When life throws you curveballs, it’s hard to know how to react. Some people deal with challenging circumstances in a healthy way, but others struggle. Living with borderline personality disorder can be difficult, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. If you have been diagnosed with BPD, there are ways for you to manage your symptoms and lead a happy, fulfilling life.
Don’t isolate yourself from others. While you may feel ashamed of your diagnosis, know that it’s not your fault. Borderline conditions are biological, and many people with BPD also deal with internalized stigma, which can make it even more challenging to reach out for help. Some people try to deal with their BPD alone, hoping that no one will find out about their diagnosis. But this is not the best strategy.
If you have BPD and want to stay connected to your support network, here are some ideas:
–Find a therapist who is qualified to treat BPD. Having someone to talk to in a judgment-free environment can help you process your emotions and find ways to manage your symptoms.
-Find a therapist who is trained to work with BPD, especially if you have a history of self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
–Join an online BPD support group. Many people find these helpful as an alternative to in-person groups, because they can find privacy and anonymity online that they may not have in real life.
–Get involved in your local BPD community. Find BPD meetups and events near you, or start one yourself. You can make lifelong friends this way.
Borderline personality disorder can make it difficult to care for yourself. As a person with BPD, you might feel like you’re a walking disaster or that you’re not worth the effort. You might not be able to see how beautiful or special you are.
If you struggle with self-care, here are some ideas:
-Find ways to take care of yourself. This can be as simple as cuddling up with a book in your pajamas, taking a bubble bath, or snacking on something you love.
–Write your feelings down. Sometimes the best way to express yourself is through writing. If you’re feeling stuck in terms of self-care, try writing about your feelings.
–Find a creative outlet. Whether you like painting, knitting, or rock climbing, creative activities can be a great way to unwind.
–Practice mindfulness. You can practice mindfulness in any way that feels good to you.
–Find a therapist or join a therapy or support group. Ideally, this is someone who has experience working with people who have BPD.
You may have heard that people with BPD are “bad at setting boundaries.” While this may be true in some cases, it’s not a rule that applies to everyone. Having borderline personality disorder doesn’t mean that you don’t know how to set boundaries. It just means that you may have a harder time setting them.
If you’re having trouble setting boundaries, use these tips to help you get started:
-Identify your values. What are the things that are most important to you? This can be anything from being a good friend to being kind to yourself.
-Know what you’re not willing to put up with. This can be anything from being taken for granted to being disrespected.
–Remember that you don’t have to be superhuman. You don’t have to put your own needs on the back burner to take care of everyone around you.
It’s important to remember that you don’t deserve to feel shame or guilt for having BPD. As mentioned above, your BPD is not your fault, and it’s common in people who have BPD to feel guilt and shame when they struggle.
If you feel shame or guilt because of your BPD, try these tips to help you overcome these negative emotions:
–Find a therapist who is trained to work with people who have BPD.
–Join an online BPD support group. Many people find these helpful as an alternative to in-person groups, because they can find privacy and anonymity online that they may not have in real life.
–Try journaling. Journaling can be a great way to process your emotions.
–Read about BPD. You can also write about your experiences, feelings, and coping mechanisms in a journal.
–Be kind to yourself. When practicing self-care, remember to be kind to yourself. You don’t deserve to be hard on yourself for having BPD. You’re doing the best you can.
It can be hard to take care of yourself if you suffer from BPD. You might feel like you’re falling apart inside or that you’re not worth the effort. Borderline personality disorder can cause feelings of shame and guilt, which can make it difficult to take care of yourself.
Some simple ways to take care of your physical health if you have BPD include:
–Get enough sleep. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep a night.
–Eat a healthy diet. Eating a balanced diet can help you stay healthy.
–Exercise. Try to get 30 minutes of exercise three times a week.
–Limit your caffeine intake. Too much caffeine can make you feel jittery and anxious.
–Find a support network. Having people who are there for you when you need them can help you feel less alone.
Interacting with people who understand you can help you feel less alone. You can also keep yourself busy with fun activities. If you have borderline personality disorder, you might find it hard to go out and do things. You might feel like you’re a burden on your friends and that you’re bringing them down by being around them. But this isn’t true. You’re no more of a burden to your friends than they are to you. You can have fun and hang out with friends.
If you have BPD, here are some ways to do that:
-Join an extracurricular activity. Being a part of a group can be a great way to meet new people.
-Try new things. Try out a new class at your local community centre or get involved in a new club at your school.
-Go on a date with yourself. Yes, you read that right. No one is ever too busy to spend time with themselves.
Living with BPD can be challenging, but you can manage your symptoms and lead a fulfilling life. Many people who have BPD struggle with shame and guilt. They may feel like they’re a burden to others or that they don’t deserve to be happy. Don’t let these feelings get the best of you. You’re an incredible person, and you deserve to be happy. Anyone can develop BPD. It’s not something that you purposefully choose, and it can happen at any point in your life. If you’re struggling with BPD, know that you’re not alone. There are many people who understand what you’re going through.
There are ways to manage your symptoms and lead a happy, healthy life.