Do you have borderline personality disorder?

Yes, I was diagnosed when I was 32. I also have bipolar disorder and OCD. I am on a strict regimen of medication. It took me a long time to get the right "cocktail", but now I only have trouble with the OCD, which still drives me nuts. BPD is a terrible condition to deal with without counseling and medication. You need to seek out a doctor that will work with you. If you are looking for people to talk to go on NAMI.com, the national association for mental illiness, and post on their online community for BPD. There is always someone who will answer any questions you may have and help give you support that I know you need.

Jessica...

My husband has just been diagnosed with BPD. We've been together for 22 years (since highschool) and it's been a long hard hurtful road. It was a relief to learn that there was a name for my husband's irrational behavior. He too was abused (both emotionally and sexually) & suffered abandonment as a child.

Our therapist...thankfully...was not afraid to work with my husband and has worked with BPD's before. The tricky thing with BPD is there are mulitple levels. Some folks can't even recognize that they have a problem which makes treatment almost impossible. Recognition is the first step to healing. Do you agree with the symptoms? My husband resisted therapy at first but we stuck it out and I have to say it has been well worth it. We has learned to recognize his triggers, and has learned to modify his self talk. He is a completely different person. It's been a lot of work for both of us, but it has been so worth it.

I think you should definitely stick to a therapist who is experienced in dealing with BPD's. AS hard as it might be, you have to be very open minded and know that your therapist isn't "picking" on you but is trying to help you. Our's recommended 2 books..."I Hate You Don't Leave Me" and "New Hope for Borderline Personality Disorder." Try reading up on it. When my husband started reading, it was such a relief to him knowing that he wasn't crazy...that there is some mis-wiring in his brain because of his childhood.

If you are willing to do the hard work, you can manage this disorder. My husband is also going to see an individaul therapist to help him work on his childhood. I know this is easier said than done, but you do have to work to put your painful childhood in the past.

BPD is a difficult thing, but you can overcome some of the fears you have and some of the outbursts. I wish you much happiness...and am here if you need to talk.

Best of luck to you...you are worth living a full and happy life!

I'm a 24-year-old female who just found out I have BPD. I was severly sexually abused for much of my childhood, which is the leading factor I'm sure. I am just letting you know that you're not alone. I'm completely lost in this mess, and am reading "I Hate You, Don't Leave Me" right now...while my best friend is reading "Stop Walking on Eggshells". I believe these two books are good starter reading for people who have BPD, and people who care about someone who does. Good luck with everything, and feel free to e-mail me if you want.

A lot of people have abusive pasts but the only way forward is to stop using your past for your present and future behaviour. Only you can stop yourself from upsetting people around you. And the best place to look for a helping hand is actually at the end of your own arm. When you've been broken down dont live your life in bitterness, build yourself up and become the person your made to be. Draw a line under your past, that time has been spent look at everyday as a brand new day and enjoy life. Good luck :-).

I was diagnosed bi-polar, so I understand your out-of-control episodes. Do not let a label brand you. You are you. You are not a personality disorder. There is a condition for everything anyone experiences. Try to express your feelings however suits you. The best you can do for yourself is begin to recognize when you start to feel yourself lose control. Once you can identify the beginning, you can learn to change your behavior following. Read some self-help books and take control of your situation.

If you think you have that problem (and you should, seeing as you've had plenty of professionals tell you so) you should seek counselling. If you really want to change, you can alter your behavior and your thinking to make life easier for you, and your partner. I have been diagnosed as bi-polar, but I am not really a severe case, so I spend my time working on keeping myself very balanced in my moods and activities. It is possible to make behavior changes to keep yourself from flying off the hook. Talking to someone who has experience (i.e. a counselor/psychiatrist) is a good start. Good luck!

I exhibit signs of it too, I have tried every anti-depressant and mood stabilizer there is and am still the same way. I think that it is just who we are, and just need to work on self control. Sometimes talk therapy can help. also read the books Lost in the mirror and I hate you don't leave me.

My step-daughter has this problem. For many years, I just thought she was a sociopath.

I have learned to live with it one day at a time. There really hasn't been anything effective in solving the issues and believe me, I have tried just about everything. The last time we had to institutionalize her (essentially to keep her out of jail).

I feel for you, and your partner. Most of all because I know how desperate the situation can be.

Good Luck and God bless you.

I know wut ur talking about i'm like this too. When i get angry i just explode i break walls and scream i've been told im really scary when i act tht way. But most of the time i'm a nice guy, i often only act like this when my mom provokes me ecause she was (and still is) depressed when i was very young and it definitely has scarred me in this way. But im taking steps to cool myself down and when i stop being angry i realize how crazy i became. It's kinda like im an entirely different person when i getangry. But im taking steps to overcome this and i try to be the best person i can be, and this includes not getting so angry. I know how tough this can be and i hope i helped u by sharing my story.

I'm amazed you have gotten 17 answers and not one of them has mentioned DBT (dialectical behavior therapy). It is therapy that was developed specially for people with BPD. It changed my life completely, but it's a lot of hard work, and you have to be willing to let go of old patterns. That's very difficult for people with BPD to do, but it's SO worth it. Ask your doctors about it- they may be able to refer you.