Emotional dysregulation - same as BPD/ EUPD?

[Capricorn8990]

I had my mental health phone assessment yesterday and the nurse said they don’t and won’t diagnose over the phone and they prefer to not give out diagnoses these days and actually look at the symptoms as that’s what needs to be addressed.

She determined I have emotional dysregulation and tolerance issues with stress which are symptoms of borderline personality disorder/ emotionally unstable personality disorder which is what I thought I had. I knew I had emotional dysregulation as this has come up in past therapy sessions.

Every time I google emotional dysregulation BPD or EUPD comes up. She even told me to look at the MIND website and search BPD/ EUPD to see if I can associate with any other symptoms. She's going to send me so self help stuff as I work full time and I'm not "unwell" enough for community support but also ill be getting some CBT and I'm on medication.

I still feel frustrated not to get a diagnosis but I do understand it's complex. I just would feel validated with a diagnosis but I also understand it's not a great diagnosis to have.

I feel like I've been half diagnosed but she just didn't want to label it.

She has advised that if things don't improve to contact my GP again for a further referral for a face to face.

Anyone else had a similar experience?

You read the DMS?
And who cares about a label, you will have one of many.
Work with symtoms.

Many reasons why medics are reluctant to hand out a printed diagnosis. Unfortunately BPD carries much misunderstanding and consequently societal stigma which may not actually help you to tame the condition itself. Also EUPD / bpd can shift and improve with therapy (look up DBT and MBT as NICE approved therapies) to the extent that a person when reassessed may not meet the criteria any longer. Having it emblazoned on your medical records may not be helpful for you. Seeking and needing validation are in themselves signs of BPD - it’s understandable. But find a sympathetic audience OP that ‘get’ mental health and won’t define you as a person by your condition alone.

emotional dysregulation and tolerance issues with stress

These are also symptoms of Bipolar, PTSD, ASD or post TBI (traumatic brain injury). So I would not be so sure you have EUPD/BPD.

You can also have these symptoms and have no disorder if they are not severe enough to impair normal life functions.

nurse said they don’t and won’t diagnose over the phone

A MH nurse isn’t qualified to diagnose anything at all anyway. So it’s nkt that she didn’t want to, but the fact she literally cannot diagnose any MH condition.

@Lostandlittle what's DMS? I just feel like throughout my life I've not been listened to and to get a diagnosis will make me feel more validated and understood. I can then hopefully get the help is deserve. All I've ever been is pushed from pillar to post and I'm fed up of it..

@Lotusmonster thank you for your reply 😊. My birth mum has BPD and she said she didn't want it on her record. She has given me the name of an organisation to make a referral for CBT but I'll definitely ask if they do DBT or MBT! I don't talk to hardly anyone about my deep issues because nobody gets how I think and look at me bewildered plus everyone has their own issues. I will just have to keep going as I have and if things don't improve or get worse ask for a face to face referral. Thanks for replying again x

I had a look at all of those bar the TBI and don't fit the bill for those like I do EUPD/ BPD. I am able to function to work but it's a struggle. This has always been such a massive thing with trying to get support. I work full time so am considered to be able to function but it really is exhausting maintaining this "normality" and behind closed doors it's not fun. Thanks for your reply x

@Capricorn8990

I had a look at all of those bar the TBI and don't fit the bill for those like I do EUPD/ BPD. I am able to function to work but it's a struggle. This has always been such a massive thing with trying to get support. I work full time so am considered to be able to function but it really is exhausting maintaining this "normality" and behind closed doors it's not fun. Thanks for your reply x

@PlanDeRaccordement I was meant to tag you

I advise you to stick to symptoms and not hint at BPD/EUPD because it is more difficult to get psychiatric help with that than just about any other condition. I encourage you to contact GP and get the referral for a psychological assessment...the wait list is long, you can do the CBT while on the wait list. You could also see if your employer as an Employee Assistance Program for mental health....if they do that means you can access a private psychiatrist for free for several sessions.

