help wanted xoxo
hey all, my name is autumn. i think i might me showing signs of BPD? though i am only seventeen, so i’m unsure if getting a diagnosis is possible even if this is the case. i do not want to self diagnose of course, but i’d like some advice and help. i have been researching and trying to educate myself as much as i can. is there anyone i could talk to about this in messages? obviously i’m not looking for a diagnosis here lol, just some answers to some questions and some kinda guidance
Hey Autumn, welcome to 7 cups. How can I help?
@autumnbunny
hey! bunny, a lot of mental illnesses have similar signs or symptoms. please, do not try to self diagnose. If you are considering a possibility that you have then i would strongly urge you to seek professional advice.
ah yes, i am not self diagnosing, i cannot stress it enough! i promise that is not what i am trying to do. i do have a new therapist, and i briefly brought up my concern, but it was dismissed because of my age. (17) i know a lot more goes into bpd than just the nine symptom criteria. but i still am concerned from what i’ve seen and learned. i do experience emotional instability, intense and unstable relationships, self harm/self destructive behavior, intense fear of abandonment and rejection, self image issues/no sense of self, emptiness, and impulsive behavior. though i do not have anger outbursts. most of my anger, or most emotions, i keep inside. (which ultimately causes me to freak out and isolate myself and cause harm to myself). having a diagnosis would bring clarity and i think a better understanding of what i feel and why, and how to help. i could be completely wrong, i might not need to be concerned about this. but it feels and sounds very familiar. i don’t claim to have this disorder or be all-knowing, and i do apologize for coming into the community when it’s unclear if i should be in here. so in terms of what to do, will this be something i’ll have to wait on as i get further into adulthood? or in a few weeks or so should i bring it up again with my therapist? i just really wish i could have answers. even if the answer turns out to be that i do not have this disorder. thank you for allowing me to be here and express my thoughts, despite being undiagnosed.
@autumnbunny Hi Autumn!
Getting a diagnosis of BPD is definitely possible at the age of 17, so it's a little mysterious that your therapist dismissed it. As it's clearly on your mind, it's something your therapist should work with you to deal with. Bringing it up again in therapy sounds like a good idea. There doesn't seem to be any reason to wait for a few weeks.
Your therapist should either have clear reasons for ruling out BPD, and be able to explain them to you, or else refer you for a psychiatric assessment to get a reliable diagnosis one way or the other.
If you'd ever like to chat about the situation, just click on my profile picture and message me.
Charlie
Hey autumnbunny, im here to listen :)
Hi, my doctors would string me along till I turned 18 and then they could give me my bpd diagnosis. If you can start talking to a psychiatrist about the symptoms and keep that psychiatrist till your 18 so they can diagnose you.
