Posted by Noa on September 22, 1999, at 22:38:38
In reply to Re: someone tell me what this is, posted by Elle on September 22, 1999, at 22:28:34
Jenny, I must respectfully disagree with you. Yes, it is possible to see elle's issues as BPD, but I think it is jumping the gun. BPD is such a broad, controversial, poorly defined diagnosis, that it is often possible to see many symptoms as fitting the bill of BPD, but a diagnosis of personality disorder doesn't, in my opinion, give much assistance in understanding what might help.
elle, keep in mind that while you are feeling depressed, it is hard to answer the doctor's question accurately. While you are depressed, you are more likely to feel like you have always been (and will always be) depressed. Somehow the memory of nondepressed times get overlooked. On the other hand, since I don't know you, it is possible you have been struggling with depression for a long time. It sounds, tho, like the death of you father precipitated a more severe depression, enough to prompt you to seek help, which is such a good thing to do. Yes, get support. A bereivement group, a therapist, whatever. As for judging whether you have always been depressed, tho, reserve judgment because your assessment might be clouded by your mood.
In answer to your question, depression is many things, it comes in many forms from mild to severe, from acute to chronic to cycling. Whether your depresssion is serious enough to be labeled as an illness is something to discuss with a professional in person. I think it is usually a good idea to consult a psychiatrist who specializes in psychopharmocology, if this is possible, rather than having your general doctor monitor your meds. As for a therapist, this could be from several different professional disciplines.
Glad you joined us, keep in touch.
poster:Noa
thread:11902
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990914/msgs/11915.html