Let's start with a simplified explanation of the main issues affecting people with BPD.
For me, one of the main struggles is the black & white thinking. My mom accuses me of using the words hate & love too much but that's actually how I feel. It's either the best day or the worst day. I am either bored or stressed, there is no in between.
To be diagnosed with BPD, you have to have at least 5 of the 9 symptoms recognized by the DSM-V. These 9 symptoms fit into 4 main domains.
So some people with BPD may not any issues with paranoia at all or unstable relationships. Personally I have a big issue with impulse control that online shopping is really not helping. Whoever said money can't buy happiness was wrong. Buying things definitely makes me happy. Not lasting contentment but happiness for sure.
The conventional treatments for BPD include a mixture of talk therapy and medication. There are 3 primary styles of therapy recommended for BPD.
I used Psychology Today to find my current therapist because there are a lot of metrics you can customize. It's like eugenics for therapy. I particularly loved being able to select the gender and faith. I have encountered several people in the church who are skeptical of therapy but the messiah and mental health are not mutually exclusive.
Along with eschewing therapy, a lot of people also shun medical interventions for mental health issues. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. Positive thinking and essential oils aren't going to help the chemical imbalance in my brain. You know what they call alternative medicine that works? Medicine.
One big issue in the field of antidepressants is the addictiveness of "benzos" - benzodiazepines.
There are 5 main classes of antidepressants commonly used in America today.
It can take a lot of trial and error to find the right prescription for you. It's hard to be patient with the process of being a patient, but it is really worth it in the end. From personal experience, Lexapro made me gain hella weight, I have loved Celexa and am currently transitioning to Zoloft which is supposed to decrease social anxiety. I don't really have an issue with social anxiety so in the event that this makes me have even less of a filter my mother will not be pleased. If she thinks I talk about my period too much in public now, she has no idea what's coming.
And that concludes Mental Health 101 with Dr. Unqualified. I doubt this will be helpful for people struggling with mental health issues themselves, but it may make BPD/therapy/antidepressants more understandable for their friends and families.
Also I made a mascot.
Key Insights
- if the emotions don't fit the situation, they are about something else
- what we see as the problem is often just a symptom of the problem (Iceberg Principle)
- physical health and mental health like...vibe off each other
- don't beat yourself up, focus on doing the best you can with what you have
- advocate for yourself, YOU are the only person who knows how medication is affecting you
Most importantly, if you need help don't be afraid to ask. If you are in school talk to a counselor about the resources available. If you have a job, find out what your insurance policy covers. Look online for free chat rooms, therapists who do online/phone sessions or other opportunities.
And never be afraid to ask for help.
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