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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on December 25, 2007, at 23:49:33
I think most people don't have a problem with me. I don't hurt myself and I hardly ever think of suicide anymore. When I do it is fleeting and I don't really want to die at all.
What do you think?
I think I just got better.
Does this mean I didn't really have a personality disorder to begin with? How can I just get better so suddenly?
Posted by Maxime on December 25, 2007, at 23:59:20
In reply to I don't think I have borderline personality anymor, posted by Deneb on December 25, 2007, at 23:49:33
It is possible for people to grow out of being borderline. I know that when I was in my 20s I was much worse than I am not (late 30s).
How quickly did you get over it? I think there are also times when one is more borderline than usual. Maybe you are having some down time.
Did you do DBT?
Maxime
> I think most people don't have a problem with me. I don't hurt myself and I hardly ever think of suicide anymore. When I do it is fleeting and I don't really want to die at all.
>
> What do you think?
>
> I think I just got better.
>
> Does this mean I didn't really have a personality disorder to begin with? How can I just get better so suddenly?
>
>
Posted by Wittgenstein on December 26, 2007, at 4:25:34
In reply to I don't think I have borderline personality anymor, posted by Deneb on December 25, 2007, at 23:49:33
Deneb,
From what I understand, recovering from BPD is a long gradual process, rather than something that can just be 'switched off'. It would be more realistic to see yourself as having improved or having reached a point where you have developed skills to better deal with the symptoms - managing your emotions and racing thoughts. I apologise if I'm wrong but from what I understand it's a condition you have to learn to live with.
I think there is a form of PTSD (complex PTSD??) where someone can display all the symptoms of BPD without having the condition, and in these cases it is more of a phase than a long-term condition.
Please don't stop seeing your Pdoc and following treatment - perhaps you can talk to her about this to get an idea of where you are at. It's great that you've made progress. Keep up the good work :)
Witti
Posted by Dinah on December 26, 2007, at 16:06:47
In reply to I don't think I have borderline personality anymor, posted by Deneb on December 25, 2007, at 23:49:33
I'd say you've grown a lot and learned a lot. You've learned how to get your needs met in a healthier and more effective way. You've worked hard in a lot of areas of your life, and should congratulate yourself for that.
I'm not sure Axis II disorders are written in stone. It's not like having a broken leg or anything. I'm guessing you can get to the destination of an Axis II disorder in a lot of different ways.
The only benefit I can see to thinking of yourself in diagnostic terms is to make sure you do what you need to do to take care of yourself. It's all too easy to say "I'm ok" and discontinue the things (meds, therapy, etc.) that may be part of feeling ok without a plan to monitor results and put things back in place as necessary.
My therapist sometimes points out that trait in me. I think I'm doing well, so I discard the very things that are keeping me doing well. Then, under stress, things will pop up again. (Like my OCD.)
I'm glad you're feeling well!!
Posted by Racer on December 28, 2007, at 17:01:16
In reply to I don't think I have borderline personality anymor, posted by Deneb on December 25, 2007, at 23:49:33
Idiopathic Deneb Syndrome -- not a disorder at all...
Seriously, I think you've worked very hard at learning new skills and new coping mechanisms, and I think you've grown a great deal. It's been inspiring to watch, and I think a lot of people here are very impressed with you.
It doesn't mean that you didn't have BPD, it just means that you've taken steps to improve your functioning, and are much the better for it. I hope it translates to you feeling better more of the time, too -- since that's really the relevant metric for any sort of treatment, when you come right down to it.
Dinah, as usual, had some great points to make. (She's good at that...) Keep doing the things that are working for you, and keep shining.
By the way, I think it probably helps that you've been working and going to school -- social contact makes a big difference.
And now, if you will excuse the cliche, you go, Girl!
Posted by Deneb on December 28, 2007, at 20:07:28
In reply to Re: I don't think I have borderline personality anymor » Deneb, posted by Maxime on December 25, 2007, at 23:59:20
I'm not sure how long it took me, maybe a year? I didn't do DBT, but now I see my pdoc/T every week instead of every 2 weeks. Maybe that helped. I've also made some friends here on Babble and even met them. Maybe that helped me be more aware of how my actions affect others.
I think the future is bright for people with borderline personality. I know someone else who has gotten over this.
Posted by Deneb on December 28, 2007, at 20:11:51
In reply to Re: I don't think I have borderline personality an, posted by Wittgenstein on December 26, 2007, at 4:25:34
I will continue seeing pdoc/T. She said she'll still see me once a week even if I'm better. She thinks it's important to continue to positively reinforce feeling good.
This is the end of the thread.
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