BPD and Navigating the Recovery Journey
This post was written by one of our volunteers, Lauren.
Living with borderline personality disorder (BPD) can be a complex and challenging journey, however, it’s crucial to understand that recovery can be achievable with the right support and treatment. We hope this article provides a little bit of hope for those looking for comfort and personal growth on their journey to recovery. Let’s take a look at BPD and highlight the positive possibilities that lie ahead.
Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex and challenging mental health condition that affects emotions, mood and how a person interacts with others. People with BPD can differ significantly from people without BPD in how they think, feel, perceive things and relate to others. It’s thought to affect around 2% of people in the UK.
The NHS identifies 4 main areas of symptoms associated with BPD:
- Emotional instability – BPD individuals may experience intense and rapidly changing emotions triggered by seemingly minor events, shifting between extreme feelings of happiness, anger or sadness within a short time.
- Disturbed patterns of thinking or perception – BPD may lead to cognitive distortions like black-and-white thinking, idealisation and devaluation of self and others, coupled with a profound fear of abandonment.
- Impulsive behaviour – BPD can manifest in various impulsive actions, including reckless spending, substance abuse, binge eating, self-harm, or engaging in unprotected sexual activities, often in response to overwhelming emotional distress.
- Intense but unstable relationships with others – Individuals with BPD experience rapid emotional changes and distorted thinking, leading to idealisation or devaluation. The fluctuations can result in turbulent relationship dynamics, moving between intense closeness and sudden distancing, often driven by fear of abandonment. This can strain relationships for someone with BPD.
BPD is highly stigmatised, mostly stemming from a lack of information or understanding. Reducing the misconceptions and myths is crucial for creating a more empathetic understanding of the disorder and reducing the stigma associated with it.
Common myths include:
- the belief that BPD is untreatable:
- it is treatable with the right support, medications and therapies.
- that individuals with BPD are manipulative or attention-seeking:
- they are not, they are just finding it difficult to communicate their needs.
- the misconception that they are inherently unstable or dangerous:
- people with BPD are no more dangerous than anyone else, despite what the media reports. In fact they are at much higher risk of harming themselves or dying by suicide.
Challenging these myths and misconceptions is essential for promoting compassionate conversations around mental health, and BPD in particular.
The importance of seeking treatment and tools for coping and self-care
Seeking professional treatment is an important step in the journey towards the management and recovery of BPD. Therapeutic methods include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and psychotherapy which offer tailored approaches to address the emotional and cognitive aspects of BPD. This can equip individuals with practical tools, enabling them to navigate intense emotions, enhance interpersonal skills and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
There are currently no medications available specifically for the treatment of BPD in the UK, however, medicines are often used to treat the symptoms of BPD. For example, medications such as anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medication, mood stabilisers or antipsychotics can be useful to help mood swings, alleviate symptoms of psychosis (hallucinations, delusions or paranoia) or reduce impulsive behaviour.
In addition to professional treatment, incorporating mindfulness and meditation practices can be beneficial for self-care for individuals with BPD. Mindfulness fosters present-moment awareness, aiding in emotional regulation and reducing impulsivity. Meditation provides a space for contemplation, thoughtfulness and tranquillity, promoting a sense of calm.
Furthermore, developing and sticking to healthy routines is an important aspect of self-care for those with BPD. Establishing consistent patterns in daily life, such as maintaining regular sleep schedules, incorporating balanced meals and allocating time for physical activity (if possible), creates stability.
These routines provide a structured framework that enhances both physical and mental health and well-being by serving as a stabilising force, offering a sense of control for those navigating the complexities of BPD.
Building a supportive network
For those fortunate enough to have family support, involving family members becomes a significant element in the journey of supporting someone with BPD. Family members can offer a support system, providing understanding, patience and empathy. Educating family members about BPD and coping strategies is essential. Your family could help with establishing and maintaining a structured routine, support you with any medication and appointments and engage in self-care activities with you. This support will foster a sense of predictability and reduce stress.
Beyond family, friends play crucial roles in the support network of someone with BPD. Having friends who are empathetic, patient and non-judgemental will be able to offer valuable emotional support.
Friends also offer opportunities for socialisation and engaging in activities that could bring joy and distraction.
Encouraging open communication within both your family and friendship group creates a safe space where you can express your feelings without fear or judgement. Encouraging the development of healthy social interactions is crucial in promoting overall mental health and well-being.
Peer support groups can also be useful for someone with BPD if they feel up to it. This can provide a sense of belonging where people can share their own lived experiences of BPD and their coping strategies, helping those with BPD to understand that they are not alone in what they are feeling and going through.
Mental health professionals play a key role in the support network of a person with BPD. These professionals can provide targeted interventions, equipping individuals with BPD with help managing symptoms and with developing effective coping mechanisms.
Each connection, whether familial or chosen, contributes to a positive support network that empowers individuals with BPD on their journey towards recovery.
Embracing progress and resilience
Acknowledging and celebrating personal growth is a fundamental part of BPD recovery. Every seemingly small step forward encourages a positive mindset. Your journey, marked by your diverse and unique set of challenges, will become a testament to your inner strength and resilience (it sounds cliché, but you are definitely stronger than you think).
Resilience is a powerful force in the recovery from BPD. The ability to bounce back when something has gone wrong or not as expected, to learn from experiences, and to adapt to challenges is an amazing quality. The development and embracing of resilience involves understanding that setbacks are not failures but opportunities for you to learn and grow. It really is a superpower that allows you to view challenges as stepping stones rather than barriers that you can never pass or overcome.
Redefining success in the context of BPD recovery goes beyond the typical standards. Success is about embracing the journey, recognising each step forward you make, no matter how big or small, is a real triumph. Doing this will encourage a compassionate self-appraisal, emphasising the value of the progress you will make on your journey to recovery and not just the recovery itself.
Final Note – Recovery is possible!
Living with borderline personality disorder does present unique challenges and difficulties, but it is important to recognise that recovery is within reach with the proper support. This journey involves understanding the disorder, seeking professional treatment, and building a supportive network around you.
The ability to embrace progress, emphasising personal growth, is a testament to your inner strength.
By dispelling myths and misconceptions, and through therapy, fostering self-care through mindfulness and healthy routines, and having a good support network, those with BPD can redefine success on their recovery journey.
Some useful links
Borderline Support UK CIC What is BPD?
Papyrus HOPELINEUK https://www.papyrus-uk.org/
Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org/
SHOUT https://giveusashout.org/
Harmless https://harmless.org.uk/
Mind Helpline https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/
Mind side by side https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/side-by-side-our-online-community/
