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If you have Borderline Personality Disorder, can you describe how it affects you?

3 replies

Iatethelastbiscuit · 12/05/2026 09:26

I was recently diagnosed with ‘mild’ borderline personality disorder. I don’t agree with the diagnosis. From everything I’ve read about it it’s just not me. I can identify with a few of the traits but not to the level required for a diagnosis IMO. So I’m wondering, if you have BPD, how does it affect you? What are some examples of things you do? What is a typical day when you feel affected by it like?

OP posts:
NippyNinjaCrab · 12/05/2026 14:09

Hello, i was diagnosed with EUBPD a few years ago. I internalise my emotions then explode and cannot regulate. I didn't agree with the diagnosis either, Google isn't great when looking up BPD. There's such a stigma attached to it. Recently my GP explained that it is usually a childhood trauma and unresolved issues that cause emotional regulation issues.

I am no where near as bad as I was years ago, now I feel that it is best I isolate myself and avoid social interaction.
It is difficult to explain because there are so many traits that can overlap with other conditions.

A typical day when I am triggered is like a roller coaster of highs and lows from hour to hour. I could be divorcing my husband and removing his belongings at 9am, selling the dogs at 11am, angry and in danger of making the worst impulsive decisions. I had a spell years ago of running up debt buying things to make me feel good, it was a vicious circle of self sabotage.

I have put myself in situations where I was in physical or sexual danger, open to manipulation etc.
I held down a very responsible job, the highs of deadlines and achievement to my next level was addictive. When I burned out that was when I totally lost the plot I had no focus. It's either all or nothing.

As I said I am so much better now years later. I still have highs, I can control better but the low is lower than a snakes belly.
I have self sabotaged so much I now have chronic conditions related to stress and constant viral infections.

This is probably not what you have asked for so apologies.
Who diagnosed you?

Iatethelastbiscuit · 13/05/2026 07:30

NippyNinjaCrab · 12/05/2026 14:09

Hello, i was diagnosed with EUBPD a few years ago. I internalise my emotions then explode and cannot regulate. I didn't agree with the diagnosis either, Google isn't great when looking up BPD. There's such a stigma attached to it. Recently my GP explained that it is usually a childhood trauma and unresolved issues that cause emotional regulation issues.

I am no where near as bad as I was years ago, now I feel that it is best I isolate myself and avoid social interaction.
It is difficult to explain because there are so many traits that can overlap with other conditions.

A typical day when I am triggered is like a roller coaster of highs and lows from hour to hour. I could be divorcing my husband and removing his belongings at 9am, selling the dogs at 11am, angry and in danger of making the worst impulsive decisions. I had a spell years ago of running up debt buying things to make me feel good, it was a vicious circle of self sabotage.

I have put myself in situations where I was in physical or sexual danger, open to manipulation etc.
I held down a very responsible job, the highs of deadlines and achievement to my next level was addictive. When I burned out that was when I totally lost the plot I had no focus. It's either all or nothing.

As I said I am so much better now years later. I still have highs, I can control better but the low is lower than a snakes belly.
I have self sabotaged so much I now have chronic conditions related to stress and constant viral infections.

This is probably not what you have asked for so apologies.
Who diagnosed you?

Thank you for explaining what it’s like for you so well. I’m sorry, it must be very, very difficult and sounds totally exhausting. It’s similar to bipolar then? Do you have an intense fear of abandonment? That your partner will leave you? That’s what I keep reading is one of the most common BPD symptoms.

The stigma surrounding it is awful isn’t it? It’s not one of the “cool” ones like ADHD! I stupidly was quite open about my diagnosis and people ran a mile. I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist but I don’t think he was a very good one because he diagnosed me on the first meeting without getting to know me/observing patterns etc. I really don’t see how anyone can diagnose someone with such a serious condition after chatting to them for less than an hour. I have chronic depression that comes and goes and I was going through a particularly bad period of depression that was lasting a particularly long time. I was unable to control my emotions, would explode with rage or breakdown crying uncontrollably, I was completely obsessive about my ex, I had mood swings where I might feel fairly positive in the morning but would be suicidal in the afternoon or evening. I had (sometimes constant) intrusive thoughts of hurting myself in the most violent ways that I couldn’t control. I had extremely powerful urges to cut myself or harm myself in other ways. During this time my thinking about people was fairly black & white, they were either amazing or pure evil. However I’ve never had this fear of abandonment that seems to characterise BPD. Anyway, I’m pretty certain I don’t have it because i eventually came out the other side of this episode and no longer have any of the symptoms I described. Occasionally when I get triggered, the intrusive thoughts of hurting myself or something violent happening to me comes back but that’s it. So I’m 100% sure I don’t have it as I’ve been stable for years now. The most annoying thing is that it’s on my medical record and I don’t know how to get it off

OP posts:
NippyNinjaCrab · 13/05/2026 08:48

I don't and haven’t ever had the fear of abandonment. I have been through the obsession with one person, that was awful. I don't know if it is on my medical record I haven't asked, could you ask for another assessment? I had 2 appointments with a MH nurse and it was then he said about EUBPD. He recommended quetiapine which was authorised by a psychiatrist. The MH services aren't great for adults imo.
My family have history of bi polar, I have approached this with my GP and they said it was more emotional regulation issues had issues with.
When I look back at my childhood there are so many incidents that should have raised flags to help me. X

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