Raising Awareness of BPD - Flipping the Script

[DJ228]

Hi,

I am new to this thread, and have been recently diagnosed with BPD. I would love to hear about experiences and surviving BPD. I to really wish to connect with others suffering or have suffered from BPD, I find talking about things really helps and i cant always share with those closest around me. I look foward to connecting with you all!

Kind Regards

DJ228

[Name84]

Couldn't agree more.. it's 2021 why are our kids not been taught mental health and how complex an so much more than just depression & the stigma around drug & alcohol abuse that connects the 2

[Name84]

Thank you for sharing some of your story

[WIP]

Hi @BPDSurvivor 

How are you going my friend? 

[BPDSurvivor]

Hi @WIP !!!

 Thank you for your post! I've been doing really well. Rest assured, I haven't forgotten you! Uni has started again, plus I'm midway through another 3 courses. Hence, I'm slightly 'busy'? I do however go on the forums everyday to respond to tagged posts, as well as browse/respond to new threads. It's been great though!

I have missed browsing through your thread though. Please tag me at anytime. I will NOT feel like you are annoying. I want to be kept in the loop. I've seen your ups. I've seen your downs. I'm ready to see you through. 

Although things have been really good, it didn't mean my life is perfect. I did have a 'BPD moment' where I absolutely lost it at my sister. It's been weeks now, and I'm still working on it. As my psychologist says, 'it's Rupture and Repair'. I've definitely ruptured a relationship with my sister, so now it's about the repair work. It's so damn hard! 

When I exploded at my sister, I felt so down and guilty because I felt like I'd 'failed' in my recovery and gave in to my old habits (which I did). In retrospect, I see it as part of any healthy relationship. Disagreements are bound to occur. This 'hiccup' is a learning for future disagreements  in relationships. For a long time after this incident, I hid at home when I wasn't at work. I thought, "what's the point in having relationships when people get hurt?" - well, did it make me feel better? Hell no!!! I became so withdrawn that I pined away in myself.

So where am I now? Still in the repair stage. I've got a lot more work in order to restore this relationship....

 Other than that, I'm keeping busy.

 What's been happening on your side of Melbourne @WIP ?

BPDSurvivor

@BlueBay @Andrab @Judi9877 @WIP @Nells @Shaz51 @Aniela @JJ4 @vashi @BPDrose @Luca33 @Sarah_850 @Olliesmum @asdfge @SunflowerMe @magical_journey @Tbo @sarvan @Snoopy56 @Ellan @sanity41 @Laylah @Flossy92 @Bow @BPDSurvivor @Jacaranda84 @LouisianaM @Andrab @Theodora @Et68 @26aqua @LostAngel @Healing_Journey @TG1108 @BPDCarer1 

[BPDSurvivor]

Hi @DJ228  and @Name84 ,

Sorry I haven't read your posts until now!

BPD is very complex. I wish people had a better understanding of its treatability - then we wouldn't be placed in the 'too hard' basket!

I totally agree @Name84  that our kids need to know more and understand that having mental health issues doesn't mean they are 'bad'. Neither does it mean they have drug and alcohol issues!

Just to have you know, I have NEVER touched a cigarette in my life; NEVER touched alcohol until I was 35 years old (and, to this day, only ever had it once); and NEVER suffered a traumatic/abusive incident. Yet, lo and behold, I DEFINITELY have BPD - every one of the nine BPD traits. I don't think you could get 'more BPD' than I was! 

What I'm trying to say, is that whatever somebody's history may be, BPD recovery is possible. It is about working with the schemas and thinking habits that are harmful, so that they are replaced with helpful ways of thinking. It takes time and lots of hard work, but totally do-able!

BPDSurvivor

@BlueBay @Andrab @Judi9877 @WIP @Nells @Shaz51 @Aniela @JJ4 @vashi @BPDrose @Luca33 @Sarah_850 @Olliesmum @asdfge @SunflowerMe @magical_journey @Tbo @sarvan @Snoopy56 @Ellan @sanity41 @Laylah @Flossy92 @Bow @BPDSurvivor @Jacaranda84 @LouisianaM @Andrab @Theodora @Et68 @26aqua @LostAngel @Healing_Journey @TG1108 @BPDCarer1 

[WIP]

Hi dear @BPDSurvivor 

So good to hear back from you! 😊

You certainly are busy - studying 3 courses and working F/T. Are the courses work related or your mental health? Or they could be something else totally different, a hobby of some form perhaps. I look forward to the day when I can participate in courses and expand my knowledge.

I've been up and down, it feels more time being down, however I has my weekly psychologist session yesterday and she made the comment of how she's noticed a slight shift in me. I'm a bit more rational with decisions and even my mannerism. I still don't hold much hope, but she believes I'll get there.

The DBT intro course is helping as well, however I do find the content triggering some weeks. As you know, it's pretty heavy content. Im not going to progress to the full 6 month course, as I would have to give up my current psychologist and be under the care of one of the instructors of the course. They could be an O/T or psychologist, compared to who I see, who is a clinical psychologist and the team leader of the DBT stream at the hospital. I'd much prefer to stay with her, and potentially sit through the 12 week intro course again. I missed a couple of classes when I had my fall, so did miss out of some content.

I'm sorry to hear you had an incident with your sister, that's rough. My sister isn't interested in being contact with me while I'm so unwell.'it's too 'difficult'  for her and increases her anxiety, so she goes into self protection mode and ignores me. It hurts a lot.  I'm glad that you are working to repair the r'ship with your sister. I hope things get back to normal with her again soon.

As I said, so good to hear from you.  I'll remember to tag young when I'd like to keep you up to date with my news.

Have a lovely day 💞🦋🐾

[BPDSurvivor]

Hi my dear friend, @WIP !

Shifts that are slow are very hard to detect. In time, when you look back at where you started, that's where you see a difference!

I am so interested in your DBT course. Savour every moment (for me too!). Yes, it is quite content heavy. Hopefully as you go through your notes, you will be able to start putting strats into practice.

As for my studies, it's all to do with education - upskilling to mentor and support others. My particular interest and speciality is working with students who have severe emotional disturbance and challenging behaviour. I thrive on learning more, hence the actual readings are not a bore - it's about having the discipline and perseverance to get started each time, while trying to prioritise so many other things!!!

So yes, please @WIP , please tag me into your posts. I'm so interested to know how you are doing. The connection we have developed makes me feel like I know you in person. To the point where I visualise sitting with you and Levi, chilling and sipping tea! The picture in my mind is probably totally off reality, but it makes sense to me, so I guess it's ok?

Hugs,

BPDSurvivor

[WIP]

I feel like I know you too @BPDSurvivor 

You were one of the first members who helped me when I was in a very bad way during a med change, and over the time we've developed a great friendship. So, yes I can picture is sipping tea watching Levi so his mischievous acts while having a good ol chat.

[BPDSurvivor]

Absolutely love it! @WIP