Hello,

I would like your help understanding how difficult and how long the process is to treat BPD? Does it depend on the individual? I heard it took a woman 20 years to cure BPD.

[technigal]

Originally Posted by dare

Hello,

I would like your help understanding how difficult and how long the process is to treat BPD? Does it depend on the individual? I heard it took a woman 20 years to cure BPD.

Oh great. If that is true I will be at least 65 when I am "cured".

I think it depends on the individual and the motivation to change. I am considered "high-functioning" and would imagine treatment time would be less then someone who was "low-functioning". Maybe I will know more after my appointment.

Well in my case, i'm not suited to behavioural therapy which is widely regarded as the most effective treatment for many BPD sufferers. Due to where i live and the lack of other means, access to alternative treatment is effectively denied - so i couldn't actually be cured even if wanted too.

I just had to have my doctor fill out some forms for me to be eligible for FMLA (a thing in the USA that keeps you from getting fired while you get treatment even if during normal work hours)....

One of the questions was treatment would conclude. The doctor wrote something along the lines (I do not remember the exact wording) "patient will never get over this"

Sorry - but it sounds like BPD is a lifelong struggle. But I think some people learn how to deal with it. I was only recently diagnosed - so I am pretty uneducated on HOW you treat it.

Originally Posted by Useless Me

I just had to have my doctor fill out some forms for me to be eligible for FMLA (a thing in the USA that keeps you from getting fired while you get treatment even if during normal work hours)....

One of the questions was treatment would conclude. The doctor wrote something along the lines (I do not remember the exact wording) "patient will never get over this"

Sorry - but it sounds like BPD is a lifelong struggle. But I think some people learn how to deal with it. I was only recently diagnosed - so I am pretty uneducated on HOW you treat it.

I have only recently been diagnosed as well so I am also uneducated on how you treat it etc. I don't even understand the difference between CBT and DBT.

And I have only done DBT and am ignorant on CBT - thus I can not tell you the "differences".

[technigal]

CBT is cognitive behaviour therapy and did NOTHING for me. Basically you try to train yourself to react differently to certain situations. For example, road rage, instead of getting angry at someone for cutting you off you would think about the other person having a bad day or whatever and not get angry

It is not hard to treat if the patient is willing and participates in their own treatment. DBT works for a huge amount of BPD sufferers, personally I know about 20 woman who no longer meet the criteria for BPD after completing therapy and continuing to work on themselves over a number of years (under 5). There is a solution if you work at it. I am appalled that posters are implying that it is hopeless, how incredibly unhelpful.

[TheRealFDeal]

I'd say it's very difficult, but not impossible. I started a similar thread a few months ago and cited this site: HealingFromBPD.org: About Me by a woman who claims she used DBT to reduce her symptoms so that she no longer "qualifies" for a BPD diagnosis. Her story is very encouraging, but it certainly does depend on motivation and determination. DBT is a lot of work. I have tried it -- had to go out of state to do so -- and I don't have the motivation or support to keep it up. So it also HUGELY depends on the availability. It's not offered where I live, or I would try it again.

[cboxpalace]

DBT is probably the most recognized treatment for bpd which is based around changing dysfunctional behaviors by learning new coping techniques. Some of it has been helpful for me while other parts of dbt hasn't. It's not an easy road, and a lot of your success will be based on your willingness and how good you do at integrating the coping strategies into your life. It does take work, but it can be helpful. Even if it's only helpful in one area of your life it's one less problem you have to deal with.

Originally Posted by technigal

CBT is cognitive behaviour therapy and did NOTHING for me. Basically you try to train yourself to react differently to certain situations. For example, road rage, instead of getting angry at someone for cutting you off you would think about the other person having a bad day or whatever and not get angry

My CBT was about getting me out in the world meet new people find new friends and everything would be just fine.

[technigal]

Originally Posted by dare

My CBT was about getting me out in the world meet new people find new friends and everything would be just fine.

Hmmm.... I don't remember that. I still have the book I used and would have to look it out.

I find since having a kid you are continually forced to meet knew people, through school, coaches, scouts... it seems never-ending. I have made a few friends with the other moms.

[jadedbutterfly]

Originally Posted by dare

Hello,

I would like your help understanding how difficult and how long the process is to treat BPD? Does it depend on the individual? I heard it took a woman 20 years to cure BPD.

I believe this is different for every person. I was diagnosed with BPD ... 15+ yrs ago.
I did DBT for many years soon after my diagnosis, it helped a great deal. Recently I started slipping again into old behaviors/bad coping skills, having real difficulties interacting with people... etc. And started DBT again near the end of the spring.
It is being run smoother this time around, due to better leaders. and. I know that if I work at it, I will benefit greatly.
I don't know if I will ever be considered "cured" of BPD... but I think I can lessen the symptoms with the help of DBT again.
But I have seen others that I met when I initially did DBT and they are doing great, holding down jobs, better relationships with family and friends. So I guess it is possible to be "cured".

