Real life Meetup Groups for BPD

Hi,
Has anyone been to one of the real-life Meetup groups for BPD? You can see where they exist here - Borderline Personality Disorder Meetup Groups - Meetup

Right now they are in several countries including the US and England. I believe they are real-life support groups where people meet regularly to share their experience with BPD and how they are working to recover.

I always wanted to go to one of these... many years ago I went to a 12-step group for an addiction, but never shared about BPD at that. A similar style of meeting, perhaps not exactly 12-step, could be adapted for BPD. Why couldn't someone who has BPD or used to have BPD start a self-organized group to promote its recovery. I might one day want to do that in the Washington DC area.

I guess that would be similar to the STEPPS program that was developed specifically for BPD...

Interesting thanks. I looked up the website - STEPPS for BPD

It looks like it's for mental health professionals to guide them in leading therapy groups. But I don't see any links to STEPPS groups that are existing nd ongoing. Also, my idea was a little bit different (it wouldn't involve therapists directly). Maybe that's an unrealistic idea? I don't know.

STEPPS also has a follow on programme called STAIRWAYS. I have done both of these, it's all DBT stuff and with the support of peers with the same diagnosis. Really useful stuff.

I'm not sure about a group not involving professionals...you would need some kind of facilitator, right?

You wouldn't have to have an outside facilitator -

See this example - BPD Support of San Diego (La Mesa, CA) - Meetup
And this - Shades of Grey BPD: NYC (New York, NY) - Meetup

These people do have an organizer (who is someone with BPD), and they meet in real life and confidentially share experiences and support each other. In that way it's similar but not identical to a 12-step group.

Well, when I think of 12-step groups, I think that religion is involved. Some sort of admission to "God" or "Jesus", and that makes me uncomfortable.

I would much rather prefer keeping my focus upon myself and nature. Nature is my safe place that I can trust.

Shezbut,
I strongly agree about religion. I used to attend 12-step groups and it made me really uncomfortable to be pressured to say the lord's prayer and to "admit my powerlessness and give myself over to God", because I am an agnostic. That's why I eventually quit the program.

It would be much better if any self-organized group for BPD had no position and religion and was focused on human support for the disorder, rather than divine intervention

okay...so I joined meetup...new group in my area...first meeting 2/23 at a starbucks...I hate starbucks...not sure if I am going...we will see...... hmmmm

Good job, lynn! If you do go, you will have to tell us how it went for you. The way that the meeting goes ~ if it helps you feel safe at all, etc.

I do hope that you go, and that the meeting turns out to be a great support and emotional release for you.

so here's the rest of the story.....because of all the snow....first meeting was cancelled....already feeling disappointed and let down by this...oh well...will keep trying...hope it will meet eventually....