Putting the feelers out, have been suffering a plethora of depression, mania, insomnia and fatigue for over 10 years. Sometimes it’s months, sometimes it’s days at a time. I have a reputation for being isolated and  impulsive. 

I’m actually smashing life at the moment, good job, got my own place, lovely relationship, generally very happy but still missing days of work from experiencing utter despair and emotional exhaustion. I’ve just come out of a 1 month period of dysphoria and it’s made me think about how out of control this is for me. 

I just want recognition that this is something I’ve suffered with for a long time, even though I’m doing a good job of building my own coping mechanisms (living alone, sports, yoga etc).

I am extremely lucky and can get CBT/support through my workplace but they have to have an official diagnosis beforehand. 

Is a diagnosis a good idea? What is the process? If I do indeed have a form of bpd what are the benefits of having a diagnosis?

I am worried it’ll affect my career. But I do feel I need it to help me and my loved ones understand my behaviour (past chaos and dark times that I’ve been trying to justify).