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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 sid on April 13, 2002, at 21:24:07
Hi all,
I've been trying to figure out what I have and don't have in terms of disorders, as I figure I might as well be informed and deal with it all. I have an anxiety problem that my doc told me about in November, when I thought I only had depression in the past and dysthymia at that point. So who knows what else I might carry around? I'm currently taking 75mg per day of Effexor XR for dysthymia and anxiety.
So I discussed possible diagnoses with my doc, and she said perhaps I have BPD (borderline personality disorder). When I read the description, it makes me think of what I was like during my major depression episodes, but I don't think I'm like that anymore. I have a few of the behaviors listed under DSM-IV for BPD, but not all, and I had some during the depression that went away (e.g., anger) - either with the lifting of the disease, or due to my efforts in cognitive and behavioral therapy; or both. That's what I think - is that even possible? I've been reading a bit on BPD and it seems not to have any cure but therapy can help (I'm not about to go back, as I figure I've done a lot of work, I'm proud of it, and I'd rather live a little for now!). I also read that it can be a manifestation of a modd disorder, which would bring me back to "I was like that during my depression, but not anymore."
Any thought on all this? I thought I had avoidant personality disorder, and she hits me with BPD. I'd rather have nothing at all. :-) And sometimes I just feel like taking my darn pills and not worry about what I might have, as long as I'm happy. I must say that her take on my possibly suffering from BPD did not make my day. I'd presumably have to see a psychiatrist to be sure, but I have a very bad opinion of them and frankly, the thought of seeing one gives me the hibby-jibbies. Sorry Dr.Bob.
- sid
Posted by Ritch on April 13, 2002, at 22:51:59
In reply to Borderline?, posted by sid on April 13, 2002, at 21:24:07
> Hi all,
>
> I've been trying to figure out what I have and don't have in terms of disorders, as I figure I might as well be informed and deal with it all. I have an anxiety problem that my doc told me about in November, when I thought I only had depression in the past and dysthymia at that point. So who knows what else I might carry around? I'm currently taking 75mg per day of Effexor XR for dysthymia and anxiety.
>
> So I discussed possible diagnoses with my doc, and she said perhaps I have BPD (borderline personality disorder). When I read the description, it makes me think of what I was like during my major depression episodes, but I don't think I'm like that anymore. I have a few of the behaviors listed under DSM-IV for BPD, but not all, and I had some during the depression that went away (e.g., anger) - either with the lifting of the disease, or due to my efforts in cognitive and behavioral therapy; or both. That's what I think - is that even possible? I've been reading a bit on BPD and it seems not to have any cure but therapy can help (I'm not about to go back, as I figure I've done a lot of work, I'm proud of it, and I'd rather live a little for now!). I also read that it can be a manifestation of a modd disorder, which would bring me back to "I was like that during my depression, but not anymore."
>
> Any thought on all this? I thought I had avoidant personality disorder, and she hits me with BPD. I'd rather have nothing at all. :-) And sometimes I just feel like taking my darn pills and not worry about what I might have, as long as I'm happy. I must say that her take on my possibly suffering from BPD did not make my day. I'd presumably have to see a psychiatrist to be sure, but I have a very bad opinion of them and frankly, the thought of seeing one gives me the hibby-jibbies. Sorry Dr.Bob.
>
> - sidI think it is just the current "fad" diagnosis. Borderline personality disorder is the "Jerry Springer" of the bipolar spectrum IMHO. There is a little Freudian theory that seems to want to live on and on-and here is a way it can do so-with fashinonable personality disorders.
Mitch
Posted by IsoM on April 14, 2002, at 1:38:56
In reply to Borderline?, posted by sid on April 13, 2002, at 21:24:07
Is this the same sid I've talked with for the last several months? Somehow I never imagined you as a person having wild mood swings, highly impulsive behaviour, psychotic episodes, self-destructive, ad nauseum. I agree with Mitch that it's the latest 'fad' label to stick someone with.
Depression can manifest itself in many different ways in individuals. I'm never sad or depressed when I'm suffering from depression. Without knowing you way better, sid, I'd say your doctor's opinion is a load of crock.
Really, they don't see us long enough each appointment to truly know us & place a realistic label that fits us. I do know they're trained to look for certain signs, but I know the way I feel one day, won't necessarily be the same the next day. We're human & variable.