@PlanDeRaccordement the mental health nurse told me to refer myself first and continue with the meds and if things don't improve to then ask for a face to face app. I have a medication review in 4 weeks so I'll see where I am then as I'm starting a new job soon which always rocks the boat with my emotions. Yep they do offer that actually so I'll look into that as well. I just want to take all that's offered to me as I want to get better and determined to do so. I'll focus on the symptoms as you have suggested. Thanks for your advice

My daughter was diagnosed with Emotional dysregulation before getting diagnosed with serve depression she was told she had symptoms of EUPD but they don't like to diagnose under 18 they will only diagnose if you have serve symptoms of it , having all these labels doesn't help it made her feel a lot worse hope you get the help you need

So in my area Mind have a fab group program for BPD and those who have symptoms of but not formally diagnosed with BPD

I think the thing about the “disorder” part is where things are so extreme it means you cannot function. It’s not a great label to have- avoid it if you can!

Emotional dysregulation is also part of ADHD. It may be worth you reading up on it.

Girls and women are often misdiagnosed, when the root cause of their uses is ADHD.

@dangermouseisace

I think the thing about the “disorder” part is where things are so extreme it means you cannot function. It’s not a great label to have- avoid it if you can!

What does "not function" entail?

I’m going to PM you OP.

DBT v good at helping BPD people to tame risky or impulsive behaviour.

[quote Capricorn8990]@Lostandlittle what's DMS? I just feel like throughout my life I've not been listened to and to get a diagnosis will make me feel more validated and understood. I can then hopefully get the help is deserve. All I've ever been is pushed from pillar to post and I'm fed up of it.. [/quote]
They meant DSM, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is currently on v5, it can be useful but is also quite US centric, the ICD which is International Classification of Diseases is also used and is often more relevant outside the US. They break down symptoms, causes and treatments for various conditions.

There could be two main reasons why they will be steering away from a solid diagnosis, the first is that they lack enough information to make one, most people don't present as neatly fitting in just one condition and there could be issues with comorbid conditions, the second is that if it is BPD that can be regarded as stigmatising. Borderlines are very difficult to treat successfully and due to their actions many therapists, especially those who have has previous bad experiences with BPD.

Also, not having a specific diagnosis does not mean you can't get help and might even make it easier as they can treat the symptoms and causes and not have to treat a condition which does not fully apply to you.

@dangermouseisace

I think the thing about the “disorder” part is where things are so extreme it means you cannot function. It’s not a great label to have- avoid it if you can!

Disorder in BPD does not mean that the patient cannot function, it is the terminology used to differentiate from "normal".

MatildaIthink “Disorder” means causing significant distress or impairment, you can be outside of a “normal” statistical curve or have personality traits but not be disordered.
With a BDP diagnosis the traits usually cause significant problems in day to day life. Usually “significant” problems mean that a person is unable to do certain things.

Sorry sounds narky there, I’m not it’s more that a person can match some symptoms and have difficulties, but they don’t have to amount to a diagnosis of a personality disorder.

@dangermouseisace

MatildaIthink “Disorder” means causing significant distress or impairment, you can be outside of a “normal” statistical curve or have personality traits but not be disordered. With a BDP diagnosis the traits usually cause significant problems in day to day life. Usually “significant” problems mean that a person is unable to do certain things.

It does not mean that they cannot function in day to day life, which is what you said. There are many people with disorders who can function in day to day life, disorder does not mean non-functional, there are also higher and lower functioning, and a range in-between.

DSM - you need to read about borderline and if you identity against X of the criteria you have that disorder. I was labelled as having it…. When I really “have” avoidant personality disorder. I also “have” bipolar and it affects my life very little

@dangermouseisace

Sorry sounds narky there, I’m not it’s more that a person can match some symptoms and have difficulties, but they don’t have to amount to a diagnosis of a personality disorder.

I agree on that, most people will at various points match one, or even some of the symptoms of a personality disorder or other mental health disorder or condition but it will only be one, or temporary, when facing a particularly difficult point in life (death of a parent or child for example). It is why anyone who works in mental health will generally be wary of a quick diagnosis of anything, let alone something as complicated and possibly stigmatising as BPD.

People also like diagnosis because it puts something in a neat little box, but people don't always fit in nice boxes.

…. And it’s symptoms that should be treated