1. < Mental Health

Borderline Personality Disorder, OCD, Major Depression and Anxiety

Posted by Meena @meena, Sep 9, 2011

I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder over ten years ago. Also struggling with OCD, Major Depression, and severe anxiety. I’ve taken DBT courses but can’t seem to use the coping mechanisms when I should.
Can anyone relate?

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Parus | @parus | Dec 5, 2018
In reply to @pjss48 "I watch tv, pay bills, try to replace negative thoughts with positive, Help my husband. Walk..." + (show)
@pjss48

I watch tv, pay bills, try to replace negative thoughts with positive, Help my husband. Walk in good weather, play the piano

Jump to this post

@pjss48 Playing music can be helpful. What kind of music do you enjoy playing? Keeping our thoughts positive is a retraining of the mind. I do oft find my thoughts running amuck. It is uncomfortable when they do so. Is your husband supportive in keeping your thought positive?

REPLY
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Dec 10, 2018
In reply to @oprah "Yes, I have BDP along with intermittent explosive disorder (IED), bipolar, ADD, and depression. I know..." + (show)
@oprah

Yes, I have BDP along with
intermittent explosive disorder (IED), bipolar, ADD, and depression. I know that sounds like a lot. The IED is perhaps the worst. I was emotionally abused throughout my life until I went to college, but the damage was done. I have had a successful life though. I made it through college with a BS and MSA (taking some classes as many as 3 times), retiring as a US Army lieutenant colonel (100% disabled after 20 years). I truly believed God guided me to the Army, as I had no idea of anything military. Truly, I have been blessed to have had enough success to ensure a comfortable life with good medical care.

However, people are a totally different thing. I cannot get along with most folks for very long. I make friends easily and then the "other" me explodes. I have worked hard and with great tenacity. I guess I always knew I would have to support myself. It is very lonely now, especially since I can no longer travel or participate in team sports. My FAITH and sports were my life savers. They allowed me to be part of something greater than just me as an individual, took away total isolation, etc.

I am now putting an application together to donate my brain to the University of Miami brain donation research center. I would love to see the docs do the research and see what has been going in there on all these years. Hopefully it will help them to help people like us!

The best advise I can give is to get a therapist specializing in BPD, a neurologist, and to get involved in groups. FAITH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL!

This has been a most difficult journey. I wish anyone who is resistant to treatments the very best. DO NOT GIVE UP, continuously look for ways to diversify your daily activities.

All the best,
Jamie (my dogs' name was Oprah)

Jump to this post

@oprah – that is neat you picked a username after your pet. You mentioned that with your diagnoses of BDP along with
intermittent explosive disorder (IED), bipolar, ADD, and depression that getting involved with groups has been important. Are you speaking of therapy groups, or another kind of group?

REPLY
1 reply
healthytoday | @healthytoday | Dec 11, 2018
In reply to @oprah "Yes, I have BDP along with intermittent explosive disorder (IED), bipolar, ADD, and depression. I know..." + (show)
@oprah

Yes, I have BDP along with
intermittent explosive disorder (IED), bipolar, ADD, and depression. I know that sounds like a lot. The IED is perhaps the worst. I was emotionally abused throughout my life until I went to college, but the damage was done. I have had a successful life though. I made it through college with a BS and MSA (taking some classes as many as 3 times), retiring as a US Army lieutenant colonel (100% disabled after 20 years). I truly believed God guided me to the Army, as I had no idea of anything military. Truly, I have been blessed to have had enough success to ensure a comfortable life with good medical care.

However, people are a totally different thing. I cannot get along with most folks for very long. I make friends easily and then the "other" me explodes. I have worked hard and with great tenacity. I guess I always knew I would have to support myself. It is very lonely now, especially since I can no longer travel or participate in team sports. My FAITH and sports were my life savers. They allowed me to be part of something greater than just me as an individual, took away total isolation, etc.

I am now putting an application together to donate my brain to the University of Miami brain donation research center. I would love to see the docs do the research and see what has been going in there on all these years. Hopefully it will help them to help people like us!

The best advise I can give is to get a therapist specializing in BPD, a neurologist, and to get involved in groups. FAITH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL!

This has been a most difficult journey. I wish anyone who is resistant to treatments the very best. DO NOT GIVE UP, continuously look for ways to diversify your daily activities.

