Should I refuse DBT because of no BPD diagnosis?

My therapist treats me like a BPD patient. I feel like I do have BPD, but she's hesitant about diagnosing me. Whether that's because it's a controversial diagnosis or because she doesn't want that diagnostic label looming over my head, it's still irritating. From everything I've read, DBT was created by a borderline for borderlines. If she says I'm majorly depressed, I'll take her. meds. If she says I have severe anxiety, I'll take her meds. If she says I have Borderline PD, I'll go to DBT. She says focus on behavior and not a diagnosis, but I feel like that's bs. If someone told me to take meds for depression and also told me I'm not officially diagnosed with any depression, I'd start looking for another dotor;so I feel like it's wise to do the same for BPD/DBT.

How many people get treated for BPD without ever being diagnosed as such? I suddenly feel like 3% is a pretty low estimate.

Right now, I'm not diagnosed, either. I am pretty sure I have BPD but haven't gotten an assessment yet. It's a newer "revelation," if you will, but I am also in the same boat as you. I want to get treated for BPD, and I also want a diagnosis. I'm going to be asking my T if she can assess me for it when she gets back from her vacation.

Have you told your therapist this? Tell her that a diagnosis isn't going to bug you, it's going to help you move on. Tell her it'll give you peace of mind regarding treatment, etc. It's important to you. Once you get diagnosed, you'll move on and do the treatment that's necessary.

From what I've read, some people take part in DBT even without a diagnosis. I'm not in a DBT program ATM, just therapy.

Hopefully someone else has something to say that can help you, too. If it means anything, I agree with you.

DBT is effective for a lot of things, from what I've heard. Yes, it's primarily for BPD, but also for depression...

On that note, an official "diagnosis" could cause insurance companies to reverse claims. Unfortunately, they are not as open to PDs as they are others. So, your therapist may be doing it to save your claims, if you've made any. Just a thought.

I would agree with your therapist and stop focusing on a diagnosis. There are lots of reasons why you don't want to be diagnosed as BPD. Doctors and therapists treat you different. You're seen as manipulative. You're seen as always doing things to get attention. They will question your every move. Trust me, it's better to go without the diagnosis. Plus, You've only met with your new therapist a few times. That's hardly enough time for her/him to get an accurate diagnosis.

DBT is helpful for all the world population, not just BPD. There is a lot of good stuff to learn as long as you're open and willing to go and apply the techniques.

Ev, I haven't brought it up yet. I plan on it for my next appointment. I truly want this diagnosis, I feel like it's part of who I am. I'll see if she'll assess me.

Grattecial, I have no insurance and I have no job. It's not an insurance thing.

Cheeze; I find that to be ridiculous. People keep saying "stop focusing on a diagnosis". Diagnosis is the first step to any treatment, whether it's psychological or medical. It's extremely important. For some reason therapists can get away with that, but medical doctors cannot. I also feel that it's incredibly unfair to the scientific community to purposefully leave a possible BPD patient as undiagnosed. It skews the statistics. If I'm assessed and she thinks I'm not a borderline patient then fine, but I refuse to be treated as a borderline patient in therapy and then denied a diagnosis. I agree that it isn't enough time to diagnose someone, however I also think that if it's too early to diagnose someone then it's too early to recommend DBT or any specific treatment beyond meeting with your therapist.


It should be diagnosis then treatment. Not the other way around; or even worse no diagnosis. Putting a name to something helps, it really really does.

I've read your posts about this and I can see both sides. You wanting a diagnosis and others telling you not to focus on it.

I myself have never been diagnosed (or seen anyone in 5 years) but I'm going to be going to someone come September (or any cancellations). If I'm not diagnosed as Borderline I'm not really sure how I'll feel... I've been clinging to this for about 2/3 years. Ever since I heard about it I thought "that's me!" So on one hand I want to be diagnosed with it and on the other hand I want to be sure I am getting the correct diagnosis and I don't want to be stigmatized if I do have BPD.

From your posts it's clear you won't be happy unless you get a diagnosis. I would ask your therapist if she has experience diagnosing personality disorders and be upfront that you need a diagnosis. Tell her what you've said here. You think it will help your progress greatly and you want the diagnosis no matter what it is.

Edit: And good luck!