[not quite right]

I'm fairly new diagnosed bpd, I've done a lot of research on most personality disorders but this one I knew almost nothing about. Now, the disorder itself has been part of me for so long as I remember, but now it has a name. It is one of 7 psychiatric illnesses I'm being treated for, and I'm sure they all play off each other in a way that is completely unique, but now it's left me homebound and completely unfunctioning in the general public. They have no way to make it better, can only lessen the severity of the symptoms. So I have to learn to accept that I am not going to get better, and finding peace is highly unlikely. Bummer. I'm not suicidal, just angry and saddened by the reality. I knowI have good moments to treasure, past and future, and that's what will get me through the hard times. Just didn't realize how bad it was.

[Secretum]

Please hold on to hope. The world is full of heroes who overcome great adversity. You could be the next one! Plus, research on mental health issues is ongoing, and the future will see the development of many new treatments.

Please, please, please don't give up.

[Honeybeez]

Dont ever give up . As they tell me . Be proud of who you are even with all those problems that s what make s you you

Hey there, as someone who also once fit several diagnoses (and now doesn't believe in any diagnoses), I can tell you that your labels DO NOT mean you are doomed to a painful life. Labels are, in fact, for doctors and therapists and insurance companies to categorize you and throw a bunch of treatment options at you.

First off, you are right ... we can only lessen the severity of the symptoms ... there is no such thing as a "cure", but who says there needs to be one ?... Mental illness labels are subjective to begin with, one doctor says "You're bipolar", another says, "You're borderline". So WHAT ??? Fancy terms ! And, even if there was a "cure", would you just feel it overnight ? There is no magic pill. We need to come up with coping strategies, and I firmly believe we are all capable of doing so. Ultimately, it's not about cures, it's about making your life better by not letting the things that used to bother you continue to bother you.

Others will disagree, but what I did not too long ago, which has radically improved my life, was, I renounced all my labels. I realized that, after all the suffering, all the failed therapy and SSRIs and benzos and whatever else they threw at me, I'm just a person - a person with strengths and weaknesses .. a person who is worth the same as anyone else on this Earth ... a person who needs to be his own best friend because no one else will.

You get the idea ... my point is ... please don't let the labels bring you down. A better approach, in my opinion, would be to tackle the individual symptoms that bother you. List them down ... anxiety, anger, whatever. And the behaviors you notice are self-defeating.

Example of a self-defeating behavior and a solution: When people tailgate me on the freeway, I step on the brakes and slow everyone down. This is dangerous ! It is not worth it. I should just move over and let people be assholes if they want to. I care about my health and my safety, more than my ego.

And then, put your solution into practice. When someone tailgates you, breathe, calm down, and move over. Over time, you will be able to do it consistently without it affecting your mood.

Sorry for the long post, but I really want to show you that there is hope, please don't let the labels get you down.

YOU CAN COPE, YOU CAN IMPROVE, YOU CAN LIVE.

Originally Posted by Honeybeez

Dont ever give up . As they tell me . Be proud of who you are even with all those problems that s what make s you you

Amen ! Be your own best friend Love that person in the mirror !

[lostinlindon]

Originally Posted by not quite right

I'm fairly new diagnosed bpd, I've done a lot of research on most personality disorders but this one I knew almost nothing about. Now, the disorder itself has been part of me for so long as I remember, but now it has a name. It is one of 7 psychiatric illnesses I'm being treated for, and I'm sure they all play off each other in a way that is completely unique, but now it's left me homebound and completely unfunctioning in the general public. They have no way to make it better, can only lessen the severity of the symptoms. So I have to learn to accept that I am not going to get better, and finding peace is highly unlikely. Bummer. I'm not suicidal, just angry and saddened by the reality. I knowI have good moments to treasure, past and future, and that's what will get me through the hard times. Just didn't realize how bad it was.

I originally received my official borderline diagnosis in June. I knew that I had had it since I was a little child. Like most, I assume, I also have Major Depressive Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and features of Avoidant Personality Disorder.

This is how I look at it, BPD is a learned type of behavior based on traumatic or conflicting situations from my younger years. There is no pill to make it go away, they, (assuming your therapists/doctor) DO have a way to help you, not cure you. Here is the rub, your clinicians will give you the tools and help guide you...but only you can create your new life.

A surgeon can mend a broken bone, you and your body need time to rebuild the bone.

I got real low but finally realized that all the BPD producing situations from my past are in my control. They are my memories that I can shelve or review. Now as I review them they aren't as painful because I am finally learning from them.

All future possible BPD type situations are also in my/your control.

Reinvent yourself, Yourself version 2.0!!! You have to let all of the negativity go and live!!! Become that person who was always in the back of your mind.

Undoing learned behavior boils down to time and approaching new situations as a "learning opportunity"!!!!

HTH

[lostinlindon]

One more thing. Please please please take an active role in your recovery. Read up on therapies, medicines, alternative medicines etc and involve your clinicians on your research. If you dont agree with something, speak up, if you want to try something different, Speak Up.

Its your future and I wholeheartedly believe its a bright one!

[Crazy Hitch]

Hi not quite right

I had a bit of an aha moment when I received an official diagnosis of borderline. I realize in hindsight I've had the symptoms for a long time.

I have other diagnosis too - but the characteristics of borderline didn't fit the criteria of my other diagnosis so it's like the pieces of the puzzles finally matched.

[not quite right]

My full dx is panic disorder with severe panic attacks and agoraphobia, dysthemic disorder , ptsd, disassociation disorder, insomnia, GAD, ptsd, and borderline personality disorder. All are extreme cases and I'm not able to function properly. So, I take my meds, which help, but, they make it unsafe fire me to drive, or work. Still fighting a disability claim. I am hoping the psychiatrist in seeing now will strengthen my claim. I hate not working, but the simple fact is that I can't. It's unfair to punish me for being mentally ill. I keep reminding myself that people are ignorant and it's just the way it is.