I have worked with many people who are diagnosed with Borderline personality disorder (BPD)/ Emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD).
This was not by choice. I didn't go into my career thinking I am going to work with people with this diagnosis.
It was my choice to work in the criminal justice system, and I learnt very quickly that many of the women and men I worked with were given the diagnosis of BPD/EUPD.
Some felt happy.
Some were not so happy.
Some felt indifferent.
I also learnt very quickly that they were not their diagnosis. It goes a lot deeper then being 'BPD' or 'emotionally unstable'.
So how do I work with the diagnosis?
Here's the thing - I don't.
I work with you.
As a counsellor I am here to explore you.
I am here to help you work through
The traumas you have endured.
The bereavements you have been through.
The anxiety you experience.
The addiction you have been battling.
The abusive relationship you have fought to leave.
The guilt, shame and worthlessness you have been carrying.
Having a diagnosis does not take away what you have been through or currently going through.
It does not wipe away your history.
It does not wipe away the emotions you are feeling.
It does not wipe away your triggers.
It does not wipe away your responses.
It does not wipe away your memory.
Working with you
I help you to validate how you are feeling.
I help you to explore the normal trauma responses you experience.
I help you to recognise your behaviours are a response from your perception of a situation which has caused you to go into fight or flight from high levels of anxiety.
I help you to work through all the sad, traumatising and distressing experiences of your life.
That is how I work with Borderline personality disorder/emotionally unstable personality disorder.