Raising Awareness of BPD - Flipping the Script

Welcome @Former-Member !

Here, you'll perhaps find some like-minded people, who have probably been through experiences similar to yours.

I was diagnosed with BPD in my late teens. I felt it stole away my early adulthood. I was angry, depressed, withdrawn and disconnected.

With the diagnosis, I was pretty much pushed aside. I remember asking, "So what now?" The hospital pretty much told me to go find help myself. I continued to spiral down from bad to worse. I hated who I was and what I had become. In running away from myself (which I found out isn't possible), I moved interstate. I thought, new place, new face, new start. Soooo... started out pretty okay... but 6 months later, the horrible person I was, surfaced.

After about 8 years of torture, I sought help. I felt it was my last chance. Moving forward, i was accepted into Spectrum's MBT (Mentalisation Behaviour Therapy) program.

All I can say is....WOW. Today, I can't believe how much I have changed. During the MBT program, I didn't think anything was happening, but in retrospect, I can truly say it's given me life. Besides the program itself, I have to say that I had to put in HARD HARD work myself. It wasn't easy whatsoever. Many tears, many triggers, many emotions....but it was worth it.

Now, I work to advocate for those with BPD, and also share that BPD is NOT a life sentence. As I've said many times before, my BPD has made me the person I am today - a more compassionate, understanding, caring person.

Hold on @Former-Member and everyone else. The journey is worth it 🙂 I vouch for it!

Information out there is full of the 'negatives' of BPD and how it 'affects' you. It is so medicalised that it often omits recovery and testimonies of those who have recovered.

I encourage all to share any experiences, questions, comments, ideas surrounding BPD. We are all learning. Together, we can make changes to how much BPD is stigmatised.

BPDSurvivor

@BlueBay @Andrab @Judi9877 @WIP @Nells @Shaz51 @Aniela @JJ4 @vashi @BPDrose @Luca33 @Sarah_850 @Olliesmum @asdfge @SunflowerMe @magical_journey @Tbo @sarvan @Snoopy56 @Ellan @sanity41 @Laylah @Flossy92 @Bow @BPDSurvivor @Jacaranda84 @LouisianaM @Andrab @Theodora @Et68 @26aqua @LostAngel @Healing_Journey @TG1108 @BPDCarer1 @DJ228 @Name84 @TomRiddle32 @Dec @PAX1741 @Netty78 @PlantLover @Hannahbanana98 @Kaitlynjade97 @LearningWaters@Janis_J @Hombre @Meggle @TideisTurning @Daisydreamer@Daisydreamer

Hello @BPDSurvivor

I had a flick through the

Hello @Former-Member ,

I can hear how challenging it is for you at the moment. I want you to know that you ARE worth it and you DO deserve to live a satisfying life.

What supports do you currently have? Having supports is so important for BPD recovery. Honestly speaking, during the beginning of my recovery, my supports were purely therapists, and drs. I felt I needed to 'pull away' from others so I could concentrate fully on my recovery (This was my experience - it is not like that for everybody).

Now, my main supports include family members esp my nieces and nephews.

Find what works for you. Hold on @Former-Member .

I encourage you to stay in touch.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

BPDSurvivor

Hello Everyone!

It's been a while since I last posted on this thread. Nevertheless, you are all always in my thoughts.

For those who are not aware, BPD Awareness Week is coming up soon - 1st to 7th October 2021. What an exciting time to celebrate the journey of those living with BPD, as well as those caring for people with BPD!

The national focus this year is "Discover Creative Wellbeing". What does this mean to you?

Here is a link find out a little more about it https://bpdfoundation.org.au/2021-discover-creative-wellbeing.php and if you are interested, contribute your artwork or story.