Originally Posted by jadedbutterfly

I believe this is different for every person. I was diagnosed with BPD ... 15+ yrs ago.
I did DBT for many years soon after my diagnosis, it helped a great deal. Recently I started slipping again into old behaviors/bad coping skills, having real difficulties interacting with people... etc. And started DBT again near the end of the spring.
It is being run smoother this time around, due to better leaders. and. I know that if I work at it, I will benefit greatly.
I don't know if I will ever be considered "cured" of BPD... but I think I can lessen the symptoms with the help of DBT again.
But I have seen others that I met when I initially did DBT and they are doing great, holding down jobs, better relationships with family and friends. So I guess it is possible to be "cured".

Thank you for this information. So, I am not a loser for not getting better with a doctor after working with him for 1.5 years. 1/2 hour sessions every other week and he was pissed I had a crisis in May and ended up in hospital. He dumped me as a patient because I wasn't doing better and he did it with attitude and even laughed at me and had a smile on his face as he left the room. I was suicidal because my cousin had just died, I was bullied at work twice and alone. Then he dumped me and made everything ten thousand times worse.

[HealingNSuffering]

Originally Posted by dare

Hello,

I would like your help understanding how difficult and how long the process is to treat BPD? Does it depend on the individual? I heard it took a woman 20 years to cure BPD.

You'd think from reading online its like moving mountains, there is a lot of b/s about BPD online. It depends on the patient and how willing they are to be helped and look at themselves from an outside perspective. It could take 20 years, it could take 1 year. What is often the case (as it was with me) is that the person will go for years "cured" with less serious, or not as many symptoms after treatment. Then slowly start slipping back into their old ways under stress, that's why I think maintenance therapy is a good option, even after you feel better. Even if you only visit every month or so, its good to have a professional monitoring your progress and making sure you don't regress.

Personally I think for anybody to become motivated to cure their mental maladies, they must first hit rock bottom. Which means running out of options, which includes the poor coping skills we pick up along the way. I'm of the philosophy that if you want to heal, you must suffer first. The suffering I'm talking about is a lot worse than the suffering many are used to, it is a torturous suffering, the worst kind of suffering imaginable, confronting yourself from a 3rd person's perspective. In a psychological mirror, looking at our own behaviors objectively. It takes journaling, (sometimes intense) counseling, self-help, support from friends (or family), strong community, and a very earnest effort towards recovery on behalf of the patient.

Best of luck to you.

[TheRealFDeal]

One of the questions was treatment would conclude. The doctor wrote something along the lines (I do not remember the exact wording) "patient will never get over this"

This bothers me so much. I work in HR so I have seen my share of FMLA certifications as well as needed them myself. Doctors need to answer every question, yes, but they need to be as vague as possible. It makes me so uncomfortable when they provide TMI. Your dr should not have put that in writing. Ouch.

[TheRealFDeal]

Originally Posted by Spockette

Well in my case, i'm not suited to behavioural therapy which is widely regarded as the most effective treatment for many BPD sufferers. Due to where i live and the lack of other means, access to alternative treatment is effectively denied - so i couldn't actually be cured even if wanted too.

Spockette, you mentioned in another thread that you were "not suited" for behavioral therapy. If you don't mind me asking, what does this mean? How is it determined that a therapy is not suited for you.

(Love the Spock video in your signature, btw.)

Originally Posted by dare

My CBT was about getting me out in the world meet new people find new friends and everything would be just fine.

Originally Posted by technigal

Hmmm.... I don't remember that. I still have the book I used and would have to look it out.

I find since having a kid you are continually forced to meet knew people, through school, coaches, scouts... it seems never-ending. I have made a few friends with the other moms.

CBT is used in all sorts of therapy techniques, you've probably done more of it in therapy without even realising. I've done CBT based around anxiety management, and CBT based around depressive management all have the same basic premise but can be tailored to meet the individuals particular needs.

I think we need to think positive it is what I am doing, I have not yet done DBT but I am going to be doing it very soon, If we think we are not going to get better well this attitude is very negative. Also I have started reading books on BPD to get a better picture on BPD making so much sense on how I think.

Originally Posted by TheRealFDeal

Spockette, you mentioned in another thread that you were "not suited" for behavioral therapy. If you don't mind me asking, what does this mean? How is it determined that a therapy is not suited for you.

(Love the Spock video in your signature, btw.)

Because it wasn't ASD-adapted. Most behavioural therapies aren't. That being said i'm still interested in MBT but availability and funding are an issue even before suitably can be considered. Same goes with ASD-adapted CBT which would probably be the best option in any case.