643]

Totally agree , James.

Well said

[Gem17]

Hi James1,

Thank you for your insight into DBT and schema.

I don't know much about either really, only what I've read on the internet. I'm hoping I can find a way to help me identify and regulate emotions to try and help stablise my massive mood swings and outbursts. At the moment I am not reacting rationally and really need some help with this as it's having a negative impact on all areas of my life.

[james1]

Thanks Sleepy21 🙂

Hey Gem17, I really hope you find DBT helpful! I think it could do what you are looking for, and I understand what you are saying about having massive mood swings and outbursts. It's really great that you are seeing the negative impact and want to address this. Do you have much support while you wait for the DBT to start?

James

[Guest_1643]

Hi Gem, I've been recommended to try schema therapy for my own trauma and am hesitant about it, not fully knowing what it is. I have heard DBT is a helpful treatment for BPD.

I don't have that diagnosis but I have benefited from ACT, another type of therapy which works at identifying values, just mentioning as that can be done alone with a workbook or YouTube video.

I'm sorry Ur feeling deregulated. Here to listen