Hey @Helloiamaturtle ,
I didn't start therapy for BPD until my 30s. I think I was 33 or something. I have intensive MBT treatment in Victoria through Spectrum, a specialist BPD service, and now also for complex trauma.
I cannot even describe what MBT was, but it worked. It consisted of talking therapy, twice a week - both individual and group sessions. This went for about 18months. I came out a different person. This was my experience.
In my 20s, I don't think I was really ready for any change even though I said I wanted it. For me, my 20s was a blur of hospital admissions, blow ups, rage episodes, depression, anxiety, disordered eating etc... It was messy.
In Victoria, PARCs also played a huge part in my recovery. Not sure if you have any in your area.
Do you still have bpd?
I'll say yes, but I'm at a functional level where it doesn't affect me much anymore.
What were things you found helpful/not helpful?
Helpful?
- Have an Advance Statement done which stipulates what you want/don't want as part of your recovery.
- Regular admissions into PARCs (prevention and recovery centres)
- Have a Multidisciplinary team - psychosocial worker, case manager, psychiatrist, psychologist, GP, MBT Clinician, peer worker
- Long-term MBT treatment
- medication to help with my insomnia, anxiety and depression. It helped me to be 'ready' for talking therapy.
Not Helpful?
- I hated people telling me what to do. I wanted choice in my recovery.
- Certain psychiatrists that I didn't get along with
- Inpatient stays was not conducive to recovery - merely a circuit breaker.
Do most symptoms subside once you're past mid/late 30s (if you have passed that stage)?
I'm in my late 30s now and with therapy, the symptoms are close to non-existent. I feel I'm in the maintenance stage so I still keep in touch with a psychologist once every so often.
What advice would you give to younger people struggling with bpd?
You will learn HEAPS from it if you are ready to. BPD really changes your life, including in good ways. Run with what feels uncomfortable because this where the change happens. e.g. I hated talking to people when I was upset, but I made myself do it as a way of changing my regular thinking patterns and behaviours.
Recovery involves a LOT of HARD work on your part. No one can 'fix' you. YOU have to do it. It is NOT an easy journey but the result can be incredible.
Always remember, BPD it absolutely treatable.
What does your day to day life look like now?
My day starts early in the morning. I work, I help people, I advocate for those with disability, I work with families with children they are struggling with, I'm here on the forums 5 of the 7 days a week, I run group events, I participate in BPD Awareness week events etc.
My life is VERY full but VERY fulfilling. I still have areas to work on such as socialisation, but it doesn't stop me from living. I can improve in that area, but I'm not crippled if I need to socialise.
How do you advocate for others with bpd/similar struggles?
I normalise BPD. I want people to know that most people have BPD traits and the traits are pretty 'normal'. However, where it differs is that for people with BPD, it can really stop them from living.
End note? I wouldn't trade my BPD for anything. I have really learnt so much as a person and grown from it. I wouldn't have grown to where I am now if it weren't for my BPD.
