Living with BPD

Unfortunately I have been absent for a while due to a personal issue, I hope everyone is doing ok and I apologise for disappearing on you all. I have noticed there has been a few posts I have declined from a member that have some nasty content. I will not name the member but what I will say is that everyone is here for kindness and support and I will not allow that content to be posted here. If anyone continues to try to post things unsuitable they will be banned and reported. This is a safe page for people who share an issue to connect and find advice and friendship.

Im struggling with how hard it is for people to accept it is not just from trauma. Yours maybe from trauma but not everyone's is. Don't assume yours is the only type there is its not! Its like saying there's only one kind of depression or cancer its ridiculous.

Many believe think BPD is trauma based only, this is not the case, i was born with mine.

Living with BPD is difficult, whether you are the person with it or you have a loved one suffering with it. People who do not suffer with it but have loved ones that do are as scared and confused as we are. They do not understand our behaviours and attitudes when we split or are triggered.
These people can walk away when it gets tough but they dont. They stay and support us and love us whether or not we believe that. so every now and then on our brighter days let them know you appreciate them. A little thing like that can make it worth the hurt and pain we can cause.

Pleased to meet you!!
I have been living with BPD for 30 yrs. I was diagnosed at 15 and at that time it was relatively unknown so neither my mum or myself were offered any help or advice. I found ways eventually to manage my triggers and that helped for a long time. Recently I have been diagnosed with Lupus and this has hit hard. I have been crashing down and searching for the support I have needed for a lifetime. I joined several groups on here some of which I found to be full of shaming and trigger posts from people who do not understand. So I thought I would try to do a better job of creating what is a safe space to help and support each other.

There is no medication specifically approved for BPD, but doctors may prescribe medications to treat co-occurring conditions or individual symptoms like mood swings, impulsivity, depression, and anxiety. Common options include antidepressants (SSRIs), mood stabilizers/anticonvulsants, and antipsychotics. Combining these medications with therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), is often the most effective treatment approach.

Types of medications that may be used

Antidepressants:

Especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which can help with co-occurring depression.

Mood stabilizers and anticonvulsants:

These can help with mood instability, irritability, and aggression. Examples include lithium and valproate.

Antipsychotics:

Atypical antipsychotics may be used to manage symptoms like impulsivity and aggression.

Anti-anxiety medications:

Benzodiazepines are generally not recommended for long-term use due to the risk of habit formation and increased impulsivity, but short-term use in a crisis may be considered.

Important considerations

Individualized treatment:

The type of medication, if any, is chosen based on an individual's specific symptoms and needs.

Combination therapy:

Medication is most effective when used alongside psychotherapy, such as DBT.

Consult a professional:

It is crucial to discuss the benefits and potential side effects with a doctor or mental health professional before starting any new medication.

No cure:

Medications do not cure BPD but can help manage symptoms and improve daily functioning.

Symptoms of BPD include intense mood swings, unstable relationships, a distorted self-image, and impulsive and self-destructive behaviors like self-harm or suicidal threats. Individuals may also experience chronic feelings of emptiness, intense anger, and a deep fear of abandonment, which can lead to paranoia or dissociation under stress.

Emotional instability and mood swings

Intense and unpredictable moods: Emotions can swing from one extreme to another in a short amount of time, sometimes lasting from a few hours to a few days.

Intense anger: Difficulty controlling anger, which can lead to angry outbursts or frequent fights.

Feelings of emptiness: A persistent sense of loneliness or emptiness.

Unstable relationships

Intense, unstable relationships:

A pattern of turbulent relationships that can swing between idealizing someone and devaluing them.

Fear of abandonment:

An extreme reaction to the fear of being left or rejected, which can lead to frantic efforts to avoid it.

Distorted self-image and identity

Confused sense of self: Unstable feelings about who you are, which can change depending on the situation or the people you are with.

Identity diffusion: A lack of a cohesive sense of self.

Impulsive and self-destructive behavior

Impulsivity: Acting on impulse in ways that are damaging, such as reckless spending, unsafe s*x, substance abuse, binge eating, or reckless driving.

Self-harm and suicidal behavior: Recurring self-harming actions, suicidal threats, or su***de attempts.

Stress-related symptoms

Paranoia: Short-term paranoid thoughts when under stress.

Dissociation: Feelings of being disconnected from one's own body or reality, sometimes described as feeling like an outside observer.

Other possible symptoms

Hearing voices: Some individuals may hear voices for minutes at a time.

Lasting hallucinations: Experience long-lasting hallucinations.

Beliefs that can't be changed: Having beliefs that no one can talk them out of.