Labels
Let's talk about labels when it comes to personality disorders. (BPD in particular, though it can be applied to anything)
Are labels helpful?
Does it help to know that you have something and thus having the ability to understand ourselves better? That way, can you separate your disorder from who you are as a person?
Or are they, perhaps, not so helpful? Do you think that it is possible that a certain label is in some cases used to justify certain behaviors?
I personally find them to be helpful as long as the person takes responsibility and accountability for the things they do.❤️
Hello @Hanaa00
Personally, I think labels can be both helpful and unhelpful. On one hand, they allow you to better understand yourself and behavior. They can also be used to create a community of people with the same disorder. On the other hand, labels can be used for stereotyping.
I was pretty sure I had BPD but getting the diagnosis meant I could access for help from the mental health team. It also helped me understand the way I behave and what I feel. I am working with my therapist to change my behaviour and to be able to cope better with my distress intolerance and get some sort of emotional regulation. DBT skills really help. I wish I'd got my diagnosis years ago. I don't see it as a label. People who are diabetic are labelled it's just something they have but they are still a person separately from that. I hope it's the same for me. Though there will always stigma and be those who are uneducated about BPD who say things that make you feel bad. You just soon learn who are people you dont want in your life.