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Life expectancy

Downward_spiralCasual Contributor09 Nov 2021, 3:18 pm AEDT

Life expectancy

Hi everyone im new to the forum, as I felt I needed to reach out. Ive been struggling with BPD for many many years now but in the last year it has become sooo much worse. I am medicated, I've done years of therapy, DBT etc etc... but the other week I came across a few statistics that say people with BPD have a life expectancy of at best 48! This shocked me but at the same time I felt a fair bit of relief... but it now weighs on my mind almost every day, im 34 and feel there's not much point waiting around these last few yrs... has anyone else come across this or had this on their mind? I don't know how to move past it.

Thank you all sooo much!

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In response to: Life expectancy

Downward_spiralCasual Contributor09 Nov 2021, 7:52 pm AEDT

Re: Life expectancy

Thanks @Tinker67 that is so encouraging to know that some people can go onto have a forfilling life! Sounds like you have a lot of purpose and love 😊. Good luck with it all!

In response to: Re: Life expectancy

Tinker67Senior Contributor09 Nov 2021, 8:40 pm AEDT

Re: Life expectancy

Thank you @Downward_spiral , yes love is very important to me. Being loving and kind to others is something I value highly.

I thought I'd clarify for you, so there's no misunderstanding, that I have a lived experience of depression (mostly managed by lifestyle measures and medication these days), but am on the forum as a carer for my 17yo son who lives with schizophrenia and OCD.

However, my 2 adult step daughters both live with BPD. They are 34 an 35, I have been step mum for 20 years, so saw them through their mid teens and into adulthood. At times, they have both used illicit drugs to cope, and sometimes legal substances such as alcohol. There have been difficult times of crisis, and periods of calm where they have thrived. At the moment, our 34 yo is going well, she's started a business, and is enjoying life with her 2 children and partner. Our 35 yo is in a rough patch right now, using a lot of alcohol and marijuana, and feeling very angry at us. But 12 months ago she was thriving and enjoying being mum to her 3 children. So yes, recovery and thriving is possible, and relapses can happen, but don't last forever and a person can return to thriving. Wanting to receive support and wanting life to be better is important, and you are in the right place for support.

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