All the best,
Jamie (my dogs' name was Oprah)

Jump to this post

With ADHD and bi=polar, I socially function best in structured activities, ie, book clubs, church service, social dinner. When it's socially open ended, I get confused. Also, I do best when I can add some movement to social gatherings, ie, a social dinner, I'll volunteer to help with clean up, serving etc. Something to focus on in movement. We just need to learn how to function and follow our inner wisdom. And of course, a spiritual practice helps! Yes, our darker edges can really jump in and cause problems, when I see it coming, I hope I remember to say, "thank you for sharing". And, "your not driving, the sane me is at the wheel.."

REPLY
healthytoday | @healthytoday | Dec 11, 2018

Cognitive behavioral therapy?

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1 reply
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Dec 11, 2018
In reply to @healthytoday "Cognitive behavioral therapy?" + (show)
@healthytoday

Cognitive behavioral therapy?

Jump to this post

Hi, @healthytoday. What you talked about with ADHD and socially structured vs. socially open-ended activities really reminded me of @mamacita. So, I wanted to invite her into this discussion. I'd also like to invite @gingerw and @gailb.

You mentioned cognitive behavioral therapy, @healthytoday. Have you had this type of treatment before? If so, was it helpful?

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1 reply
pjss48 | @pjss48 | Dec 11, 2018

I've had it and it really helped me. I had a great counselor

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Oprah | @oprah | Dec 11, 2018

My best group experience was with a psychologist. She was exceptional, something not easy to find. I saw her in private sessions also. I also attended some depression groups which just made me more depressed. I think group therapy with a professional leader is a significant treatment. You not only get professional help but also much needed support from the group.

Bet,,
Oprah's Mom

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1 reply
healthytoday | @healthytoday | Dec 11, 2018
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @healthytoday. What you talked about with ADHD and socially structured vs. socially open-ended activities really..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @healthytoday. What you talked about with ADHD and socially structured vs. socially open-ended activities really reminded me of @mamacita. So, I wanted to invite her into this discussion. I'd also like to invite @gingerw and @gailb.

You mentioned cognitive behavioral therapy, @healthytoday. Have you had this type of treatment before? If so, was it helpful?

Jump to this post

Okay re invitation. No, haven't had cognitive behavioral therapy, but did have a book on it and read it. Has very straight forward techniques. You can read about it online.

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healthytoday | @healthytoday | Dec 11, 2018
In reply to @oprah "My best group experience was with a psychologist. She was exceptional, something not easy to find...." + (show)
@oprah

My best group experience was with a psychologist. She was exceptional, something not easy to find. I saw her in private sessions also. I also attended some depression groups which just made me more depressed. I think group therapy with a professional leader is a significant treatment. You not only get professional help but also much needed support from the group.

Bet,,
Oprah's Mom

Jump to this post

Someone once called group therapy, leading from your weaknesses and not your strengths. Another words, your depressed, but cooking with fresh fruit really interests you, take a class in that. Follow the positive interest. ; )

REPLY
healthytoday | @healthytoday | Dec 11, 2018
In reply to @lisalucier "@oprah - that is neat you picked a username after your pet. You mentioned that with..." + (show)
@lisalucier

@oprah – that is neat you picked a username after your pet. You mentioned that with your diagnoses of BDP along with
intermittent explosive disorder (IED), bipolar, ADD, and depression that getting involved with groups has been important. Are you speaking of therapy groups, or another kind of group?

Jump to this post

As I age, I don't know if all these names of disorders are all that helpful…how about, I do things like this and like that and it causes this issue or that issue. I'm too right brain. By the way, someone once said the right brain is the one that gives us the most trouble emotionally. (?) Other day I was laying in bed with a big cold and bad mood. My emotions and negative self talk just wouldn't shut up. At that point I wondered if I did some very left brain activity, how it would affect me. So, I looked up some youtubes and was directed (I believe by the divine), to a children's education channel on Chemistry and the Periodic Table, designed for about the third grade level. Tuned in, followed the simple logic of hydrogen, helium, 1,2 etc. and after alittle bit my self talk was quiet and I focused on the simple left brain progression. It was very cool especially since I almost flunked high school Chemistry. I'm a retired teacher and artist by trade and left brain is a place I seldom visit. But, this seemed to work. So try it on sometime….who knows….; ).

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