Thank you for expressing “I am a diagnosis versus I have a diagnosis.” To someone suffering the stigma associated with mental health this makes a world of difference! We need more mental health professionals with your respectful mindset. Thank you!
This piece was incredibly timely for me. I found it after uttering a prayer this morning for help with a child who is failing college, sinking into major depression and suicidality. She just wants medicine and a diagnosis. But I’m worried that the diagnosis will become a life sentence. I believe that people can grow, learn, and heal. But it seems that all she ever gets is messages that she just needs to medicate and cope.
I'm pleased that my article was the answer to a prayer. I must alert you to the real danger of her thinking suicide. In this case, medication is definitely called for. There is no reason, in her case, that a diagnosis should follow her the rest of her life. She is iin college and failing and complaining of depression and suicidal thinking. We learned, in our training, which was eons ago, that suicidal thinking must Always be taken very serioiusly. Please get her help now and let me how it goes.
Yes, I should have said that in the first place. We have a psychiatrist working on the diagnosis and medication aspect already, as well as a therapist for long term followup. We just want her to also know that this is not necessarily WHO she is. It's WHERE she is at this moment in time. Having come through trauma and depression ourselves we know from personal experience that pain is a place that you pass through. Thank you for writing.
Thank you for bringing about more awareness to EUPD/BPD!
Although people can easily type in a diagnostic term and find heaps of information, the data that’s always at the top of searches is often incredibly inaccurate. Not only that, there is so much blatant misinformation characterising us in quite an upsetting medium.
It’s so refreshing to see your content which is accurate. I’m under no illusion of the negative aspects of my personality. I know them too well and readily admit my many flaws. But your balanced approach and understanding of the existential failings in a broken system can bring about change for others.
That is the most important and incredible key to future success of our people “lost” in the system. Thank you my friend
I am sorry, my friend, I disagree with your refusal to dx clients, assuming they have a DSM disorder. What if all clinicians did this? No one would ever get a dx.
“Above all else, know yourself. To thine own self be true.” From the Greeks. How can you know your deli without knowing your dx? And if they have no dx, I’m sure they’re happy to hear that. I agree though. Diagnosis is hard as Hell.
When I first started extensive therapy, I pointed to the DSM book and said, “You go through that book and give me everything I’ve got. Sock it to me. Don’t hold back. I can handle it.”
Turned out I had Axis 1 disorder and symptoms of two others but not enough for a full diagnosis. All three were anxiety disorders. I had him write down the disorder I had on some official form and I put it my pocket.
I’m uncertain how inaccurate it is to not define yourself by disorder. If you have schizophrenia, everything you do all day long is going to be affected by that disorder and it’s going to mess your life up something awful. You’re not free of it for one minute.
Thank you for expressing “I am a diagnosis versus I have a diagnosis.” To someone suffering the stigma associated with mental health this makes a world of difference! We need more mental health professionals with your respectful mindset. Thank you!
And thank you for your thoughtful response.
This piece was incredibly timely for me. I found it after uttering a prayer this morning for help with a child who is failing college, sinking into major depression and suicidality. She just wants medicine and a diagnosis. But I’m worried that the diagnosis will become a life sentence. I believe that people can grow, learn, and heal. But it seems that all she ever gets is messages that she just needs to medicate and cope.
I'm pleased that my article was the answer to a prayer. I must alert you to the real danger of her thinking suicide. In this case, medication is definitely called for. There is no reason, in her case, that a diagnosis should follow her the rest of her life. She is iin college and failing and complaining of depression and suicidal thinking. We learned, in our training, which was eons ago, that suicidal thinking must Always be taken very serioiusly. Please get her help now and let me how it goes.
Yes, I should have said that in the first place. We have a psychiatrist working on the diagnosis and medication aspect already, as well as a therapist for long term followup. We just want her to also know that this is not necessarily WHO she is. It's WHERE she is at this moment in time. Having come through trauma and depression ourselves we know from personal experience that pain is a place that you pass through. Thank you for writing.
Yes, exactly
Thank you for bringing about more awareness to EUPD/BPD!
Although people can easily type in a diagnostic term and find heaps of information, the data that’s always at the top of searches is often incredibly inaccurate. Not only that, there is so much blatant misinformation characterising us in quite an upsetting medium.
It’s so refreshing to see your content which is accurate. I’m under no illusion of the negative aspects of my personality. I know them too well and readily admit my many flaws. But your balanced approach and understanding of the existential failings in a broken system can bring about change for others.
That is the most important and incredible key to future success of our people “lost” in the system. Thank you my friend
You are more than welcome and thank you.
Yes. Thank you for this piece.
I am sorry, my friend, I disagree with your refusal to dx clients, assuming they have a DSM disorder. What if all clinicians did this? No one would ever get a dx.
“Above all else, know yourself. To thine own self be true.” From the Greeks. How can you know your deli without knowing your dx? And if they have no dx, I’m sure they’re happy to hear that. I agree though. Diagnosis is hard as Hell.
When I first started extensive therapy, I pointed to the DSM book and said, “You go through that book and give me everything I’ve got. Sock it to me. Don’t hold back. I can handle it.”
Turned out I had Axis 1 disorder and symptoms of two others but not enough for a full diagnosis. All three were anxiety disorders. I had him write down the disorder I had on some official form and I put it my pocket.
I’m uncertain how inaccurate it is to not define yourself by disorder. If you have schizophrenia, everything you do all day long is going to be affected by that disorder and it’s going to mess your life up something awful. You’re not free of it for one minute.
What’s wrong with noting that?