Psychiatrist says I might have BPD
So I've posted on here before wondering if I could have BPD. I finally got a psychiatrist who says that may be my diagnosis when I get 18. I'm a mess and am currently considering residential. Has any one gone to residential? How was it?
Hey I'm a diagnosed BPD too, and I can tell you that in my opinion, residential isn't a solution at all.
Solutions and well being goes along with Dialectical Behavior Therapy,Schemas Therapy( you can ask your psychiatrist about thoses) managing better your emotions, making stronger links and healthier links with your relatives and family, learning to love yourself more and be more patient... Find activities and occupations that makes you feel good about yourself, having a good life hyegiena , stop unhealthy behaviors if they are some etc... Overall be patient and don't stop living for a diagnosis, which is a basis to better living and not a definitive thing or a curse, it's still an hypothesis for you to work with as a basis.
Residential would just make everything worse in my opinion.
Good luck and stay strong :)
@Tigrionok
I'm here just because I am writing a big research paper for a class on how social media affects mental health. I came across somethings on pinterest that described borderline personality disorder and I found myself hardcore relating to quite a lot of them. I know that there is such thing as having borderline tendencies. But I have anxiety, eating disorder, depression, and many other things so I'm wondering if anyone on here have any ideas how to possibly help me get a better idea of if I could possibly have BPD. My therapist is on maternity leave so typically I would ask her, but I'm seeing a new person for a month while she's gone, and I don't feel comfortable asking her because she doesn't know me at all. So I didn't know if someone her possibly had any idea. lol sorry I know that that is a lot of words but that's really nothing compared to my brain. :)
Take care!
With love,
Breathe
@JustBreathe11 Hi. :) In order to be diagnosed with BPD, you need to fit at least 5 of the Diagnostic Criteria as put forward by the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). If you have 5 or more, it's best to go see a psychologist or psychiatrist who'll be able to do a proper assessment. Here are the criteria (from the DSM-IV:
1. Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5.
2. A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation.
3. Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self image or sense of self.
4. Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially selfdamaging (e.g., spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating). Note: Do not include suicidal or selfmutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5. 5. Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or selfmutilating behavior.
6. Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days).
7. Chronic feelings of emptiness. 8. Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights).
9. Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms.
The latest DSM has the same criteria, just with very minor changes. It goes into a bit more depth.
@JustBreathe11 Just as a side note... Eating disorders and BPD frequently occur together. Hope all of this helps.
Residential has it's downfalls, but it can also be helpful. It really depends where you're at in your life. Last summer I lost my job and boyfriend in the same week, I didn't have school, so leaving for residential wasn't a big deal. But if you have a job or school it can definitely mess those things up. I found a lot of help in residential. I went to Timberline Knolls in Illinois and for the first time in my life I really got that I'm not worthless. I also realized that my entire life has been spent fighting against everything, and so instead of fighting against everything, now I fight for everything. I really needed the time away from everything to get myself together. I only went to residential after 4 suicide attempts and 9 hospitalizations. It was definitely last resort for me. Now I'm doing better than ever. I would definitely talk to your psychiatrist and/or therapist about it and see what they say. I had a good experience and it helped me, but I don't recommend it for everyone. If you want to talk more about it feel free to message me.