Posted by Noa on April 6, 2000, at 10:29:30
In reply to Re: who am I????, posted by claudea on April 5, 2000, at 22:25:34
This is a controversial subject for the very reason you stated, Carolyn. You present very differently in different mood states. Is this a personality disorder or a mood disorder? Akiskal has written about looking at people who have been previously diagnosed with personality disorders in a new way--as suffering from serious mood disorders that seem to alter their personalities.
The more philosophical question of "who am I" is interesting, too. It seems you identify more strongly with the non-depressed self. Me, too, although lately I hardly remember my "normal" self. But the depressed self is also you. The problem with having a mood disorder is that these states are so separated and incongruent. It makes it hard to bring all parts of ourselves together and own them all.
When it comes to using diagnoses like "personality disorder", or for that matter, juggling between different mood disorder diagnoses, the real question is, "what will this diagnosis do in terms of helping your doctor and you understand your struggles and treat the problems? Will it add anything?" So, you can ask your doctor how the personality disorder diagnosis has helped him to conceptualize your illness and help treat you. If it has helped, great. If not, it is just a label. Remember, these diagnostic terms are man made constructs, not actual bio-psychological entities.
poster:Noa
thread:29013
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000401/msgs/29071.html