Anyone living with borderline?

[Lean L]

In my recent strides towards self understanding, I came across BPD. It is a very strange "disease" but I have many of the symptoms. Anyone else been through it or recovered from it?

Studies suggest that individuals with BPD tend to experience frequent, strong and long-lasting states of aversive tension, often triggered by perceived rejection, being alone or perceived failure.[10] Individuals with BPD may show lability (changeability) between anger and anxiety or between depression and anxiety[11] and temperamental sensitivity to emotive stimuli.[12]

yep, pretty much

The negative emotional states specific to BPD may be grouped into four categories: destructive or self-destructive feelings; extreme feelings in general; feelings of fragmentation or lack of identity; and feelings of victimization.[13]

Yep, I set myself up for failures. Feel helpless in the world sometimes, because bad things will always happen to people in general

Individuals with BPD can be very sensitive to the way others treat them, reacting strongly to perceived criticism or hurtfulness. Their feelings about others often shift from positive to negative, generally after a disappointment or perceived threat of losing someone. Self-image can also change rapidly from extremely positive to extremely negative. Impulsive behaviors are common, including alcohol or drug abuse, unsafe sex, gambling and recklessness in general.[14]

This happens all the time, there's rarely an inbetween for people I associate with, either they are great, or they suck, sometimes they interchange. Self image wise, I either can't achieve anything or I'm the greatest and people should come to me. Wreckless driving: 110 at 2am on large stretches of highway. Alcohol abuse sometimes, no gambling, no sex.

Attachment studies suggest individuals with BPD, while being high in intimacy- or novelty-seeking, can be hyper-alert[9] to signs of rejection or not being valued and tend toward insecure, avoidant or ambivalent, or fearfully preoccupied patterns in relationships.[15] They tend to view the world generally as dangerous and malevolent, and tend to view themselves as powerless, vulnerable, unacceptable and unsure in self-identity.[9]

Hyper active to signs of rejection; will avoid people I think has a positive opinion of me as to not taint the image.


Individuals with BPD are often described, including by some mental health professionals (and in the DSM-IV),[16] as deliberately manipulative or difficult, but analysis and findings generally trace behaviors to inner pain and turmoil, powerlessness and defensive reactions, or limited coping and communication skills.[17][18][19] There has been limited research on family members' understanding of borderline personality disorder and the extent of burden or negative emotion experienced or expressed by family members.[20]

Not sure about this one, I can be manipulative, although I generally don't like to be

Parents of individuals with BPD have been reported to show co-existing extremes of over-involvement and under-involvement.[7] BPD has been linked to increased levels of chronic stress and conflict in romantic relationships, decreased satisfaction of romantic partners, abuse and unwanted pregnancy; these links may be general to personality disorder and subsyndromal problems.[21]

Dad died when 12, have not seen him since I was 7. Mom sprang living hell on me for around three years when I was forced to "study" for 6 hrs a day. She also was rarely home for most of my life.


Suicidal or self-harming behavior is one of the core diagnostic criteria in DSM IV-TR, and management of and recovery from this can be complex and challenging.[22] The suicide rate is approximately 8 to 10 percent.[23] Self-injury attempts are highly common among patients and may or may not be carried out with suicidal intent.[24][25] BPD is often characterized by multiple low-lethality suicide attempts triggered by seemingly minor incidents, and less commonly by high-lethality attempts that are attributed to impulsiveness or comorbid major depression, with interpersonal stressors appearing to be particularly common triggers.[26] Ongoing family interactions and associated vulnerabilities can lead to self-destructive behavior.[7] Stressful life events related to sexual abuse have been found to be a particular trigger for suicide attempts by adolescents with a BPD diagnosis.[27]

This mostly does not apply, no thoughts of suicide.

Am I over analyzing things?

 

[Red Dawn]

In my recent strides towards self understanding, I came across BPD. It is a very strange "disease" but I have many of the symptoms. Anyone else been through it or recovered from it?



Am I over analyzing things?

I'll get back to you on that when I finish my degree in Psychiatry.

 

[Whisper]

When it comes to the DSM-IV personality disorders, the vast majority of the population has characteristics of one or more. Unless it's begun causing you significant distress and impairment in your daily functioning, and/or you've spoken with a mental health professional and been appropriately assessed and diagnosed, it's possible that you may simply fall somewhere along the "borderline spectrum," without actually having the condition itself.

VERY generally, I'd hazard a guess that the lack of para-suicidal behaviors could suggest that you may be over-analyzing. Then again, I'm not going to even pretend to assess your psychological state over the internet, especially when it comes to something as long-standing as a personality disorder.

 

[MrMatt]

As someone in the field of psychology all I can say is; go talk to a professional. There's no way anyone here can diagnose you.

I had a lot of the traits in my younger years, actually almost all of them, through my early-20's, but gradually matured out of them. I wondered for a time if I did have it though. Axis-II disorders are very hard to treat, and generally are life-long, so if you have it...you have it. It's an issue of managing it and not letting it interfere with your life.


Again; go talk to a professional in your area.

 

[Lean L]

As someone in the field of psychology all I can say is; go talk to a professional. There's no way anyone here can diagnose you.

I had a lot of the traits in my younger years, actually almost all of them, through my early-20's, but gradually matured out of them. I wondered for a time if I did have it though. Axis-II disorders are very hard to treat, and generally are life-long, so if you have it...you have it. It's an issue of managing it and not letting it interfere with your life.


