part of the diagnostic criteria for Axis 2 is impairment of functioning and distress to the person with it
Bundy for example would have reported that he had no issues with his psychopathy from his perspective and enjoyed killing people, however he still met criteria because when he was caught imprisioned and sentenced to death he genuinely wasn't thrilled about that
All Axis 2 who meet criteria, which involves what I said, are not having a good time as a result of their personality disorder, in some fashion. They may not recognize however that they have a disorder, that it is the cause of distress, that there is distress, or that it is up to them to change. Often they see it as a problem without (the rest of the world than within). That said, Axis 2 includes a number of very different and distinct conditions that can be effectively treated. More evidence is coming out about effective treatments for borderline, that some people grow out of it essentially, sometimes the right factors life changes or stabilizing relationships (hard for them to come by) can help with. An example too are some people comorbid with bipolar AND borderline, not as infrequent as you might think. Some have theorized that some of the borderline traits develop alongside bipolar espisodes almost as coping strategies (splitting, black and white thinking, cognitive strategies to account for what could otherwise be baffling and seemingly random at times mood shifts). Treatment approaches have centered about stabilization of the primary Axis 1 and CBT for the Axis 2.
Another example would be Cluster C disorders. Fearful and anxious, the avoidant and obsessive types, to my mind, may be easier to treat than narcissim or straight up psychopathy. Antisocial and psychopathy are starting to look more and more almost Axis 1 in nature in that it seems that it may be biological based in the brain. My friend had avoidant because it was clearly beyond a social anxiety she had and she met criteria, and she eventually became distressed enough to seek treatment and counseling and improved. Contrast that with your happy go lucky antisocial disorder folks who enjoy raping or what have you.
So let's not put all the personality disorders in a box of can't be helped. With meds, no. Some more than others, yes. Difficult, yes. Bound to be entirely cured/stop causing challenges to patient, maybe not.
All of that was a side note on personality disorders.
I agree with others, like
@Law2Doc , and that while I am usually the first on this board to be awfully apologetic about mental health issues in medicine, that medicine is often unfair, with unrealistic expectations, and just generally overly uptight, I'm with everyone here that on a practical note the most important thing you need to strive for at all times in your medical career is likability. I don't care if that means you are the fakest actor at work with the biggest fake smile and a kind word for the ****ers you would rather stab in the back.
All I know is not toeing the line and appearing normal will not do you a single gorram favor. You need to get to the bottom of this.
You need to ask for feedback. Total honesty with treating physicians, if you are 1st or 2nd yr you can make time for regular counseling. Get it. Hell, we could all probably use some. Friends, family, attendings, classmates, even if it hurts your feelings. Even if a 3rd or 4th year, if this rumor is already getting to attendings, the dean, higher ups, whatevs, you have nothing to lose to go to a physician, psychiatrist, PCP, whoever, and get them to sign that you need counseling for depression and go to your Disability Diversity department to have them accomodate you sneaking off rotation an hour or so every other week. Don't tell anyone else the accomodation is for mental health, you don't have to. Acommodation for disability and going to a doctor appointment is enough to say and won't harm your career as much as just continuing to draw attention in these other ways. I'm confident if you do a PHQ2 or 9 and that if you fill it with a glass half empty view you can meet criteria so use depression as your waste basket term and see what's up.
So make sure it's not you. If the rumor comes up, try asking nicely why they think so. Straighten up as much as you can. Smile, tell them thank you for the concern, let them know you were having a hard time with depression but you are seeking help and things are getting better. If they have any other feedback on performance, you'd love to hear it and incorporate it. This only works if you straighten up and fly right and start to seem normal to people. The rumors will linger despite all of the above, but if you know you've straightened up then you'll just have to shrug it off at this point.
In any case this sounds sucky and you have my sympathy. Not trying to castigate you here. I just want you to dance around the eggshells to everyone's satifaction including yours.
defines that one criteria that is present for diagnosis of personality disorder is this:
