Dear Stine H:

Unfortunately, we live in a world where almost every person (if not every single person), at one time or another, fits one or more of the diagnoses in the latest DSM-5, and so, every single individual is at times, mentally ill, according to this book. Some mental illnesses are such that the sufferer has no awareness of his/ her behavior, such as in a psychotic break. In most mental illnesses, there is awareness.

Regarding your diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder. The DSM-5 Criteria – Revised June 2011, states regarding all personality disorders: “The essential features of a personality disorder are impairments in personality (self and interpersonal) functioning…the following criteria must be met:
A. Significant impairments in self (identity or self-direction) and interpersonal (empathy or intimacy) functioning.”-

What this means is that to be correctly diagnosed with a personality disorder, there must be impairments in interpersonal relationships”- this is not an optional element of the diagnosis.

In your last post you wrote: “I always keep my emotions in 110% check when I’m with people”- if this is true, if you “always” control your emotions in relationships, you are no longer fitting the BPD diagnosis.

anita

I’m sorry to hear about your loss Stine.

I think it’s important you break this negative cycle, first place to start would be having a new focus in life. Maybe put your efforts into your career, or friendships, or hobbies, etc. When something is so front and centre all the time, it can take over your life.

Where do you think the short-falls in your confidence are stemmed from?