Nearly a decade ago if not more, I had a mental health crisis, it was silent and debilitating. Being self aware, I caught on to what my mind and body were going through not to mention that quiet and subtle voice that guides you through the storm was incessant in my mind space that I should go to my community mental health center and address what I was feeling.
I showed up at the closest NHS Mental Health Centre and spent hours in a closed room with my psychiatrist at the time. Excruciating hours of answering questions and evaluations being done. Mind you, I already knew what my diagnosis was - Bipolar Disorder. We both knew that. So, what’s with the re-evaluation? I never asked. All that happened after was being put on different cocktails of medication and rigorous therapy treatment plan. This didn’t make any sense at that time until I saw a copy of the psychiatrist assessment and there was this remark: “Bipolar Disorder with traits of BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER”.
Now, the first can be managed with medication but the latter, many therapists don’t even want to deal with clients living with BPD. Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder which can be treated with medication. However, BPD is a personality disorder which cannot be managed with medication and YOU as the patient must be committed to your wellness through CBT/Talk Therapy which is barely a Hail Mary.
Borderline Personality Disorder (also known as Emotional Dysregulation) is a mental health condition that is characterized by unstable moods, behavior and relationships. People living with BPD have an intense fear of abandonment and instability, as well as inappropriate anger, impulsiveness, frequent mood swings that may push others away. BPD patients deeply want to have loving and lasting relationships. While this is achievable, as someone with a lived experience, you may want to get out of your way first and commit to your healing process.
On this first episode of season 2, my guest co-host is Dr. Michele Finneran, a Psychotherapist and Author in the United States. We dissect the topic ‘BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER’. The cause, how it’s diagnosed, associated trauma and triggers, push and pull effect and WHY most therapist won’t take a BPD case.
Welcome to SEASON 2 of NO JUDGEMENT! I have missed you!