Again; go talk to a professional in your area.

I've talked to a shrink for quite a while. In the end it was just her giving me new perspectives to life in general. She never told me what she thought was wrong or right. Just that there are coping mechanisms.

 

[coreyb]

get a formal diagnosis

 

[bobsmith1492]

One can recognize himself in any behavioral description, particularly if he has hypochondriac tendencies.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

It's cool to read up on stuff, but I make it a point not to believe I have something until a doctor specificly tells me so.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Edit: Hmm, first double post ever. Pretty sure I didn't click twice or anything...

 

[xCxStylex]

I WAS living with someone that has BPD (although she both denies that she has it and it's existence, as well as ADD). Fuck my life.

 

[QuantumPion]

Those symptom descriptions are so vague they look like something out of a horroscope or scientology test - they could apply to anyone.

 

[MrMatt]

I've talked to a shrink for quite a while. In the end it was just her giving me new perspectives to life in general. She never told me what she thought was wrong or right. Just that there are coping mechanisms.

You may have been diagnosed and just don't know it. The therapist has to put something when they bill insurance companies otherwise you don't get reimbursed. Next time you see her, ask what she's putting for a diagnosis.


Also, if you don't find the shrink helpful, look for another one. Not all of us are the same, it's about finding the right fit for you

 

[VulgarDisplay]

That just described every woman I have ever met.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

youareanidiot.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Seriously, go to a doctor and ask. I'm not sure anyone can diagnose a psychiatric condition given the amount of information you've given us. In any case, if you have a condition, does it really matter what it's called? As long as you're able to deal with it...

 

[Whisper]

Those symptom descriptions are so vague they look like something out of a horroscope or scientology test - they could apply to anyone.

They appear vague, true; they definitely don't apply to everyone, though. Parts of the description may apply to multiple people, but the symptom set as a whole, and of an appropriate level of severity, applies to very few people overall.

It's similar to googling "abdominal pain" and "diarrhea," and then deciding you have colorectal cancer.

 

[CKent]

Sounds like me. And not just a little, but every symptom. Same with aspergers.

Every shrink I've seen (started at 8) has mocked or insulted me. What a bunch of quacks. I'd like to get paid a few bills an hour to insult people.

Sadly there's no help to be had. Deal with it on your own, it's the only chance you have.

 

[KlokWyze]

Any normal human being will exhibit all those symptoms some time in their life. IMO, a huge problem in modern psychiatry how these mental disorder labels really just enable this person to have problems rather than deal with them rationally. Drugs are certainly over used.

It's really the level of impairment any sort "emotional disorganization" or behavioral problems you have that interfere with your social, working, sex life, etc. We can sit here and analyze every single one of my coworkers, including myself and will find tons of significant "mental disorders" and even symptoms of extreme cases. Everyone functions more or less effectively in their role though.

To me personally, it's all about training yourself to be whatever it is you think will make you happy. Short term behavioral patterns need to be changed in order to lead to long term changes in behavioral patterns. All of this juxtaposed to the correct emotional associations and satisfactions of instincts. Replace time spent doing things that trigger depression with constructive things, new or old, that you believe will lead to you being happier. The key is, like exercising, being consistent.

 

[Whisper]

Sounds like me. And not just a little, but every symptom. Same with aspergers.

Every shrink I've seen (started at 8) has mocked or insulted me. What a bunch of quacks. I'd like to get paid a few bills an hour to insult people.

Sadly there's no help to be had. Deal with it on your own, it's the only chance you have.

I have yet to meet a therapist of any sort--psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker--who would openly mock or purposely insult their clients. Not to say that it doesn't happen, just that it definitely isn't the norm, nor is it in any way a widely-accepted practice.

I'm sorry that your experiences have been so negative thus far, and can definitely understand how such experiences would turn you off from the field entirely. However, there definitely are helpful and caring professionals out there who seek nothing more than to help their clients overcome their current distresses.

 

[coreyb]

BPD is real and a very serious thing to have. You can't think your way out of it or just hope it goes away. I've read a fair amount about it and only one girl I dated really seemed to fit the description. It's really hell to live with someone who has this.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Any normal human being will exhibit all those symptoms some time in their life. IMO, a huge problem in modern psychiatry how these mental disorder labels really just enable this person to have problems rather than deal with them rationally. Drugs are certainly over used.

It's really the level of impairment any sort "emotional disorganization" or behavioral problems you have that interfere with your social, working, sex life, etc. We can sit here and analyze every single one of my coworkers, including myself and will find tons of significant "mental disorders" and even symptoms of extreme cases. Everyone functions more or less effectively in their role though.

It's not a mental disorder unless it's pretty much destroying your life. So no, you can't sit and analyze your completely functional coworkers and find mental disorders because they by defintion don't have them despite what you've been lead to believe regarding the diagnosis of these things.

 

[xCxStylex]

It is fucking hell because their perceptions are FAR OFF from reason and ration. They will pedastalize you for the good things about being you, and then they will villianize you for anything bad you've down.

Just because you experience some of those to some degrees does not mean you have it. Most are women and most have been seriously fucking traumatized (rape, sexual abuse, physical abuse), which is why they're so !@#$ed up. It's really sad, and I really don't advise making any sort of self diagnosis.

BPD is real and a very serious thing to have. You can't think your way out of it or just hope it goes away. I've read a fair amount about it and only one girl I dated really seemed to fit the description. It's really hell to live with someone who has this.