BPDSurvivor

@BlueBay @Andrab @Judi9877 @WIP @Nells @Shaz51 @Aniela @JJ4 @vashi @BPDrose @Luca33 @Sarah_850 @Olliesmum @asdfge @SunflowerMe @magical_journey @Tbo @sarvan @Snoopy56 @Ellan @sanity41 @Laylah @Flossy92 @Bow @BPDSurvivor @Jacaranda84 @LouisianaM @Andrab @Theodora @Et68 @26aqua @LostAngel @Healing_Journey @TG1108 @BPDCarer1 @DJ228 @Name84 @TomRiddle32 @Dec @PAX1741 @Netty78 @PlantLover @Hannahbanana98 @Kaitlynjade97 @LearningWaters@Janis_J @Hombre @Meggle @TideisTurning @Daisydreamer@cloudcore

Another important thing forum-friends,

As we approach BPD Awareness Week 2021:

- Do you have any questions you'd like to ask about BPD?

- Are you seeking clarifications about anything to do with BPD?

- Do you have any stories you'd like to share?

- Do you have any challenges you'd like to share?

- What has helped you in your BPD journey?

- What message do you have for people out there who misunderstand people with BPD?

Together, we can bring awareness to this highly stigmatised mental health condition.

Together, we can flip the script.

Together, we can learn and celebrate.

Together, we can journey on.

Together, we can be survivours.

BPDSurvivor

@BlueBay @Andrab @Judi9877 @WIP @Nells @Shaz51 @Aniela @JJ4 @vashi @BPDrose @Luca33 @Sarah_850 @Olliesmum @asdfge @SunflowerMe @magical_journey @Tbo @sarvan @Snoopy56 @Ellan @sanity41 @Laylah @Flossy92 @Bow @BPDSurvivor @Jacaranda84 @LouisianaM @Andrab @Theodora @Et68 @26aqua @LostAngel @Healing_Journey @TG1108 @BPDCarer1 @DJ228 @Name84 @TomRiddle32 @Dec @PAX1741 @Netty78 @PlantLover @Hannahbanana98 @Kaitlynjade97 @LearningWaters@Janis_J @Hombre @Meggle @TideisTurning @Daisydreamer@cloudcore

Hi Everyone!

HAPPY BPD AWARENESS WEEK 2021!

For those who are interested, here's a link to a BPD event - art therapy on Saturday 2nd Oct 2021 via Zoom. All are welcome!

Here's the link to register:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/open-art-session-circle-of-support-and-strength-bpd-awareness-week-tickets-174542149267

For other events and resources, head to:

https://mailchi.mp/ce19e504bf70/bpd-awareness-week-2021

BPDSurvivor

@BlueBay @Andrab @Judi9877 @WIP @Nells @Shaz51 @Aniela @JJ4 @vashi @BPDrose @Luca33 @Sarah_850 @Olliesmum @asdfge @SunflowerMe @magical_journey @Tbo @sarvan @Snoopy56 @Ellan @sanity41 @Laylah @Flossy92 @Bow @BPDSurvivor @Jacaranda84 @LouisianaM @Andrab @Theodora @Et68 @26aqua @LostAngel @Healing_Journey @TG1108 @BPDCarer1 @DJ228 @Name84 @TomRiddle32 @Dec @PAX1741 @Netty78 @PlantLover @Hannahbanana98 @Kaitlynjade97 @LearningWaters@Janis_J @Hombre @Meggle @TideisTurning @Daisydreamer@cloudcore @Former-Member @Zoe7 @HenryX @ShiningStar @MDT @outlander @Determined @Appleblossom @Clawde @Sam3

@Faith-and-Hope @LostAngel @Former-Member @Emelia8 @TAB

Thanks so much @BPDSurvivor ..... things are a bit too full on over here for me to attend, but I really appreciate the sharing and the link ❣️

No worries @Faith-and-Hope ! At least you know what is available 🙂

BPDSurvivor

Good evening @BPDSurvivor and all forumites here! It's so great to be able to come back in this discussion thread after being away sick with mental health issues for 5 weeks. That was due to psychosis but surprisingly, in the mix of being in hospital for meds changes and a follow up PARCS admission, I was able to learn so much about my BPD it wasn't funny!
Things like triggers and emotional regulation skills and warning signs were things I learnt a lot about and was able to put my new skills to the test on several occasions which was great and one which I succeeded at in many ways. I have my psychologist to thank for getting me admitted to PARCS after an event happened to me on the hospital ward that they weren't happy about me coming straight home from hospital and I'm so very grateful for them arranging this!

