Post by Mea on Dec 22, 2015 5:17:50 GMT
Anonymous asked: I live in Colombia (I'm American Colombian) and have been seeing my therapist for a few months. She has never diagnosed me a bpd but all our work is similar to bpd therapy. I have taken a lot of unofficial tests and a lot of research and am like 90% I have bpd but I think culturally my therapist doesn't believe in labeling n I'm scared to ask her I really admire her and don't want to weird her out? She helping me do I need to be officially diagnosed? Literally all our work is like I am diagnosed
Answer: A lot of professionals don’t like labels for a multitude of reasons. One could be that she doesn’t want you to define yourself using your disorder, especially if you’re having identity issues. Another common reason is because it’s possible you have multiple disorders. Common co-morbid diagnoses with BPD are things like bipolar, depression, anxiety, and other personality disorders. Your therapist is probably approaching your symptoms, not your diagnoses. Which is good! There is no cookie cutter treatment for BPD or any other disorder, avoiding labels could be her way of professionally approaching your treatment.
However, the sense of community and belonging is important. While the label “borderline” rarely ever comes up in therapy for me, just having this community has done wonders for my recovery. I think some therapists hesitate to diagnose because they aren’t aware there are good BPD communities out there? I mean, what’s the first thing you find when you google BPD? Probably some pretty bad stuff.
I think you should mention that you’ve found some comfort in online BPD communities and relate to what people are talking about. And remember, you do not need an Official Diagnosis in order to be treated for BPD. Diagnosis is a tool, not a rule. Diagnosis exists to help you and your therapist, although I think sometimes therapists forget how comforting it can be to have a word for what you’re feeling. You can express this too. There is nothing wrong with wanting a label. It’s a very common feeling, and you’re not alone in it. <3
-Mea
Answer: A lot of professionals don’t like labels for a multitude of reasons. One could be that she doesn’t want you to define yourself using your disorder, especially if you’re having identity issues. Another common reason is because it’s possible you have multiple disorders. Common co-morbid diagnoses with BPD are things like bipolar, depression, anxiety, and other personality disorders. Your therapist is probably approaching your symptoms, not your diagnoses. Which is good! There is no cookie cutter treatment for BPD or any other disorder, avoiding labels could be her way of professionally approaching your treatment.
However, the sense of community and belonging is important. While the label “borderline” rarely ever comes up in therapy for me, just having this community has done wonders for my recovery. I think some therapists hesitate to diagnose because they aren’t aware there are good BPD communities out there? I mean, what’s the first thing you find when you google BPD? Probably some pretty bad stuff.
I think you should mention that you’ve found some comfort in online BPD communities and relate to what people are talking about. And remember, you do not need an Official Diagnosis in order to be treated for BPD. Diagnosis is a tool, not a rule. Diagnosis exists to help you and your therapist, although I think sometimes therapists forget how comforting it can be to have a word for what you’re feeling. You can express this too. There is nothing wrong with wanting a label. It’s a very common feeling, and you’re not alone in it. <3
-Mea
