Poll fun (ha!)

[kellinator]

Why bother getting a serious psychiatric diagnosis, when you can just stick a stupid poll in your LiveJournal?

[Poll #124075]

EDIT: As provided by the lovely and talented cynical7, DSM-IV criteria for diagnosis of borderline personality disorder:

1. frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5.
2. a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation.
3. identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self.
4. impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating). Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5.
5. recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior
6. affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days).
7. chronic feelings of emptiness
8. inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights)
9. transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms

Comments

[cynical7.livejournal.com]

DSM-IV criteria for diagnosis - I'm not a psychologist so its not like me looking at this means a damn thing; but i did study the apparent patholgizing of normal but "different" behavior that has lead to a category in the DSM so...whatever.:


1. frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5.

This is one of those things I think describes a lot of people. It would take a professional to tell you if this was a problem with you. To me though, you seem like a lot of people in this category. its normal to feel lonely.


  2. a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation. 


I know actual borderlines and I see what they do - this isn't you.



  3. identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self. 

see above.


  4. impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating). Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5. 

I don't see evidence of you doing this from what you write. and even if you DID, a lot of people engage in these "borderline" behaviors when they are stressed/sad. Personally, i drive like a mofo, binge AND spend money at times.


  5. recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior 

Again, from what you write...I don't see this. At least no escallating to the level that is likely required for a clinical diagnosis.

  6. affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days). 
I don't think I know enough to even approach this as a layman.

  7. chronic feelings of emptiness 

Who doesn't?

  8. inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights) 

Getting pissed at rude law students doesn't escalate to this level.


  9. transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptom

Again, I don't feel like my layman's knowledge can approach this one.


I don't think you are borderline. I know people who ARE and it shows in their writing...they tend to be reactionary. I don't really see this with you.

But I caution that diagnosis based on words alone is sort of trying to guess that a person looks like based on a caricature - its one sided and one dimensional. Prime example: people think I'm depressed based on my writing, those who know me in person don't think this. I can't SEE how you act nor do i actually know what you leave off here. So, if you're really concerned that you might be BPD...its probably worth seeking diagnosis based on educated guess.


Of course, this is way more than you asked for so i will shut up now!

[azurelunatic]

Read Bujold's Komarr. Tien, in that book, was specifically written as borderline. Reading that book, I was highly reminded of my dear ex Shawn aka Fuzzy Modem...