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Just diagnosed as BPD and scared

madison1101

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You have nothing to be afraid of. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is not a typical mental illness the way Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia are. Personality disorders are all about learned behaviors. My Cognitive Behavioral Therapist used to tell me, "It's a deeply ingrained, maladaptive pattern of thinking, feeling and behaving." He taught me that I learned the pattern in order to cope with traumas and abuses I experienced all throughout my childhood. He kept helping me see what was wrong with my thinking. He's taught me coping skills, which helped me change my behavior.

I also had tons of help in changing my thinking and behavior from a friend who has discipled me in my faith. She taught me so much Scripture, and really showed me how to become a mature Christian woman, and a role model for my adult daughter.

My suggestion to you is to get into individual psychotherapy with a CBT therapist. I never had DBT. I am practically symptom free. I never had group therapy, except for alcoholism and an eating disorder.

I also suggest you find a mature Christian woman, and ask her to disciple you, and hold you accountable to your prayer and Bible reading.

Finally, get into regular church attendance and participate in a Bible study with other women. Learn to trust them with your prayer requests.

In order to learn more about BPD, Google "Borderline Personality Disorder DSM-IV criteria." There you can learn what symptoms you have that have led to the diagnosis.

While BPD is not caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, the way regular mental illnesses are, some BPD's need medication for co-occurring depression or anxiety. It's okay. It doesn't mean you are crazy. It helps control the symptoms.

Feel free to ask any questions.
 
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Tigger45

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I Googled (BPD) to get more information. I lost my job and therefore my insurance about six months ago and am only working part time so I wouldn't be able to afford a therapist. Do you know of any good self help books, web links, forums or other resources that I could look into for myself? Thank you very much. :{)
You have nothing to be afraid of. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is not a typical mental illness the way Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia are. Personality disorders are all about learned behaviors. My Cognitive Behavioral Therapist used to tell me, "It's a deeply ingrained, maladaptive pattern of thinking, feeling and behaving." He taught me that I learned the pattern in order to cope with traumas and abuses I experienced all throughout my childhood. He kept helping me see what was wrong with my thinking. He's taught me coping skills, which helped me change my behavior.

I also had tons of help in changing my thinking and behavior from a friend who has discipled me in my faith. She taught me so much Scripture, and really showed me how to become a mature Christian woman, and a role model for my adult daughter.

My suggestion to you is to get into individual psychotherapy with a CBT therapist. I never had DBT. I am practically symptom free. I never had group therapy, except for alcoholism and an eating disorder.

I also suggest you find a mature Christian woman, and ask her to disciple you, and hold you accountable to your prayer and Bible reading.

Finally, get into regular church attendance and participate in a Bible study with other women. Learn to trust them with your prayer requests.

In order to learn more about BPD, Google "Borderline Personality Disorder DSM-IV criteria." There you can learn what symptoms you have that have led to the diagnosis.

While BPD is not caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, the way regular mental illnesses are, some BPD's need medication for co-occurring depression or anxiety. It's okay. It doesn't mean you are crazy. It helps control the symptoms.

Feel free to ask any questions.
 
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madison1101

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I Googled (BPD) to get more information. I lost my job and therefore my insurance about six months ago and am only working part time so I wouldn't be able to afford a therapist. Do you know of any good self help books, web links, forums or other resources that I could look into for myself? Thank you very much. :{)


If there is a mental health agency where you don't need insurance, I'd recommend that. Otherwise, let me dig up something and get back to you.

Can you apply for Medicaid?
 
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Kylor

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Murmur said:
I was recently diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and I'm a bit scared. What does it mean? What are the symptoms?
I've already been in CBT Group Therapy 3 times, and cannot afford DBT.
Please pray for me and help me understand this? :confused:

:hug:
 
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simonar

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Hi my dear friend,

Don`t worry .Don`t despair.Consider it just a disease,like diabetes.It all depends on you and how you can control your mind,your moods and depression.Trust me.I have BPD,I was worse,but I have read alot ,took some psychology classes and I have learnes to fight with the bad things in me .It is all in your hands .Don`t stay alone ,take fresh air as often as you can.
you can find me and others to talk to ,visiting my site
livewithborderline.com
(just put www in front)
a big hug!
 
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artqween

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I was recently diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and I'm a bit scared. What does it mean? What are the symptoms?
I've already been in CBT Group Therapy 3 times, and cannot afford DBT.
Please pray for me and help me understand this? :confused:

Hi Mm.. Aww :(.. Suggestion.. Sign up for disability.. That can help u with ur BPD issue with ur doctors note specifing u have BBD? If ur therapist gave u. Doctors note specifing u have BPD.. that too will help with ur DBT's
u can also add access program to those benefits as well. Possibly check out support groups at ur local hospital/clinic/ etc. with family suggestion? Does ur family know what u r going through?? If not.. Discuss this with them? Asap.. They can help. Hi btw
Always keep in mind u arent the only one going through this :). easter seals can also help as well? Plez consider??
I hope u feel better soon...
Know u r never alone in Gods world.
God help our friend with depression/..
help the healing to start now please??
 
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bhsmte

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You have nothing to be afraid of. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is not a typical mental illness the way Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia are. Personality disorders are all about learned behaviors. My Cognitive Behavioral Therapist used to tell me, "It's a deeply ingrained, maladaptive pattern of thinking, feeling and behaving." He taught me that I learned the pattern in order to cope with traumas and abuses I experienced all throughout my childhood. He kept helping me see what was wrong with my thinking. He's taught me coping skills, which helped me change my behavior.

