Recognizing, diagnosing, and healing personality disorders

[joshrp]

Hi,

I was talking to someone about some of the behaviors of my parents and others, and then later I did a search of something, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw the words borderline personality disorder. I went to the library to look in the Diagnositc and Statistical Manual in the section on personality disorders, and the descriptions of behaviors and communication patterns very accurately fits many of the behaviors of my parents, other relatives, some friends, and also myself. I had been basically sort of weeding out a lot of my own personality defects and behavior and communication disorders with the help of Catholic friends, my confessors, and spiritual director, but without having the name "personality disorder" to identify it. I have been labeled with many different possible diagnoses, by people who want to infringe my credibility as a reasonable person, and because of this I was very reluctant to pass the buck or return the "favor". One of the greatest discoveries I have made in my spiritual and prayer life is that when I see a defect in another person, I look within myself and see if I can accuse myself of that defect or disorder, before I even consider trying to approach the other person with it. I try to understand that mental or emotional or spiritual process or habit within myself and try to learn how to change my way of acting on it, before I even bother to start confronting the other person, because I know that if I have the same problem, and I don't admit it, I am never going to get the other person to see it in themselves too, and we are just going to project our own problems onto each other and other people, which is what I have noticed happens when I do not examine myself and confess whatever defects I have first and observe the patterns in my own thinking, feeling, and acting and do what I can to change them accordingly.

But please pray for me and my family members, and ask St. Dymphna for assistance in being able to see our souls as God sees them, and if you have any suggestions on how to try to nudge my parents and others to look into possibilty personality disorders and getting compassionate, non-hostile or condescending treatment and healing, then please offer those suggestions.

God bless you all

[Rita77]

you need to read the book "essential family guide to borderline personality disorder" by Randi Kreger it has really good communication tools that will help. this book may help the most out of all my info.

Dr Rick Fitzgibbons is Catholic been on EWTN anyway his "forgiveness therapy" is very helpful its very expensive therapy but worth it for me. I watch his videos on the show "women of Grace" on EWTN you may be able to find some of his past shows here on this link

http://www.womenofgrace.com/en-us/media/tv/default.aspx

and here is his web page its about marriage but if you sub Mother in place of spouse its still really helpful info.

http://www.maritalhealing.com/practi...ffprofiles.php

[Ohana]

Josh, be very careful about diagnosing yourself and your relatives with a psychiatric disorder. First of all, there is a wide range of human behavior that is not pathological. Under stress of one kind or another, most of us can seem to exhibit symptoms. Borderline Personality Disorder is not well understood. Put 10 psychiatrists in a room and you will get 10 different descriptions.

What is most problematical is placing labels on ourselves and others. Yes, professionals sometimes do so, but that is a way of communicating to oh, insurance companies. Yes it also gives a framework for treatment, but most professionals deal with the person in front of them, not a diagnosis. At least the good ones do.

It appears you are in a period of focusing on your spiritual growth. it might be really useful for you to simply focus on Jesus and let him love you. Try it, you'll like it.

If you have some disturbing people in your life, try to not let them dominate your thoughts. Most of all try to forgive them. The Our Father is really helpful for that I have found.

God Bless