BPD/Bi-Polar

[Deanna]

I am trying to find out if it is possible for one person to be diagnosed with so many disorders? A little history: I have been a self mutilator for as long as I can remember. at the age of 13 I was diagnosed with Bi-Polar Disorder(at the time it was stilled called Manic-Depressive Disorder), at 21 I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, at 23 I was diagnosed with BPD, Bi-Polar, & Panic attacks,  at 28 & again at 30 I was diagnosed with all of the above along with Dissassociative Disorder.

I would also like to know how I could possibly be BPD when the most outstanding thing I read about BPD is that of an agressive person. The only person I am ever agressive with is myself and that is both silient mental abuse of myself and physical abuse of myself. How do these traits fit together?

[HFHS MD - RG]

Dear Deanna,

A mental disorder is an illness with psychological or behavioral manifestations associated with impaired functioning due to biological, social, psychological, genetic, physical, or chemical imbalance. Each illness has characteristic signs and symptoms.

Psychiatric disorders are classified according to the fourth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV). DSM -IV uses a descriptive approach, and the characteristic signs and symptoms of each disorder should be present before a diagnosis is made.

In other words, is it possible to have multiple diagnosis based on your personal psychiatric history and the different signs and symptoms you currently have upon evaluation by your mental health professional.

It is not uncommon for BPD to be co-morbid with other condidtions, especially bipolar disorder, major depression, and panic disorder.

BPD does not require that people are aggressive to others.  Quite often, sadly, the aggression is taken out on the individual.

I urge you to follow-up with your treatment team.

Sincerely,

HFHS MD - RG

*keyword: multiple symptoms

[phoebe]

And I can't get diagnosed with anything!  Which doesn't stop panic attacks; depression; many BPD traits; mood swings; somatizations; suicidal ideation; phobias; blah, blah, blah!
My doc says he's stumped but when I ask for a referrral.....nope, no time for all that paperwork.
I just spent nearly 2 weeks inpatient; meds were tinkered with (which made things worse) and I was cut loose.
Is there a happy medium anywhere?

[Robin]

I know exactly how you feel.  I also have been diagnosed with Bipolar at age 14 and BPD just recently.  I feel like a walking disorder.