Topic Tuesday Focus Group // Treatment and support for people experiencing personality disorders // Tuesday 6 March, 7pm AEDT

Hi @Phoenix_Rising, thanks so much for joining.

That sounds like an extremely difficult time. What was it like receiving the BPD diagnosis?

it really surprised me @EliseSunflower but it was also like finding the missing piece. i was able to take a read up and also meet others on here with the same mh diagnosis so learnt more about it and makes sense why it felt something was missing..

Hi @OhanaSystem

I've been known to spell my own name wrong so no judgement about the age edit

Thanks for letting me know about your diagnoses and experiences as a teenager. That sounds like a very challenging time.

What was it like for you receiving that diagnosis?

Thanks everyone who has replied so far.

To keep things moving, I'm going to move on to the next question:

What was it like seeking and receiving a diagnosis?

(If you haven't let me know already, it'd be awesome if you could let me know what personality disorder you have been diagnosed with - thanks!).

Getting a BPD diagnoses put me in the outsider category. Mental health professionals are a new obstacle to deal with because a lot don't believe in the diagnoses.

@EliseSunflower

I found out through my psychologist's letter to a psychiatrist. I opened the letter and read the referral. He didn't even explainn it to me beforehand.

No one really explained it to me - i had to google my diagnosis. I hate it. I hate the word Borderline - i wish it was changed.

@EliseSunflower receiving the diagnosis of BPD was initially a huge relief. My then-therapist gave me a copy of the diagnostic criteria from the DSM-III and I felt so relieved to discover that what I was struggling with had a name and that other people struggled in the same way that I did. Me being me, I then went and read everything I could find on BPD (which wasn't a lot at the time!!!) and I found it all hugely validating.

However, as time went on and I kept landing myself (usually with the help of police!) in hospital, I became very aware of the stigma and negative attitudes of mental health professionals towards people with BPD. I was told I was attention seeking and that I just needed to grow up. I also had icky experiences such as being locked in seclusion etc. Mental health professionals tended to take a punitive and shaming approach towards people with BPD (and sadly, far too many MH professionals still do!!!). Consequently, most of what I struggle with now is due to trauma I've experienced at the hands of MH professionals rather than the stuff that initially created my muddle.

@Mum2eight Unfortunately that's a story I've heard a few times - health professionals diagnosing depression but missing some of the other signs and symptoms. It can make things very difficult to access the support you need at the time. I guess it can sometimes be a step in the right direction though!