I also had tons of help in changing my thinking and behavior from a friend who has discipled me in my faith. She taught me so much Scripture, and really showed me how to become a mature Christian woman, and a role model for my adult daughter.

My suggestion to you is to get into individual psychotherapy with a CBT therapist. I never had DBT. I am practically symptom free. I never had group therapy, except for alcoholism and an eating disorder.

I also suggest you find a mature Christian woman, and ask her to disciple you, and hold you accountable to your prayer and Bible reading.

Finally, get into regular church attendance and participate in a Bible study with other women. Learn to trust them with your prayer requests.

In order to learn more about BPD, Google "Borderline Personality Disorder DSM-IV criteria." There you can learn what symptoms you have that have led to the diagnosis.

While BPD is not caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, the way regular mental illnesses are, some BPD's need medication for co-occurring depression or anxiety. It's okay. It doesn't mean you are crazy. It helps control the symptoms.

Feel free to ask any questions.

Agree with much of what you said, but there is legitimate debate among psychology as to whether BPD is purely a "learned behavior" or whether genetic predisposition plays a role.

In my own experience (dealing with an ex spouse with BPD), I have talked to numerous psychologists and have done exhaustive reading from the most prominent BPD psychologists. Most agree, that BPD is likely triggered in childhood (over controlling parents, abuse, etc.), but many believe there may be a genetic cause that allows BPD to take hold. Clearly, all children who encounter the above, do not develop BPD, so there is another factor involved that very well may be genetic.

It is true that BPD typically is not from chemical imbalances in the same form as bi-polar and other mental disease states, but a person with BPD can develop changes in their brain activity that sometimes can benefit from pharma intervention. The fact that the disease is not chemically induced, can actually make it more difficult to treat, because the defense mechanisms that are deeply ingrained (that cause so much to those close to the BPD individual) are sometimes very challenging to address.

If one is willing to admit they need to seek help, that is the most important step and increases likelihood of measured recovery. In many cases though, folks who suffer from BPD, will not admit to needing help, or they will push away from their therapist when they feel threatened (are held accountable for their behavior).
 
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madison1101

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Agree with much of what you said, but there is legitimate debate among psychology as to whether BPD is purely a "learned behavior" or whether genetic predisposition plays a role.

In my own experience (dealing with an ex spouse with BPD), I have talked to numerous psychologists and have done exhaustive reading from the most prominent BPD psychologists. Most agree, that BPD is likely triggered in childhood (over controlling parents, abuse, etc.), but many believe there may be a genetic cause that allows BPD to take hold. Clearly, all children who encounter the above, do not develop BPD, so there is another factor involved that very well may be genetic.

It is true that BPD typically is not from chemical imbalances in the same form as bi-polar and other mental disease states, but a person with BPD can develop changes in their brain activity that sometimes can benefit from pharma intervention. The fact that the disease is not chemically induced, can actually make it more difficult to treat, because the defense mechanisms that are deeply ingrained (that cause so much to those close to the BPD individual) are sometimes very challenging to address.

If one is willing to admit they need to seek help, that is the most important step and increases likelihood of measured recovery. In many cases though, folks who suffer from BPD, will not admit to needing help, or they will push away from their therapist when they feel threatened (are held accountable for their behavior).


Well put. I was fortunate. I wanted help, and had a terrific psychotherapist who could not be manipulated, and could deal with the transference issues that kept coming up. Unfortunately, it took a very long time for me to experience real change, and that was triggered by the end of my marriage.

I worked with that therapist for 23 years, but also maintained a close discipleship relationship with my friend, Ruth. I shared everything with her, including what I was working on in therapy. She would give me Scriptures to add to my arsenal for healing and growth. I always let her know when I was scheduled for therapy, and she would bathe that time in prayer. She has been my prayer warrior, and role model.

I am aware of the thinking about genes playing into the development of BPD. Regardless, intense psychotherapy, in order to break through defense mechanisms and learned thinking and behaviors, is paramount. I also know that many patients being treated for BPD also need medication, for symptom management.
 
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bhsmte

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Well put. I was fortunate. I wanted help, and had a terrific psychotherapist who could not be manipulated, and could deal with the transference issues that kept coming up. Unfortunately, it took a very long time for me to experience real change, and that was triggered by the end of my marriage.

I worked with that therapist for 23 years, but also maintained a close discipleship relationship with my friend, Ruth. I shared everything with her, including what I was working on in therapy. She would give me Scriptures to add to my arsenal for healing and growth. I always let her know when I was scheduled for therapy, and she would bathe that time in prayer. She has been my prayer warrior, and role model.

I am aware of the thinking about genes playing into the development of BPD. Regardless, intense psychotherapy, in order to break through defense mechanisms and learned thinking and behaviors, is paramount. I also know that many patients being treated for BPD also need medication, for symptom management.

My heart goes out to you!

It required significant courage to go down your road and it appears you have been rewarded.
 
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marleyhill

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Hey Murmur... It's ok to be scared. Get on the web and start searching to help you understand. It's an illness like diabetes. Some need medication. Some can do it by just changing their behaviour. It might take a very long time but keep going. There may be times when you need a rest but look at it like a journey just like your Christian journey. Remember the Pilgrim's progress. I use this and Wikipedia: DBTSelfHelp.com. Good luck and try to get support from professional, friends, family, God and the net forums. You can do it. No one has all the answers but we do the best we can with what we have.
 
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