[dlaka66]

I don't really know what to think of it all since I was diagnosed, and the last week I've just sat around depressed, I think I could have gone my whole life without knowing this, I'm usually a "knowledge is power" type of person, but not on this situation yet.

But I do want to work on it all too, and manage to have stable friendships and do well in college for once, I just don't really know how, and my therapist isn't really too helpful. Does anyone have any advice, or things you wish you knew when you were first diagnosed?

Thanks!

[ginaaa22]

if your therapist isnt helpful then find a different one. there is a site online (cant remember the name) where you can type in your location and your diagnosis and all the treatment options you want like DBT which is very helpful for people with BPD. You can list all of your diagnosis if you have multiple. I just switched to a new one I found off that site and I couldnt be more happy.

There isnt anything I wish I knew when I was first diagnosis but I wish I was diagnosed much earlier in life so I could avoided ruining some relationships.

I am 48 years old and was just diagnosed last year (maybe two years ago - I do not recall).

And when you read the traits (IE the book I hate you don't leave me) - you will likely see yourself over and over and over again.

It will all make sense. That is not to say all is better. But at least you will understand WHY you act the way you do.

[trying2survive]

Originally Posted by dlaka66

I don't really know what to think of it all since I was diagnosed, and the last week I've just sat around depressed, I think I could have gone my whole life without knowing this, I'm usually a "knowledge is power" type of person, but not on this situation yet.

But I do want to work on it all too, and manage to have stable friendships and do well in college for once, I just don't really know how, and my therapist isn't really too helpful. Does anyone have any advice, or things you wish you knew when you were first diagnosed?

Thanks!

i wish i knew earlier, much earlier i feel so much better now because i understand my impulses and urges & why i did the things i did and feel they way i do now, it's much easier to regulate my emotions, when i feel myself sliding out of control i say to myself " must be my BPD acting up again let me calm down" that helps me a lot, i still have my mood swings and everything else but i feel like i have much more control over myself now. for me finding out what was wrong was one of the best things that has happened to me in a long time, hope this helps

[dlaka66]

Originally Posted by ginaaa22

if your therapist isnt helpful then find a different one. there is a site online (cant remember the name) where you can type in your location and your diagnosis and all the treatment options you want like DBT which is very helpful for people with BPD. You can list all of your diagnosis if you have multiple. I just switched to a new one I found off that site and I couldnt be more happy.

There isnt anything I wish I knew when I was first diagnosis but I wish I was diagnosed much earlier in life so I could avoided ruining some relationships.

I'm a bit limited on choices because of money at this point in my life, the only reason I'm able to see anyone is because it's through my college because it's one of the things they offer for free with enrollment. I start DBT sometime next week. I guess I'm pretty lucky that I was diagnosed now than much later down the road, and I'm glad you found a therapist who works for you, soon enough I'll join you :P

[dlaka66]

Originally Posted by Useless Me

I am 48 years old and was just diagnosed last year (maybe two years ago - I do not recall).

And when you read the traits (IE the book I hate you don't leave me) - you will likely see yourself over and over and over again.

It will all make sense. That is not to say all is better. But at least you will understand WHY you act the way you do.

I was reading up about BPD as soon as I got home the day I was diagnosed, and I found that book and read the parts of it that are available to read on google books. It was enjoyable and I plan to read the whole thing eventually, but reading those parts was something I shouldn't have done at that really emotional moment in time. Like you said, I saw myself over and over again, and in such a depressing mood, I let it bring me down that day.

[henrydavidtherobot]

Don't let the diagnosis freak you out. You aren't defective and will get better if you put the work in.

[technigal]

I am another one who wishes that I was diagnosed earlier. I am 44 and was diagnosed in September 2013.

A good book which you can probably get from the library is "BPD for Dummies". When I was first diagnosed I couldn't concentrate on reading much and it was very helpful.

DBT will be a big help. I am a couple of months into DBT and have seen a huge improvement. A good website is DBT Self Help

[{Trixy}]

Originally Posted by dlaka66

I don't really know what to think of it all since I was diagnosed, and the last week I've just sat around depressed, I think I could have gone my whole life without knowing this, I'm usually a "knowledge is power" type of person, but not on this situation yet.

But I do want to work on it all too, and manage to have stable friendships and do well in college for once, I just don't really know how, and my therapist isn't really too helpful. Does anyone have any advice, or things you wish you knew when you were first diagnosed?

Thanks!

Do your self a favor and don't read to much about it right now. I did and it was a mistake (diagnosed 07/2013)... When a person is diagnosed with cancer (which I have been) the doctors office tells them not to play doctor or detective on the Internet. It will scare you and it will depress you. The way they write about bpd is not true. We're not monsters, were extremely loving people with an emotional system that didn't develop properly due to our early environment/trauma (most of us anyways). With honest, hard work, you will be just fine. It's all up to us on which way were going to take our lives. It's literally learning the game of mind control and not reacting with our emotions, instead using our logical minds... I'm not going to lie, it is hard as hell. Life is hard and nothing worth it is ever easy. The info on the Internet makes a person feel helpless due to negative stigma. The good side, now you know what your dealing with and you can make healthy choices to feel better..

[Espresso]

For me, having the diagnosis was somewhat of a relief. It finally explained so many messed up things in my life and gave me the hope that those things can be made better. While I still have to take responsibility for my actions and decisions, it at least let me see that I'm not necessarily horrible or crazy and also not alone in my struggles. In these respects, knowledge really was power for me. I don't know if you are able to see it like that or not.