Difficulty controlling emotion/being triggered with BPD

Hi @Bunniekins. Are we able to discuss here the name of the magic pill so I could discuss this with my doctor? Thanks for the input and advice.

Hey there @Battlemouse71 unfortunately due to our guideline around safety, we can't discuss any medication on the forums. Thank you heaps for asking though, much appreciated. You can read more about the guidelines here 🙂

Hi @Ali11 and thanks for your input. I will bring up with my psychologist on my next appointment on ways to deal with being triggered.

Hi @Battlemouse71

I've just stumbled on this thread and realised I was tagged in it. Notifications weren't working earlier this week so I missed them.

I don't see your behaviour as bad. The emotional dysregulation you are experiencing is from your childhood. It is the result of not getting your needs met, and possibly poor socialising skills. So as an adult, you are responding to a trigger the only way you know how. The problem is that the way you are now responding as an adult doesn't work.

And then when you dissociate, you mind shuts down as it doesn't want to deal with a crisis. It's protecting you from what might be a potential threat.

It might be useful to work with your Pyschologist to identify your triggers, and how to manage them before they get out of hand. @outlander

suggestion of the STOP method is what helps me a lot. If I can step back from the situation, name my trigger and how I can respond in a better way, then I remain calm and in control most of the time. Also understanding your emotions, naming and observing them without judgement (with wise mind) goes a long way in gaming control as well. Being able to say 'I'm feeling (emotion) because of (trigger) is very empowering and useful. These all take time.

Feel free to tag me anytime. I'm happy to chat about anything. All the best

Does your boyfriend understand BPD? There are many books available to help him, and lots of resources on the Australian BPD Foundation website.

Thank you @Sans911. My girlfriend does understand BPD. If I am triggered I try to get her to say to me "Do you need to say how you feel?"... which really works... if she isn't already triggered as well by my behaviour. Some of the time I am able to say to myself "I feel (emotion)" and that more often than not detriggers me. It is those times when I seem to go from being ok to massively triggered in a split second and I don't have time to detrigger. I will talk about what you have said with my psychologist at the next appointment. Thank you for your advice.

You're welcome @Battlemouse71

Sorry for saying you had a boyfriend when it was girlfriend. Sounds like she is very supportive. You are fortunate to have each other.

I too have those times where no dbt skill works because I'm triggered too quickly and I react without stopping to think about it. I'm still working on it, but it is getting better.

Hi @Sans911 @Battlemouse71 @outlander and others following

at the moment I’m struggling with controlling my emotions. It’s rhe hardest thing to deal with.

Very intense emotions and behaviour that lasts for days.