BPD awareness month

Thank you for this thread @Sally77 . I was only aware of BPD Awareness Week in October.

Clearly from my username, I am a survivor of BPD. I've had it for really long time now. I'm glad i have it because it's really helped me work on things I'm not good at in order to grow.

I've also met a lot of people along the way as part of my recovery journey. I started this thread a few years ago Raising Awareness of BPD - Flipping the Script 

I wish people and the 'system' was less afraid of supporting people with BPD.

What's your BPD story? @Sally77 

Thanks for starting this thread. The stigma attached to BPD is significant, and it has a long history.

I remember, as some of you might too, that before approaches like Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) became more widely known, BPD was often seen as untreatable. Because of that, the system wasn’t always compassionate or understanding toward people like me, especially during times of crisis.

At times, responses that were meant to “discourage” certain behaviours ended up causing further harm and added to the trauma. I really hope there has been a cultural shift since then.

Back then, I struggled a lot with self-harm. I still remember being referred to by a senior clinician as the area’s “leading borderline.” It wasn’t said as a compliment, and it stayed with me. 

These days, I rarely, if ever, self-harm. It’s taken a lot to get here. I’m still living with some of the lasting effects of what I went through, but things are different now. For a long time, I didn’t expect to make it to this age given my history. And yet… here I am.

My eldest daughter has bpd and it's a nightmare she can be great one min and then switch to angry at split second over nothing. She can't regulate her emotions but also believes to have ADHD by psychiatrist so it's a mixture of both so it's fun fun lol

Hi @Artgirl-80laun, welcome to the forums

It sounds like things have been feeling really intense and challenging lately. Supporting someone who is struggling with big emotions and finding it hard to regulate can be exhausting at times, especially when things can shift quickly.

I can also hear some humour in your message, while recognising there may be a lot underneath that too. It’s okay to acknowledge when it feels hard.

I’m glad you shared here. I hope this space can offer support and understanding for both you and others navigating similar experiences.

🌻

Life for me has been a living nightmare the last 5 years my partner died by suicide and it is still agonising to live with I suffer ideations myself I have deal with cos I feel like I have nothing good here I mean I love my kids but sometimes not even that's enough I'm sick of the pain from my life, being sexually assaulted, being abandoned from my parents, being bullied by my family for being ugly all my life so yeah I've had it tough . 

Hi @Artgirl-80laun. Yes - you sum it up well with 'I've had it tough'. But here you are, not allowing the 'nightmare' to overwhelm you and instead acknowledging the scale of the challenges that have confronted you and reaching out this community, where others can bear witness. Perhaps sharing these feelings can itself be some validation of the strengths you have demonstrated in coming through everything you have been through. 

Go easy on yourself. And if it would be helpful to have more scaffolding to support you in the days and weeks ahead, think about RecoveryClub.

Take care. 🌳

Hi, Ive had a lifelong history of trauma and neglect. When I was going through my twenties I just believed there was something wrong with me, I was broken, I wasn't normal. I went through years of being misdiagnosed and given wrong medication. Finally I was diagnosed with bpd and given the right treatment. Its such a relief knowing what's going on with me and that others know what its like. Most people don't understand what it is. Often peo0ple ask me how many personalitie3s do I have, I answer just one. There are also positive aspects of BPD, we are very empathic, we are honest and loyal, and usually very funny. Its a hard thing to I've with though.

Dear girl, we have all had it rough, we are here if you need to talk. 

Its been said that in 2027 people with borderline can apply for assisted death. Why? Is it because they don't know how to deal with us? Or is it because BPD is the most painful mental condition

Hey @Sally77, welcome to the Forums and thank you for sharing your experiences with the community!

It sounds like you have been through a lot over the years and that you are very resilient and brave. It takes courage to be able to share our challenging experiences with the community and I appreciate your vulnerablility.

You may also like to introduce your self here: https://saneforums.org/t5/Welcome-and-getting-started/Welcome-Introduce-yourself-here/m-p/1149480 

I encourage you to continue to share your experiences with your peers and I believe they may have some insights to share!

Take care

RiverSeal 

Hey @Sally77, thank you for adding this discussion point for the community!

This highlights that people who experience mental health have self-determination and demonstrates the value of lived experience. This names a painful situation and ask's an uncomfortable question whilst seeking connection with your peers. 

I believe that the community will have some insights to share with this question!

Thanks again 🙂

RiverSeal 

Oh my eldest daughter she used have soooooo much rage she'd punch holes in the walls wed always have plaster the holes up she was so so violent. She's alot more mellow now actually a disability worker now and loves her job 🙏