I was diagnosed with bpd about 8 years ago. I'm a totally different person now and to be honest I don't know if I'd even be considered to have bpd anymore. I still get mood fluctuations and some other stuff but my coping mechanisms and ways of managing things have totally changed. Not gonna lie its hard work but I believe it's totally doable.
For example in the past I was quite quick to react to things whereas now I never immediately react on my emotions. I find usually if I give myself a day or so to consider the situation my outlook on it becomes totally different.
I've quoted something I said in another thread that I think will also be beneficial to you. Hope it helps.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ytak
Just wanted to say that yes it is possible to stop being plagued by BPD behaviours. I myself have been free of then for just over a year. Although they do occasionally pop up from time to time.
The problem is that it can and will be hard to fight the behaviour but it can be done.
I think depending upon how long you've had the diagnosis,
the symptoms,
how severe the symptoms are,
ie; if you're low or high or bit of both functioning,
and if you have any other disorders/illnesses alongside BPD,
and if they clash/make it worse,
it can be subjective to those factors.
I don't think things are fully concrete,
things can change, for both the better and the worse,
but I also think if you don't do anything about BPD,
like engaging in therapy/taking medication/etc
then there will be little chance of your symptoms getting any better.
Professionals have told me I need very intensive long term intervention including things like therapy and medication,
possible specialist long term hospitalization
[funding issues can be a problem though like it is for myself right now]
but these things can be incredibly useful and helpful for BPD symptoms,
so I think it's the same for others,
therapy and meds and specialist help can really help,
but only if you're determined to work at it and commit to it.
It is incredibly difficult to do that though,
but it is possible for your symptoms to get better and for you to not struggle and suffer as much as you are now,
but it takes massive and major commitment, determination, and such.
I'm pretty sure I was diagnosed with BPD a couple of years ago (I wasn't told) and only really found out properly when I switched Psychs at the start of uni.
I used to be on lots of meds for it but have been un-medicated since last easter I believe, so like over a year.
I don't get alot of the symptoms I used to get and have been over a year and a half free from self harm etc.
I do still get mood swings but not nearly as bad as I used to... In fact I had thought that I was getting depressed again until reading some of my rants and stuff. But overall quite manageable. My mood seems to be more down this time of year which I guess is because it's dark and cold and ew.
Overall I think that compared to how I used to be, I'm so much better now. As I say, I do get mood drops but not ones that are anything serious (literally feeling a bit sh*t then being fine again) and nothing that I can't deal with by myself or by talking to mates or something.
It might not be something you ever get better from or whatever they say, but you learn to cope with it, then you get to a point where you don't even need to cope with it all that much because it's either automatic, or it just doesn't effect you as badly as it used to or whatever.
Hope that kinda helped... Not sure where I was going with that!
The world is just illusion always trying to change me.
You will find wonder wherever you can, and spread joy whenever you are able.
I felt emotions of gentleness and pleasure, that had long appeared dead, divide within me. - Frankenstein.
I was diagnosed a couple years ago with BPD. originally I scored at the top of the scale. every symptom and quite a way up the scale for each one. ive been on meds ever since, tried counselling but it didn't work out. ive not been allowed any other therapies yet as my psych says im still not ready or stable enough. however, I am gradually learning to manage the symptoms. not eradicate them, but manage them. it takes commitment like someone else said and a 'want' to get better. unfortunately BPD itself is quite a self fulfilling prophecy. it sucks you in to a bit of woe is my syndrome. I say this as someone who has been there. not criticising. despite taking a year out of work when things were at there most volatile ive continued to hold down full time work and believe this has been a key factor for me. I have a house to manage, bills to pay, a car to run. if I lose my job, I lose all of these. I cant afford to just give in to it. I think everyone needs a reason to fight or it just consumes you.
Qualified Peer Support Worker (2017)
current mental health diagnoses: depression, PTSD, GAD, self harm, bpd
current meds (as at Feb 2017): , thyroxine, metformin, iron, b12, vit d, atenolol, Butec, Naproxen, Nefopam, Lanzoprazole, Bupropion, quetiapine (prn)
I hope so, I think you can be more stable, recently I've been reacting less impulsively to things, although it can be a bit hit and miss, in as much as in a week I can react relatively ok to an emotional issues but then three days later I will act impulsively to a different emotional issue, or react negatively. I don't know it's all hit and miss I suppose.
My CC says I'm doing well though, and I want to taper my meds off. So we shall see.
Sadly there's so much in the press at the moment about it being life-long and things.
I have bpd but went through a course of dbt and had big life changes during that time. So it is unclear which helped more. But I moved in with my fiancé and got pregnant and while in dbt I had my son and only took 3 weeks of the course before returning.
I now don't even think I have the disorder. I have not self harmed (cut or overdosed) or gone missing for over a year now. And haven't been in hospital for 3 years. (Which is amazing considering I spent 4 years in and out of hospital)
Also my birthday is a very triggering time of year and I spent every birthday in hospital on sections but have now spent 3 years out if hospital. I am not even that bothered by that time of year anymore.
I still find it hard to express my emotions and often tiny things tip me into " I can't cope... I want to die" thinking but I don't act on the thoughts.