As for the start of BPD Awareness Week and the topic of Creative Wellbeing, I'd like to share what I'm in the process of doing to help myself and my BPD. Whilst in hospital, I started knitting what was meant to be a baby blanket for charity but I later decided that this blanket and the journey is too special to give away so I decided to turn it into my Mental Health Recovery Blanket as I started it when I wasn't well in hospital when I got admitted. On the first 2 days, I was limited to 2 hours per day of knitting in my bedroom so I made the most of those precious 2 hours to knit to my hearts content. Knitting made me feel calm and relaxed and allowed me to have some control over my life which was somewhat restricted on the ward. Eventually my psychologist spoke to a nurse of mine and I was allowed unlimited time for my knitting but I still treasured that knitting time. I'll post a photo of it when I get it finished.

I also had a BPD incident when I had a bad phone call from a telephone company on an afternoon at PARCS. I decided to start knitting a beanie to help me deal with my BPD emotions and I'm so glad I did because knitting that beanie allowed me to change a bad habit of mine around into something creative as well as being productive as well. I've now added a set of 4.5mm knitting needles and some yarn to my coping toolbox of strategies for my BPD just in case I experience something like that again and I can deal with the emotional consequences in a safe and creative way.

I hope sharing my creative wellbeing helps in some small way. I look forward to reading what other forumite friends do for their creative wellbeing!

Take care forumites!

Judi9877🥰🧶💐

Thank you so much for sharing @Judi9877 ! What an incredible way to detail your journey - in a blanket!

I attended this year's Spectrum conference today. Rita Brown, president of The Australian BPD Foundation, spoke about creative therapies in BPD recovery. Your work definitely falls into creative therapy @Judi9877 !

Pets and 'trampolining' were also highlighted and seen as therapy beyond the conventional. But what I found most interesting, and resonated with me most, was the idea that peer support/helping others was also seen as 'therapy'. I have found this element most helpful in my BPD recovery journey.

Also, I'd like to mention how glad I am you could stay in PARCs. PARCs have played a HUGE part in my recovery. In PARCs, I felt I could be myself. I was heard and listened to without judgment. It taught me to reach out. It taught be to speak of my experiences openly. Prior to PARCs admission, I was too afraid to speak openly about my struggles with BPD. In total, I've had 5 admissions into PARC over the course of my recovery. Each time was better than the last and I really had time out to work on my recovery goals.

Today, I read a statement to the Royal Commission, advocating for pwBPD. A highlight in that was the use of services such as PARCs and PAPU (over inpatient psychiatric units) to support those with BPD.

I've got so much to share and celebrate as part of BPD Awareness Week.

Once again, I'm so glad to see you back and on board! Happy BPD Awareness Week!

BPDSurvivor

@BlueBay @Andrab @Judi9877 @WIP @Nells @Shaz51 @Aniela @JJ4 @vashi @BPDrose @Luca33 @Sarah_850 @Olliesmum @asdfge @SunflowerMe @magical_journey @Tbo @sarvan @Snoopy56 @Ellan @sanity41 @Laylah @Flossy92 @Bow @BPDSurvivor @Jacaranda84 @LouisianaM @Andrab @Theodora @Et68 @26aqua @LostAngel @Healing_Journey @TG1108 @BPDCarer1 @DJ228 @Name84 @TomRiddle32 @Dec @PAX1741 @Netty78 @PlantLover @Hannahbanana98 @Kaitlynjade97 @LearningWaters@Janis_J @Hombre @Meggle @TideisTurning @Daisydreamer@cloudcore @Evanthia @Zoe7 @HenryX @ShiningStar @The-Hams @outlander @Determined @Appleblossom @Clawde @Sam3

@Faith-and-Hope @LostAngel @Sphinxly @Emelia8 @TAB