Posted by Cecilia on April 14, 2002, at 2:29:04
In reply to Borderline?, posted by sid on April 13, 2002, at 21:24:07
My understanding is that you can`t officially diagnose a personality disorder (Axis 2) while a person is in the midst of an Axis 1 disorder like depression. Of course, a lot of us have been depressed as long as we can remember and if we don`t respond to treatment doctors will say the depression is caused by the personality disorder. Which came 1st, the chicken or the egg? Borderlines are almost always depressed, but a lot of people now think it`s basically a wastebasket diagnosis, used as an excuse for the doctor when the patient doesn`t improve, especially if the patient is female. Also, since borderline traits are frequently caused by childhood abuse, many therapists now prefer the term complex PTSD. Any way, it doesn`t sound like you have it. Cecilia
Posted by jazzdog on April 14, 2002, at 11:00:52
In reply to Re: Borderline?, posted by Cecilia on April 14, 2002, at 2:29:04
My mother had bpd - diagnosed long before it became fashionable - and believe me, you'd know. Extreme sensitivity to perceived rejection, outburts of rage and tearfulness, highly manipulative behaviour, self-destructive behaviour, addiction to crisis, frequent substance abuse, lack of insight into one's disorder, intolerance of being alone, tendency to paranoia. I agree that it's a fashionable dianosis these days, often for anxious depression. Some consider it a soft bipolar condition, though there was nothing 'soft' about my mother. And yes, it is highly corelated to childhood abuse, though apparently not to other trauma. PTSD tends to manifest in hypervigilance and emotional numbing, which I don't believe are borderline traits.
Posted by sid on April 14, 2002, at 11:16:14
In reply to Re: Borderline? » sid, posted by IsoM on April 14, 2002, at 1:38:56
Well, thanks y'all!
I do believe I was unstable, irritable, very angry, etc. during major depression. But not now.
The doctor simply said perhaps I should look into a program designed for people with BPD, and if I think I fit the profile, I should see a psychiatrist to get a firm diagnostic. I called the place, and as it turns out, they only deal with "severe" cases, i.e., people who have gone to prison due to their behavior, people who can't work, who are on disability, who attempted suicide, etc. I don't fit into any of that.I must say that the last 2 times I've seen my doctor, I ranted a lot. 3 weeks ago, about being fat and not having the energy to exercise and feelong stuck in a body that doesn't feel like me anymore, now that I'm not depressed. This last time I saw her, I ranted about the anxiety that my family causes me, especially my sister and brother-in-law. My sister was in the waiting room, seeing the doc after me (pure coincidence, we realized it 2 days before our appointments), and she had insisted big time on us having b-fast after seeing the doc. I was sure she wanted to give me crap about something - like rolling my eyes at her husband during Easter dinner when he made sex-related comments as if it was not rude at all and as if he was God-on-earth, with permission to do anything just because he's a man. He's not that old (55), but he does think that as a man, he's allowed anything. And my stupid sister behaves like she agrees; she's only 47 for God's sake. As it turns out, my sister just wanted us to have b-fast, talk and have fun. There's a change! I'd say her therapy is having positive effects on me! Whenever she'd want to spend time with me before, it would be to tell me what to do or to change my attitude with her ?%$&?%/$&%? of a husband. Or to take better care of my parents, like I was born just for that - I had to run away to another country for 7 years to break that pattern.
Anyway, I think the doctor probably sees me as someone who's still very angry, simply I talk about what bothers me in her office. Of course I'm angry there! I'm telling her about my difficulties, which seems normal, since I'm being treated for depression/dysthymia.
I did a diagnosis test on the web yesterday, for all sorts of psych-related disorders, and I realized that the symptoms for BPD have to be "most of your life" or since early adulthood, and the test did discriminate for different behavrios/thoughts/symptoms during vs. outside of depression. It finally diagnosed me with a major depression problem, in remission. Which I knew.
Well, thanks for responding. I guess it's clearer for me now. I still think I am rather avoidant, and I'm working on it. I decided not to call it a disorder, rather a flaw that I'm working on!
- sid
Posted by sid on April 14, 2002, at 11:19:10
In reply to Re: Borderline?, posted by jazzdog on April 14, 2002, at 11:00:52
Thanks,
I don't think I have bipolar traits either. I'm either OK or down, very down during depression.
Well, I hope you found some peace since your childhood, as it must have been difficult for you.- sid
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