I have Borderline Personality Disorder but I'm ashamed. (+AMA)

Personality disorders are essentially impossible to treat. Prisons are full of PDs and lots of money has gone into trying to 'cure' these people but nothing works. Sometimes they offer variations on CBD but it doesn't work and is often just done to placate patients who are, by definition, often very manipulative.

I wouldn't bother getting a label. But is up to you.

This thread dates from 1970

Personality disorders are essentially impossible to treat. Prisons are full of PDs and lots of money has gone into trying to 'cure' these people but nothing works. Sometimes they offer variations on CBD but it doesn't work and is often just done to placate patients who are, by definition, often very manipulative.

I wouldn't bother getting a label. But is up to you.

There are some promising therapies for PDs - especially DBT - which has been shown to be effective for BPD/EUPD especially. I wouldn't say that nothing works - that is completely false. Whilst there may be some people with PDs who are manipulative - it is horribly discriminatory to assume that all are manipulative. People with PDs are extremely misunderstood.

Maybe for BPD but not for psychopathy. The best behaviour therapies do for psychopaths is to give them techniques to perform better at assessments. Which is not good! I wouldn't group BPD with psychopathy tbh. They are very different personality disorders.

You're so knowledgeable in this area, how come?

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Maybe for BPD but not for psychopathy. The best behaviour therapies do for psychopaths is to give them techniques to perform better at assessments. Which is not good! I wouldn't group BPD with psychopathy tbh. They are very different personality disorders.

Haha sorry to disappoint but I'm not really at all!

It's just part of what I've specialised in. I've had the pleasure of being taught by one of the countries leading forensic psychologists who's implemented risk assessments for psychopathy/ sexual offending that's used across most of our prisons. The insight he's given is beyond, such first hand knowledge of working with dangerous psychopaths. You walk away from his lectures in awe.

I find it so fascinating but I don't think I'd be of any use working with prison populations. Psychopaths can suss out an easy target a mile off, and before you know it they end up running the secure unit, if you aren't prepared for it.

As someone with BPD I find it quite upsetting that people assume it is similar to psychopathy because whilst my behaviours can appear manipulative at times the key difference is that at the time, at least from my POV, you are not in control of this in the same way that people with ASPD are.

I also have BPD but I have no problem being compared to people with other personality disorders. Obviously every PD is different but I hate the way people try to reduce the stigma towards any mental illness they have by distancing themselves from the 'bad mental illnesses'. If there is nothing inherently wrong with having BPD (which there isn't), there is also nothing inherently wrong with having ASPD. No-one chooses to have a PD so don't demonise some PDs and not others.

I also have BPD but I have no problem being compared to people with other personality disorders. Obviously every PD is different but I hate the way people try to reduce the stigma towards any mental illness they have by distancing themselves from the 'bad mental illnesses'. If there is nothing inherently wrong with having BPD (which there isn't), there is also nothing inherently wrong with having ASPD. No-one chooses to have a PD so don't demonise some PDs and not others.

Lol well I did say seem. So you're going to do (doing ?) a psychology degree? I must admit that you seem really smart especially thinking back to how you were. Not saying you were stupid back then though

So, I find it weird even making this thread even under anon as I know TSR people can obviously see who I am but I just want to be able to talk about this thing I'm so ashamed of.

I got diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) 2 years ago. I don't want it to define me but I can't help but realise that the condition does explain a lot of my behaviours and problems. My issue is I don't know how to be open about it. I'm open about the more general MH conditions that are actually part of my BPD (Depression, anxiety, occasional mania) but stating the umbrella diagnosis petrifies me. I'm worried people will judge me.

Does anyone else on here have BPD and feel the same?

Also thought I would put an AMA just incase there is anyone who wants to ask questions about what BPD is and what it is like to have a misunderstood MH condition.

How did you get diagnosed? Do you just go to GP and talk about how you feel? Do your parents not get involved? I am struggling but dont want my parents to know anything. Also I am worried whether it would bring you down or not when applying for Uni or a job?

Hi,

Only a psychiatrist can diagnose you with a PD, not a GP (but going to a GP is a stepping stone); they are not specialists in this. Unless you're under 16 your parents don't get involved unless you want them to be involved (but PDs are rarely diagnosed in anyone aged 18 and under since personalities are still developing at that time).

As for uni: I am at uni right now and I have a personality disorder. I applied to uni and was accepted before I was diagnosed but I told my uni and they didn't withdraw my offer, simply because that is discriminatory.

Thank you. After you get diagnosed, what would happen? Since you have to pay a large amount of fee for the therapists, I think the parents will definitely get involved by the GP, dont you think so? What if the symptoms for me last for more than a year now? Should I wait one more when I turn 17 or what should i do?

Thank you. After you get diagnosed, what would happen? Since you have to pay a large amount of fee for the therapists, I think the parents will definitely get involved by the GP, dont you think so? What if the symptoms for me last for more than a year now? Should I wait one more when I turn 17 or what should i do?

I have large mood swings that can last for a few seconds or a few hours. I also don't really know how myself feel. I lust pain, blood or anything that can make me feel I am alive. I can go on rage because of some little things, but then feel incredibly sorry and regret. I dont really know who I am and I am always confused because what my friends describe me as does not match up with who I think I am. I am very possessive, hate my friends leave me alone and talk to other people, because it makes me feel that I am unwanted and abandoned. I try to behave the best, but when my teachers or parents praise me, I feel very angry and hopeless because I think it is not the true me. Although I seek attention from my friends, but I hate noise and huge parties, which is contradictive and I am wondering exactly what do I want and what do I have. I constantly feel bored and tired with no reasons, but sometimes I feel very high and have a strong desire of doing something violent (e.g. smash something). What am I ?