Posted by noa on May 21, 2003, at 18:32:14
In reply to Re: Intimacy, codependency issues » fallsfall, posted by kalyb on May 21, 2003, at 16:34:06
>the "black and white" thinking and the "overwhelmed" by things.
Well, perhaps, but these can apply to other types of diagnoses and problems, as well, I believe. I think a lot of people with anxiety disorders have a fair amount of black and white thinking. Depression, too. I guess it would depend on how rigid and severe the black and white thinking is.
Being overwhelmed? Geez--that goes with anxiety and depression, too!
So, while the BPD dx might fit, I wouldn't be convinced by these two things.
Like the web page fallsfall linked us to, it says that a lot of the characteristics described in the criteria for BPD are also present in the general population. It is probably a matter of degree and how much it impairs one's life.
Like I said to ff, if a diagnosis is helpful in guiding treatment, then use it. If not (and especially if it just causes more distress), don't use it. It is, afterall, a man-made conceptualization to organize how to think about a group of troubling signs and symptoms. It doesn't actually exist in nature, as far as is known thus far. (Some researchers think some types of BPD can be explained by disorders that have been linked to more biological bases, like types of rapid cycling bipolar type disorders). Why organize the thinking about these signs and symptoms? Well, if it will help treat the problem, ok. If not, what is the point, ya know?
Take care.
poster:noa
thread:224890
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030407/msgs/228159.html