Topic Tuesday // BPD Awareness Week 2021 – Discover Creative Wellbeing // Tues 5th October, 7pm-8:30pm AEDT

[KirstyNEABPD]

So insightful @Sophia1 . I agree. I mostly work with nurses who have little time allocated to them to be able to attend training, therefore I believe it is also up to the service as a whole to either bring in more training and education to all staff (clinicians and all support staff) AND/OR encourage them to go to training more often. I see that it's not supported so much. Still, not an excuse for being people rude and invalidating, often responding personally to a situation, not as a professional.

[Jacques]

re things that help control or regulate bpd, would that incluse sensory boxes? they have been great for my partner, it helps her when she is really disressed.

[cloudcore]

@BlueBay it's great that you have incorporated those activities into your self care, I believe they can be just as beneficial and important for our wellbeing. Colouring is a favourite of mine too 

[KirstyNEABPD]

@Sophia1, and I also want to agree wholeheartedly with your comment that we all have mental health issues as human beings, it doesn't matter who we are, what we do, we are all human and the human experience has pain and suffering in it for all of us at times. We need compassion to each other as human beings

[BPDSurvivor]

@Jacques 

Mental health workers and clinicians generally go by the DSM (Diagnostic and Staistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)) which details the traits and symptoms associated with various MH conditions. 

Although 2 people can be diagnosed with BPD, they can be very very different people. No two people with BPD are the same. Any 5 of the 9 traits = BPD. So there are hundreds of combinations of these 5 traits.

As for the differences between BPD and bipolar:

- BPD mood changes can change by the minute or hour, whereas bipolar mood changes are less changeable.

- there is limited benefit with medication for BPD whereas medication is usually needed for people with biplor

- BPD recovery relies heavily on psychotherapies over a long period of time

Hope this helps a little!

[KirstyNEABPD]

@BlueBay, it's so outdated as a term I agree. Doesn't talk to what it's about at all.

[Shaz51]

Hello @KirstyNEABPD , @cloudcore , @BPDSurvivor 

I forgot about the new times 

Only 6.30 pm here 

[cloudcore]

Question 3.

For those caring for others with BPD: What are creative ways to approach wellbeing for self and loved ones with BPD?

[Sophia1]

Thank you for understanding my intent

@KirstyNEABPD 

Yes and you also reminded me that I wanted to say the majority of these people are under so much strain..

Management need to rethink staffing roles so that training created or provided by people like yourself or those with lived experience and some qualifications can provide help for the staff to be able to provide a far more humanitarian approach.

No more stats, surveys..

Training where it makes a difference by people who can bring about a difference..

[BPDSurvivor]

@Jacques ,

When I felt overwhelmed, sensory objects definitely helped me. However, these tend to deal with the immediate feelings, and do not last.

My favourite items include weighted blankets, squishy toys and kinetic sand.