They should be able to - but everytime I mention it as a diagnosis for me they look a bit blank.

how have other people been diagnosed?

Yes they should be able to tell.I was diagnosed by my psychiatrist back in 1997.Do ask them exactly what they think your diagnosis is.

i was diagnosed with BPD when i was in the psyc unit, but u dnt have to go to that extream dnt worry lol a simple chat with your therapist (if you have one and if nt should consider getting on) or your doctor should help, mention it to him/her on your next appointment and u should be able to explore it more
good luch hunni
loving hugs
angel x x x x

yeah same for me....they dont' want to diagnose it because they say it makes people feel bad to feel like they have to live with something for the rest of their lives. But they have metioned that i have the signs of it. I've asked the same questions you've asked. Maybe you should look up docs. who specialize in it....i guess people like to diagnose Bi-polar alot better than BPD because they didn't hesitate to diagnose me with that.

Actually, I got diagnosed in the psych hospital. All you need to do however, is ask your therapist about it and explain that you feel that you are suffering from something more than depression.

It's harder to get diagnosed with BPD because a lot of people don't believe that it is a real illness. You generally get diagnosed with it when they can't figure out what you're suffering from. Like, it's not quite bipolar but it's not depression etc so they label you BPD.

Look it up on the MIND website, that helped me a lot.

My therapist diagnosed me.
He was pretty sure I had bipolar and borderline as well as several other issues just from our conversations, but he also gave me a test. It was about 150 questions.
I came back in the 90th percentile for 8 different things.
That's one test I would have liked to have failed.

The psychologist that gave my wife her psychological evaluation didn't want to say "disorder" so he diagnosed her with "paranoid personality problems." It has been nearly 5 years since her diagnoses and I cannot remember exactly what this psychologist told me but it does ring a bell that it has something to do with not wanting to label someone with a disorder.

Shrinks and Doctors alike are very hesitant about diagnosing (Labeling) someone with a major disorder liek Borderline Personality. This is because if they tell you that you are, you're more likely to manifest the symptoms to extreme levels. The label puts you in the group and from there it gets harder to treat. So maybe your doctor is trying to avoid that backlash. Mine is. I already know that.

For a formal diagnosis you have to be tested.

Google the DSM (Diagnostic something manual)

If you have not done the MMPI (Memphis something personality inventory)or somthing similar you are being labled not diagnosed.

cheers