recent diagnosis - advice needed please! *May Trigger*

Hi!
I was diagnosed with Emotional Dysregularity Disorder in October 2011 after years and years of suffering (now aged 24). Since then I've had so many questions about the diagnosis and the disorder in general but the healthcare system has been utterly awful, and I've been unable to actually talk to a professional about this. So, I was hoping some of you might be able to talk me through some stuff?
Firstly, I've tried looking up EDD online, and it always comes up with BPD - are these in fact the same thing by a different name? If so, why do they use different names, and if not what are the differences?
Secondly, I've just had an assessment from a psychologist to see what types of therapy would be best suited for me (i refuse to take medication). She identified family therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy as being best suited, with the opportunity for further personal counselling if my "problems" aren't all solved by these two.But then she said that, from our conversations, she wasnt sure if I was extreme enough to qualify to receive these therapies through her referal, and she would go away and talk to her supervisor about it... I haven't heard from her since but this has left me feeling a little worried. I only met her once and she assessed me for an hour, when I was feeling fairly balanced and positive.
The thing is, I become very extreme very quickly, with rage outbursts, sometimes violent towards people close to me. I am also prone to self harming behaviours, ranging from drug and alcohol binges to cutting. The smallest issue can spiral me in to a depression where I contemplate suicide, although I've only been truly tempted twice.
The thing is, how can she see any of this extremeness in one hour? it's like she would expect me not to actually be a person underneath the "symptoms". my life is very disrupted by this, and hinges on being able to recieve treatment. should I try to recontact her?
thanks for your help. XX

Howdy, Omalley! Welcome to the nuthouse!

Yes, Emotional Disregulation Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder are the same thing. Some people switched from BPD to EDD because they felt it was a more accurate description of the disorder. A rose by any other name...

On the upside, although many of us do take medication for certain aspects (usually either anti-depressants or anti-psychotics), they haven't made the medication yet that can control BPD, so any recovery will have to be based on therapy, not drugs.

When I was diagnosed, much like you (and many others here, I suspect), I had never met the psychiatrists before and only saw them for an hour. They're trained to ask probing questions, so even if you're feeling okay that day, they can get some insight into what you're thinking on the not-so-okay days. So don't worry about how much she gleaned from a one hour visit.

DBT is a form of therapy with a much-proven track record in helping people with BPD. Like you, my psychiatrist feels that I may benefit from a lesser form of DBT. Hey, that's not a bad thing! It means we have more mild symptoms (like you, I have contemplated suicide on a few occasions and am a cutter). There is a shorter DBT program (the "Coles Notes" version) that only runs for five months instead of a year, so if there is one like that in your area, maybe you can get in it!

Until then, there's always us. Any questions, rants, breakdowns, whatever, don't be shy. That's what we're here for!

Hi

I too refuse to take medication. I've had pretty bad reactions to psych medication, but I know many on here do, and it helps to take the 'edge' off the BPD, and makes it easier to work on issues. You could try taking vitamins like Omega 3, magnesium instead.

DBT is good.
Many of us on here use Mindfuless to deal with our issues. I also do Trauma Release Exercises which have helped loads with stability, reducing anger and less anxiety.

Hi,
thanks for getting back to me about the above. its really great to know there's some like minded people out there with lived experiences who I can share with and vice versa.
I've only just begun to accept that the diagnosis is accurate (I did that typical BPD thing of thinking "there's nothing wrong with me, its the world thats messed up" - still kind of inclined to think like this!). This forum seems like it would be a really good step for me, and from browsing i've seen articles focusing on the positive aspects of BPD ie emotional awareness etc. This has been really helpful to me already, as from googling the illness i found a lot of articles that were actually incredibly unhelpful, and made me feel ashamed and embarassed of myself - these are not feelings I need any further encouragement in to be honest!!
But i'm really excited about joining the forum Thanks again for your responses and explainations of stuff. Looking forward to talking again soon X