Diagnosed yesterday, gang...

Hey all, I am new to borderline (diagnosis-wise, but I've had the symptoms since I was a very small child). I was finally diagnosed yesterday properly after 5 years in the adult mental health services. To begin with they thought that I just had so-called "Complex Post Traumatic Disorder", but then again - hasn't everyone who has ever been sexually abused experienced some form of Post Trauma?

Anyhow, here's a small summary of what was said:

DSM IV DIAGNOSIS:

Scott presents with various numerous mood difficulties, interpersonal difficulties and personality traits which present a complication picture of psychopathology.

He currently meets Axis-I diagnostic criteria for Social Anxiety and Dysthmia.

Scott's presentation is probably better explained by his Axis-II diagnosis. he meets criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder, Depressive Personality Disorder, and Avoidance Personality Disorder. He also has traits of Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder, Dependent Personality Disorder and Paranoid Personality Disorder.

Okay guys and girls, I want to break out of this, to get better, to get help etc. They say they're going to put me into the DBT group, which will help, yet I'd love to make friends with some other kinksters who identify with Borderline, and can relate to perhaps some of my "symptoms" or diagnosis in general.

Thanks everyone, please comment and let me know your experiences.

Scott
x

That is truly A LOT of personality disorders but that's very common. No one only has one personality disorder, everyone gets diagnosed with at least two, if not more. You should definitely try DBT if you want to get better, it could be a great experience.

Welcome. It's a journey, but we're all gettin through it. It'll work out if you work at it.

Thanks to you both, yes this has been an incredibly disruptive long 34 year journey! I am 34 years of age now, and have known since as early as 5-7 years old that something was "not right" (so to speak). Five and a half years I've been with Adult Mental Health here in Blenheim New Zealand, and they only JUST diagnosed me with this this week. I know that a lot of people have plenty of personality disorders, and I was quite shocked that I had so many, but I guess brain-wise we're all wired differently, yeah?

Anyhow, DBT should start soon, I'm not looking forward to it, but that's just anxiety and probably social phobia talking

Hi Scott.

From where I sit ..on the mood swings in the local dis-order playground, I can relate. yep

You have probly found the right place, and a good place to.

A considerable list of dis-orders can be daunting and they seem to breed new ones. It's not the end though, no way.

It's more like the beginning. hang around

nonameatall ,
you are correct, the list of so-called DISorders seem to be breeding new ones, but the psychologist who diagnosed me did say that this is ONLY a label, and that it isn't particularly WHO I am.
I beg to differ right now, but I think that's just because it's new and fresh.

Welcome to the Borderline forum. Glad to have you.

I doubt you "have" all those disorders. Like you said, your doctor said you exhibit "traits" of those disorders. Perhaps Borderline PD is your main diagnosis, with the traits of the other ones. Yes? For example, my main diagnosis is Borderline Personality Disorder, but I have "traits" of Narcissistic PD, Histrionic PD & Avoidant PD. But I don't have them full-blown.

Mmonroe - I'd like to know what Histrionic personality disorder is, it sounds like something to do with attention, but I'm not sure. Also, yeah - I feel like a bit of a fruitcake having ALL these things wrong with me, but I can't do anything about it now , they're mine so I should own them I guess.

Yeah Histrionic PD is more about craving attention and being overly emotional but it has a lot in common with Borderline PD. The big difference seems to be that borderline people tend to be suicidal and their behavior is deliberately self destructive. They are very likely to at least attempt suicide but histrionic people are rarely suicidal and their behavior is not intended to be self destructive, it's more about excitement seeking. If you are considered histrionic, you are not considered to be at risk for suicide unless you also have major depression or something.

Good distinction, Ajrocker.

It's a little confusing to me when it comes to parasuicidal acts. Sometimes I get confused if it's a "borderline" act, meaning I really want to self-destruct. OR, a histrionic act, where I just want excitement, attention & to manipulate.

Eh... Like I said.. I have traits. LOL.