[coolsocks]

Hi, new here, I’ll keep try to this as short as possible.
I’ve basically had a 4-5 year mental breakdown. I was completely alone, struggling with addiction, an ED and always dropping out of work or college because I just couldn’t do anything other than hide myself away from the world.
I finally got diagnosed with BPD and got medicated (i’m from the uk and the nhs mental health services have always failed me) and have been through some DBT.
My only issue is, now that I’m doing better than I was (rock bottom) I don’t know how to function properly. I haven’t successfully completed a college course or held down a job for more than a few months in the past. I simply don’t know how to do it and I’m afraid I’ll go right back into the cycle of burning out. I struggle finding motivation to do just about anything productive and now need to completely reintroduce myself into society. I’m going back to college in September and not knowing whether I’ll cope or not is a scary thought. I don’t want to keep repeating the same mistakes for the rest of my life. Does anyone have any advice on how to get myself going? Feel normal and able to function again?

[Skeezyks]

Hello coolsocks: I noticed this is your first post here on PC. So... welcome to Psych Central. The addictions & the eating disorders forums may be of interest to you. Here are links to these forums:

https://psychcentralforums.com/addictions/

https://psychcentralforums.com/eating-disorders/

I'm sorry I don't think I have any suggestions for you myself. Hopefully there will be other PC members who will have some ideas they can share. In the meantime, here are links to 7 articles, from Psych Central's archives, that (hopefully) may be of help:

Borderline Personality Disorder: Symptoms & Treatments

Living with Borderline Personality Disorder

6 Gifts of Borderline Personality Disorder

https://psychcentral.com/lib/10-ways...ve-roadblocks/

https://psychcentral.com/blog/warnin...by-motivation/

https://blogs.psychcentral.com/relat...vate-yourself/

https://psychcentral.com/lib/top-10-...-habits/?all=1

I hope you find PC to be of benefit.

[SlumberKitty]

Just take things one step at a time. Going back to college is a good step. Maybe just take a class or two (don't overwhelm yourself with 12 credits or something). Hang in there. Over time things will get easier. HUGS Kit

[daladico]

Hi coolsocks,
By BPD do you mean bipolar or borderline?
I can relate to much of what you said. My bipolar symptoms got significantly worse 2.5 years ago and my functioning significantly declined and I had to drop out of school which was a big deal for me. I still feel a significant struggle in functioning with basic everyday life. Do you have a therapist and psychiatrist? Those have definitely helped me... but the person who has been helping the most with my “functioning” has been my case manager who I’ve had for just a couple months now. May be something to look into. She basically helps me break down the specifics of what I’m struggling to function with, and then helps me make small plans to improve those areas. And she is just an overall great support. I hope you can find someone like that. I’m also having a 4-hour cognitive testing session this week to try to figure out what’s going on.
Hang in there, know you aren’t alone in this!
D

[bpcyclist]

My best advice is 1: find a good therapist that you trust and work hard with her or him; and 2: rely on those all-important DBT skills. You can do this!!

Having taken more than one planned breaks from life, I understand your concern. Believe in yourself, work on yourself and focus on becoming your best self. I can be a downer and total pessimist. My advice is to stay away from people like me. Unless you are an optimist, then we might get along.