Q. As an "informed mental health consumer" I have been reading a lot about BPD lately. As a "patient," however, I wonder if obsessing about the DSM-IV criteria is really that healthy. Right now I am seeing a psychiatrist who I like and who hasn't let me manipulate him (which is a big step for me). I am doing pretty well on the meds I'm taking. I haven't asked my doctor what he thinks my diagnosis is. I'm not sure I really want to know. In a sense it has been a relief to "discover" BPD, since it describes me so accurately, but on the other hand, I wonder if I will interfere with the process of therapy by studying it and my possible "syndromes" too much. I now find myself trying to analyze what my doctor is trying to do ("Ah hah! Transference!"), which I'm sure is just some kind of defense mechanism on my part. (Come to think of it, he would probably be very interested to hear me say that.) So what is your opinion on the benefits vs. detriments of self-diagnosis?

  A. Diagnosing is meaningful only if it aids treatment. It does not matter who makes the diagnosis. Bottom line is getting better, and usually a correct diagnosis helps dictate treatment paths. Whether you diagnose yourself or not does not matter. Getting well does.