Newly diagnosed

Hi there @Louann ,

I'm a strong advocate for those with BPD. I was diagnosed about 20 years ago. I jumped from place to place trying to get support. It was a very very rough patch in my life. Relationships were unstable, I had angry outbursts of rage, I couldn't sleep, became depressed etc.

With BPD, research shows that it is not medication that 'cures' BPD, but psychotherapy. That is, talking therapy. The medication merely supports with the symptoms that come with difficulties in regulating emotions etc. For example, for me, medications helped to reduce my anxiety, helped with the depression and anxiety so that I could focus my attention on therapy.

I ended up engaging in a solid 18 months of Mentalisation-based therapy in a Personality Disorder Specialist clinic in Melb, Spectrum. It was a very rough 18 months with both individual and group therapy. I wasn't fully 'cured' by the end, but after discharge, the main work was done. What I has practiced in MBT treatment, I could then apply in the outside world. Upon reflection, I saw a massive difference.

Now, I feel like. new person. I am in such an amazing place right now. I never thought I'd make it to this place. I thought I wouldn't make it past my 25th birthday at the rate i was going!

Please know, BPD to absolutely treatable. Therapies include DBT, ACT, schema-therapy, narrative therapy, MBT and others. Ultimately, it's the talking therapies that will make the eventual difference. BPD is such a slow moving condition. Therapy needs to be over a longer period of time I reckon.

Feel free to visit

Raising Awareness of BPD - Flipping the Script

Topic Tuesday // BPD Awareness Week 2021 – Discover Creative Wellbeing // Tues 5th October, 7pm-8:30pm AEDT

@tyme

Thank you very much for your input and advice. I've been struggling since I was 15 and I'm 38 now.

I've been referred to spectrum or whatever its called in Melbourne but there is a wait list and I'm also waiting to get into DBT, once again again wait. I've been waiting to see a psychiatrist at the Melbourne clinic for 6 months but ended up on crisis last weekend so I've been supported by CAT this week and they are trying to get me into their HOPE program so I can keep being assessed for the month while meds change.

I'm hesitant about therapy as nothing has worked in the past

Spectrum is extremely difficult to get into. Unless you are currently case-managed, funding for spectrum doesn't go that far.

@Louann

I hope you get into HOPE. Another option through CATT is going into PARCS. That helped me a lot. It was a safe space where I didn't need to focus on the 'noise' of the world and just learn to slow down. It's like a respite service. It doesn't 'fix' BPD, but when you need a break from yourself, PARCS is certainly an option.

@tyme what is PARCS? This is all new to me so I don't know much so thank you for the information.

Do you manage to work?

I have 2 small children and I have been working 4 days a week and I think it all just got too much and I went into crisis. I've had last week off to get my head back to some sort of baseline and off this week for meditation adjustments which i am really nervous about.

I have been completely honest with my employer and they have been super supportive, paying me even though I have no leave left and the few friends that know have helped by taking 1 of my children for the day as I haven't been coping with my children and that's not fair on them. I feel truly grateful but also bad, guilty and teary. I have a cried a few times today. I'm not used to support and I struggle accept it

@Louann,

PARCs is a prevention and recovery centre. Back then, I did manage work. For some admissions, I believe it was COVID so I worked from PARCs online.

PARCS is not as intense as hospital. The doors aren't locked on you. You can go out and come in as needed.

It's an option, but it might be hard if you have two small children unless someone else can look after them while you are away for a 2 week stay. Currently, I believe there is only 1 PARCs for women where children CAN be accommodated while you are in there. It is recovery focused so you have goal setting when you go in, and you have a key clinician to support you.

HOPE is good for regular check-ins. They can call you after hours to see how you are going. If you get worse, they have the power to admit you to hospital. However, the goal is community care and support for up to 6 weeks I believe.

I'm glad to hear your workplace is so supportive.

@tyme Inpatient stay is not an option for me unless I'm forced. My illness is hidden from many,, especially my mother and my in laws and they don't believe in mental health. I got the whole get over it attitude and comments like woman wo ave depression or whatever illness shouldn't breed or should have their children removed as their unfit. So I just stay quiet and keep it mostly too myself.

I hope they can get me into HOPE as it would be really supportive for the next few weeks.

How do I get a case manager?

The CAT team generally review your case, and according to your needs, they may give you a case manager. A case manager's role is to facilitate the services you are connected with. So they are for more complex cases @Louann

For example, those who have schizophrenia and need long term care and a range of services might have a case manager.

@tyme thank you.

I'm hoping I get one as I'm really struggle to get mybhead back together. I'm usually high functioning but not at the moment. Mood is bouncing all over the place.

I took my meds this morning as I've been told to change to mane and its day 2 of reduction and I vomited and then cried because I'm scared and don't want to feel this way.

I managed to go grocery shopping buy I was like on auto pilot.

Feeling a bit better this afternoon. Kids are chill and we are doing some crafts so I guess that kinda counts of mindfulness