Let the therapist know that you are interested in an assessment and treatment. Describe some of your symptoms. You can even mention that you think you may have BPD. Take the opportunity to ask some initial questions.
For example, it's your right to ask your therapist to tell you if they believe you have a mental health condition. If you want a diagnosis, you can ask your therapist upfront. The same applies if you don't want to hear about this information.
Most professionals will use a combination of assessments and an interview that may take place anywhere over one to six hours. Feel free to ask your mental health professional how they assess for and diagnose borderline personality disorder.
Mental health providers can be reluctant to diagnose BPD and other personality disorders due to diagnosis criteria, insurance, and stigma. Not diagnosing BPD, where appropriate, can adversely affect treatment. Traits of BPD can be communicated without formally diagnosing the full personality disorder.
There is still much stigma around Borderline Personality Disorder, even among some in the clinical community, which is unfortunate. When it comes to whether you disclose your diagnosis, remember that this is your choice, and it's important to make it from a rational place — from your Wise Mind.
How is BPD diagnosed? If you think you may have BPD, a healthcare or mental health professional will conduct a psychological evaluation. This assessment generally involves an interview, multiple questionnaires, and taking a medical history.
As it turns out, BPD – which affects approximately 1 to 2 per cent of the general population – is one of the most highly stigmatised mental illnesses, even among mental health clinicians.
Borderline personality disorder can be a difficult diagnosis because of similarities to other conditions, particularly mood disorders.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is one of the most damaging mental illnesses. By itself, this severe mental illness accounts for up to 10 percent of patients in psychiatric care and 20 percent of those who have to be hospitalized.
There are several treatments that are most often used to manage BPD. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) focuses on the concept of mindfulness, or paying attention to the present emotion. DBT teaches skills to control intense emotions, reduce self-destructive behavior, manage distress, and improve relationships.
How is borderline personality disorder diagnosed? If you or someone close to you has symptoms that you think may be due to BPD, see your GP (general practitioner). Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and how they impact your life, as well as about your health in general.
Clinicians can be reluctant to make a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD). One reason is that BPD is a complex syndrome with symptoms that overlap many Axis I disorders.
Many individuals seeking treatment for symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) find that many therapists are reluctant to treat this condition. This only adds to the suffering of those seeking help and increases their sense of hopelessness and futility.
See your GP if you're concerned that you have borderline personality disorder (BPD). They may ask about your symptoms and how they're affecting your quality of life.
Personality disorders are chronic (long-term) dysfunctional behavior patterns that are inflexible, prevalent and lead to social issues and distress. Many people who live with borderline personality disorder don't know they have it and may not realize there's a healthier way to behave and relate to others.
Identifying Episodes
Intense angry outbursts. Suicidal thoughts and self-harm behavior. Going to great lengths to feel something, then becoming increasingly avoidant and withdrawn. Paranoia, feeling as if there is someone out to get you.
Not only is BPD one of the most painful mental illnesses, but it's also intensified by stigma and being misunderstood by others. Fortunately, borderline personality disorder is a treatable condition, and the pain doesn't have to be endless.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms of this disorder overlap with many other conditions, such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and even eating disorders.
Hospitalizations Due to Self-Harm
Many people with BPD harm themselves, such as by cutting, to try to deal with their overwhelming feelings. (1) Some may even attempt to take their own lives. Often, this kind of behavior serves as a wake-up call for the person suffering.
Many therapists share the general stigma that surrounds patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Some even avoid working with such patients because of the perception that they are difficult to treat.
People living with a borderline diagnosis are unfairly characterized as difficult and overly dramatic, and many feel that people with BPD reject needed treatments or interventions because “they don't want to get better.”
People with BPD also have a tendency to think in extremes, a phenomenon called "dichotomous" or “black-or-white” thinking. 3 People with BPD often struggle to see the complexity in people and situations and are unable to recognize that things are often not either perfect or horrible, but are something in between.