BPD Facing borderline personality disorder

[IamFree]

Hey guys strongly beginning to realise how most of my life to varying degrees I have actually had what seems to be bdp. Knowing this makes sense of so many years. The self harm. The drama the volatile relationships. Also scary to the way it's portrayed in the. Movies think fatal attraction and Eileen wuornos, monster. It's is very much a monster that threatens to destroy you.

I read a book about it to and just knew I was reading about my self

 

[Deleted member 541]

I suggest getting a diagnosis before you start going there.

 

[IamFree]

indeed I need to go and talk to the proffessionals

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Hey guys strongly beginning to realise how most of my life to varying degrees I have actually had what seems to be bdp.

I can identify with this. I strongly suspected BPD for years before I was diagnosed. But, after I was diagnosed (which happened quickly and because I had strongly suspected it just validated everything. There was no bucking the diagnosis like there was with PTSD) it wasn't too scary. It took a while and a lot of help from this site to narrow in on DBT, CBT, and then later Seriquel XR (which is a hugmougus godsend for me) and it took a lot of work and time to stablize myself a bit but I did it. I'd recommend first to get diagnosed but also the DBT workbook: Dead Link Removed would be of help even if you don't have BPD but need help regulating emotions and tolerating distress. That workbook has had a workout for sure. I have redone chapters many times over.

Hope this helps some.

 

[Marinna]

Hey guys strongly beginning to realise how most of my life to varying degrees I have actually had what...

I have a friend with BPD. We actually have some symptoms in common tbh. Any kind of confrontation or critiscm leads to extreme anger in both of us (although the processes involved are different with bpd vs ptsd). Both of us are decent people who do not act on our anger. That is the key point. Just because you might have this rollercoaster of a condition (and please see someone for diagnosis) does not mean you act a certain way. A condition is just that. A condition. Doesn't mean you act on every negative thought or feeling you may or may not have. Try not to worry about the stigma etc. There are plenty of us who understand, or try to. My friend self harms but wouldn't hurt a fly. Knowing her has definitley reduced my own previous prejudice.

Reading something that resonates so deeply must take some getting used to. I hope everything works out ok. Good luck xxx

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Just because you might have this rollercoaster of a condition (and please see someone for diagnosis) does not mean you act a certain way.

I have blind rage explotions. Can't really control it to be honest. All I can see is red. I have no idea what I am doing or saying until it's over. It's better since I've been on 200mg Seriquel XR but that is something I still struggle with. I was taught how to feel it before it happens but it's not long. 30 seconds maybe. Sometimes less. Not always enough time to get away from the person. I used to throw chairs at a job I had but I was also on coke and crack at the time so I am sure that didn't help. But BPD absolutly effects how I act. Just as PTSD does.

My friend self harms but wouldn't hurt a fly.

That stigma started with Jodi Aris I think. Claiming BPD caused her to kill her boyfriend. That's bullshit. We hurt ourselves, not others. But even my own dad and step mom looked at me differently after they heard Jodi Aris scream BPD and told me they were waiting for me to "snap" and would sleep with butcher knives under their pillow. It's all BS as I would never hurt anyone. Ever! But, blind rage explostions don't help that sterotype any at all.

 

[Marinna]

I have blind rage explotions. Can't really control it to be honest. All I can see is red....

Sorry if I got it wrong. Still learning about BPD. Sounds like absolute hell and i am sorry you have to go through that :"(


I am also sorry and a bit pissed off that you have been treated like that. You have certainly taught me something today and I wish you well with your treatment x

 

[IamFree]

I have blind rage explotions. Can't really control it to be honest. All I can see is red....

yes I have observed bdp seems to get confused with antisocial personality disorder which is the one which makes you dangerous to others.

I can identify with this. I strongly suspected BPD for years before I was diagnosed. But, a...

yes as there so similar I imagine treating one would have some affect on the other

 

[IamFree]

I can identify with this. I strongly suspected BPD for years before I was diagnosed. But, a...

I would be interested to know how you combined dbt and cbt as there different systems any tips

 

[lostforgottensoul]

combined dbt and cbt as there different systems

DBT is part of CBT. So not really different systems. I don't really combine them but rather go through the DBT workbook and then use some CBT concepts such as thought records: Cognitive Therapy, CBT, Thought Record/ Thought Review for the distressing thoughts to learn how to tolerate distress better (which is also part of DBT) and to help challenge congitive distortions (part of PTSD).

Just as example. I use many more CBT concepts in my daily life but that was just a quick example.

 

[joeylittle]

DBT is part of CBT. So not really different systems.

No, they are different. They only share in common the concept that how we think is related to how we feel and act.

Marsha Linehan, who conceived of DBT, did so after realizing the CBT was ineffective as a treatment protocol for people with Borderline because it did not sufficiently address the need for acceptance of the disorder, as well as the distress tolerance skills that are essential for day-to-day living while improving. CBT also does not address the specific kinds of relational dysfunctions people with BPD have.

It can be much easier to understand DBT if you've first done a bit of CBT - just for understanding the concept of cognitive therapy, generally.

For borderline personality disorder, DBT is the absolute first-line therapy. And for people with BPD diagnosed, or even with simply very prominent BPD traits - doing the classic protocol for DBT is really not a bad idea. It has a lot of support and education built in.

But there are also more streamlined ways to learn the techniques. I strongly recommend finding a DBT group where you'll be guided through them. You can take yourself through the books, but honestly - you'll struggle less if you can get into some kind of structured program where you can learn the basics.

Many hospital outpatient programs use DBT techniques, as well as there being specific groups dedicated to running DBT workshops and seminars.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

No, they are different

I was always told that DBT was part of CBT. But I dunno. I knew Marsha Linehan created it and saw her 48 min video on youtube about it. The workbook works great for me but it helped that my therapist and I did some of it together to really get me started. I did it in chunks and also skipped around in the workbook. I also go back to it often. I can't go to classes but for those that can I'm sure it would be of great help to understand many of the concepts and learn how to apply them (applying them can be difficult alone. Or for me it was. I had to go through a few chapters a few times to really apply them).