I'm BDP, can i be a forensic psychologist??

Hi i used to be at uni studying psychology. I quit after the first yr due to a lot of personal stress.
However i am really interested in psychology and would like to go into forensic psychology one day. Can a person with BDP be a psychologist?? I wanted to work in prisons or law courts and some time in the future work with the police doing criminal profiling. Is this just a pipe dream now? Would i ever even be considered for employment in this area with BDP? I would like to go back to uni but don't see the point in all the uni debts if i'll never get the job. Can anyone help?

Thanks. x

I don't see why having BDP should prevent you from pursuing that career. if anything you might have somewhat of an advantage because you personally know what it's like dealing with an unusual psychology...I have always been interested in psychology myself, partly for this reason.

if that's what you're really interested in, you should go for it!

Like you I have I desire to work in Psychology but I would like to be a Clinical Psychologist. I am in therapeutic day group and I asked my Psychologist if my Borderline difficulties would rule me out doing this in the future and she said they would definitely do mental health back ground checks and because of the diagnosis they would have to very carefully check how stable I am, for instance how long it had been since I had self harmed or attempted suicide but she also said she would be concerned about my criminal record as that may effect may eligibility.

I think what's said here would be correct for a job like that, (mental illness dxes and criminal record would mean thorough evaluation.) Depending on your situation at application and what you'd done to prove you can function in the kind of way that would be needed, they could say yes or no. I'm not sure on the exact rules on police record e.g. spent convictions for a forensic pychologist. I think having experience of the CJS and having recovered from PD could add some value to what you could apply in that kind of job though the question would be whether the people assessing you viewed it that way as well as being able to show you really are recovered.

A surprising number of occupations are probably more flexible than some people would expect but would result in people being put through rigourous evaluation. Doesn't mean everything is, but also doesn't mean everything isn't.

One reason why its important that if you have some kind of dx its important to have a correct dx. Then at least when you come to try to explain yourself if you ever need to be assessed for anything like work, what you have to say will make sense and give a clear impression of where you're coming from.

A diagnosis is just a label. It doesn't mean that you can't pursue your dreams.

Yes, you can. I am a forensic mental health counselor.

anxietykiller wrote:Yes, you can. I am a forensic mental health counselor.

And you have BPD? If so was you diagnosed before or after employment? Thank you. x

Thank you you everyone for your replies. I was so scared to look at this today. I thought if i had negative responses i would feel really bad etc etc.

I was diagnosed during college, so before.

anxietykiller wrote:I was diagnosed during college, so before.

Did you have to tell the employer and did you have any problems getting employment due to BPD? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just happy I can pursue my dreams. I am really grateful for any advice. X

Some places can try and screen you for it, but I really don't think it is their business. I don't have a government job, or have clearance, so they really can't see what my diagnoses are. So no, I didn't tell them. If I am functioning and dealing with this situation with boat loads of my own therapy, than really it shouldn't be their concern. Before I was in therapy trying to manage the disorder, I bounced from entry level job to entry level job, but once you set your nose to the grindstone and decide you aren't going to let this thing own you, you can do it. YOU HAVE TO BE IN THERAPY AND DEDICATED TO YOUR HEALING. I am going through a lot of emotional pain right now, but I am dead set on staying with this job. I called out once because of the BPD, but I drag myself to work otherwise. Once you get in the habit of going to work during the pain, you can do it. You just have to learn how to manage it. I advise against telling those you work with about your personal issues. Do not try and make friends at work. It is hard, because as BPD we want love and affection, but you have to maintain those boundaries if you want to make it.