[BuffaloGal1969]

I was recently diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder in addition to my Bipolar diagnosis. I am overwhelmed. My life is in a shambles, I have managed to almost push my 21 year old daughter, my best friend of 30 years away and my family away. I think about suicide all of the time. It just seems like the easy way out. A few weeks ago I had to go into inpatient because I wanted to swallow a bottle of pills.

Does anyone else have a dual diagnosis? If so, how are you coping. I switched my pdoc and my therapist in the hopes that I will receive more intensive treatment. I am also going to start attending group therapy once a week. I take my meds as directed... but I am wondering if anyone has any tips to get through this.

From what I hear, BPD takes a lot of effort to overcome and there are no meds to help. Does anyone else have this?

thanks.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I have traits of bpd along with my bp. I go to a DBT group weekly to deal with my erratic moods and poor relationships. It's hard.

I hope group therapy is helpful to you!

[BuffaloGal1969]

Hi Halliebeth87. I have to wait to get into DBT therapy. For now I am going to a free mental health group in a church. I dont know how helpful it will be. Its nice to know I am not alone. Im sure you understand where I am coming from.

[newtothis31]

Hi BuffaloGal- Nothing to say other than offering you hugs. The Washington Post had a great article about borderline personality disorder earlier this week. unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be as well-researched as bipolar disorder.
It sounds like you are taking positive steps to claim your life back. keep us posted on how you're doing.

[Trippin2.0]

I have both, I wasn't shocked or overwhelmed by the additional dx, in fact, I actually had to point it out to my pdoc at the time, who eventually agreed with me after reading through my therapists notes and meeting with him.


How do I cope?


Knowledge is power, and not the type you get from google...


Google bpd and all you'll find is how we're all terrible monsters and deserve to be locked away and or avoided at all cost.


So yeah, don't do that.


Post in the bpd forum, read up on DBT, I practiced alot of the skills (info I found right here on PC) way before I even started attending the group.


Also perception is key.

With bpd, sure pills can take the edge off your external symptoms, but its our thought processes and internal belief systems that are flawed.


So if you don't attempt to keep or find a healthier perspective, then there's no point in trying to adapt to a healthier state of being.


And that's essentially what we need to learn, how to behave in healthier manners, even when the thoughts and feelings aren't. But don't worry, they become second nature eventually, and don't feel fake or like such a huge effort like at the beginning.


If it makes you feel better, you're faaaar from alone, quite a few of us have this combo.


Just search through older threads and you'll see what I mean


I assure you, its not the end of the world, your world is not crashing down around you. Your mind is just catastrophesizing, because you feel overwhelmed and that's its default setting.

[BuffaloGal1969]

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

I have both, I wasn't shocked or overwhelmed by the additional dx, in fact, I actually had to point it out to my pdoc at the time, who eventually agreed with me after reading through my therapists notes and meeting with him.


How do I cope?


Knowledge is power, and not the type you get from google...


Google bpd and all you'll find is how we're all terrible monsters and deserve to be locked away and or avoided at all cost.


So yeah, don't do that.


Post in the bpd forum, read up on DBT, I practiced alot of the skills (info I found right here on PC) way before I even started attending the group.


Also perception is key.

With bpd, sure pills can take the edge off your external symptoms, but its our thought processes and internal belief systems that are flawed.


So if you don't attempt to keep or find a healthier perspective, then there's no point in trying to adapt to a healthier state of being.


And that's essentially what we need to learn, how to behave in healthier manners, even when the thoughts and feelings aren't. But don't worry, they become second nature eventually, and don't feel fake or like such a huge effort like at the beginning.


If it makes you feel better, you're faaaar from alone, quite a few of us have this combo.


Just search through older threads and you'll see what I mean


I assure you, its not the end of the world, your world is not crashing down around you. Your mind is just catastrophesizing, because you feel overwhelmed and that's its default setting.

WOW! thanks for the words. It gives me some hope that things can get better.

[Trippin2.0]

Hope is a good thing, hold onto it, and keep posting, keep learning, keep your eye on the prize, and most importantly, keep going.

[Nammu]

Lots of times in crisis I've been told I present as BPD but then when I'm not in a crisis I'm told, no way are you BPD....so it might be that it's part of the stress and crisis you're going though right now. I couldn't say. But therapy helps with both. I've heard too that DBT is best for BPD. I have done mostly CBT with a lot of new agey stuff for my PTSD and it helped a great deal and also helps deal with BP. .......can't go wrong with good therapy.

it's a great journey.

[Row Jimmy]

I used to have a dual diagnosis but my p-doc sort of stepped away from BPD during our appointment a few weeks ago. I have been doing well lately so I'll share some of what has helped me. BTW I take Depakote.

First and foremost, find conviction in doing what is best for you. Don't try to please everyone else or follow their lead. In the end, everyone else will benefit.

Recalibrate life and find enjoyment in simple things like driving around with the sunroof down, listening to birds, staring out the window, or cooking something fun.

Keep a healthy routine - work out, walk, meditate, get some sleep, eat well, watch your booze. Stick with it and be consistent - treat it like a 12 Step program.

De emphasize things like work or trying to keep up with everyone socially. We can still do our jobs and go out here and there without going overboard to a point where we screw ourselves into the ground.

Maintain perspective - this might be a lifelong challenge but it doesn't have to be a *struggle*. Don't search for a cure......IMO, there is none.

Try (if you can) to consider your diagnosis a blessing because now we know what to do.

OK good luck. Rock on.