Topic Tuesday// BPD Awareness– Flipping the script with a special guest from Spectrum// Tues 6th October,7 pm-8:30pm AEDT

[JulianSpectrum]

@BPDSurvivor It's great you raised this. Often people can be quite anxious about the group side of things, or find it really challenging. Having said that, it can be such a great place of learning if you can stay with it.

[BlueBay]

@Former-Member @JulianSpectrum 
I've hid my BPD from others. Family parents friends don't know. They know about my depression, anxiety and childhood abuse. 

im embarrassed and ashamed and hate the words "borderline personality" 

my hubby and children know but not full details. I guess they see me when I'm not good. 

[Former-Member]

Hi there @Schitzo  👋  Welcome! Please feel free to jump in to tonight's discussion  

[Shaz51]

hello @Former-Member , @JulianSpectrum , very interesting and have been wondering how i can help a customer whoes daughter in law has BPD and it looks like her grandson who is aged 13 showing signs 

@Determined 

[JulianSpectrum]

@BlueBay It can feel like such a vulnerable thing to speak about, can't it? Hopefully we can all work to de-stigmatise borderline personality disorder, or find a different word for it, so that it feels like it can be spoken about without shame.

[Shaz51]

hello and hugs my sister @BlueBay 

[BPDSurvivor]

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@Former-Member wrote:

How do you explain to others about the challenges you face with your diagnosis?

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I hate using the DSM...makes me feel like a number ('just another borderline that fits the criteria')... although I have traits of BPD, my name is not Borderline.

Hence, when explaining to people my challenges, I simply tell them - "I'm human...just like you. My challenges may be different to yours, but we all have them!"

As far as I'm concerned, the DSM supported me to find targeted therapy....not to find family or friends 😉

[BlueBay]

Hugs @Shaz51  xx

[Maggie]

Well said @BPDSurvivor .

[JulianSpectrum]

@BPDSurvivor Yes, you are more than the sum of whatever diagnostic criteria someone has given you. I'm glad the process of diagnosis helped you to find treatment but has not defined you.