BPD

[captainkeefy]

I told him I went to bits when he cancelled the last appointment and he said "I was ill?!" I said "I know but it triggered my abandonment issue." He said he thinks my abondonment issue affects my behaviour on a daily basis. He said he didn't  think that C.B.T. Was useful for me, he said my emotions run to deep. He said he is going to speak to the specialist personality services and see if they will see me. Hopefully I get a diagnosis off the psychiatrist next week so then at least I know where I stand.

[Catbrian]

IMO, the Therapist should understand the cancellation issue, whether a client has abandonment issues, or not.  Most people, following TWO cancellations would feel "their space/time" was not being valued.  Although, I do think he could be right about you facing abandonment issues on a daily basis.  I think you already recognised this about yourself last week.

Apparently, according to the National Alliance for Mental Illness (N.A.M.I), the most useful form of psychotherapy for people with a PD is Dialectical Behavioural Therapy.  You will probably find that the specialist service you're being referred too will have that as part of the Care Plan.

[Catbrian]

My Care Coordinator sent me some information on Borderline Personality Disorder.  Most of them are “fact sheets”.  There’s quite a bit of it, but I’ll try to share any relevant bits and pieces as I trawl through it over the coming days/weeks.

The first fact sheet is about therapy options, medications, and prognosis.  It claims Borderline Personality Disorder is relatively common – about 1 in 20 or 25 individuals will live with this condition.  Surely, they don’t mean in the general population.  Perhaps 1 in 20 of depressives.  Historically, BPD is significantly more common in females. 

Apparently, the brain’s functioning, as seen in MRI screening, is different in people with BPD, suggesting there is a neurological basis.

It claims, the majority of people with BPD will experience significant and long-lasting periods of “symptom remission”.  However, many people will require some form of treatment even decades after their initial BPD diagnosis

Interestingly, it specifically states that the support of family and friends is of critical importance in the treatment of BPD.

The prognosis?  “With the support of family and friends, involvement in ongoing treatment, and efforts to live a healthy lifestyle – regular exercise, a balanced diet and good sleeping habits – most people with BPD can expect to experience significant relief from their symptoms”

[captainkeefy]

Hi Catb,

D.B.T. is specifically designed for people with BPD and from what I read is the most beneficial type of psychotherapy for people with a PD. I read that 60% of the population suffer from a personality disorder but they all belong on a spectrum from minor to severe. With BPD I get the impression that it goes from someone who can get depressed after a hard time in work right the way down to people who regularly have break downs. These are known as the low functioning borderlines, these people make up 1% of the population.

The things that stand out for me was that I went the doctor when I went AWOL from the army and his wrote F.N.D. On my sick note. My mum said this is terminology for f'ing nuisance to the doctor. However, when I looked it up on the net it said Functioning neurological disorder. It's got me curious if this is how a GP would describe a PD. plus I had a head scan once when I got attacked, I wonder if anything got picked up then?

Six months ago if anyone told me I had an abandonment issue I would have laughed at them. The more I think about it the more I realise how it's affected me. Hopefully with this knowledge and some therapy I can make a lot more productive life for myself. I think my problem is I set really high standards for myself to try and prove myself worthy as a person, from now on I think my happiness is going to be my priority. At least knowing my flaws gives me a more realistic perspective on my life.

[Catbrian]

If anything were untoward on a previous head scan, they would have told you.  I think someone would need to be specifically targeting that part of the brain that’s functioning differently, to recognise a PD pattern, whatever that may be.  I have no idea what FND is all about, maybe a macho clinical term for depression! =+-

There’s always great satisfaction at reaching certain “realisations”.  I like to call them “Enlightenment”.  Maybe the more we understand certain MH conditions, the more we understand ourselves.  I suppose it’s up to us what we do with that newfound knowledge.  I like to think I will use it as a tool for recovery, but sometimes I’m guilty of procrastination and can lack the self-discipline to work hard towards certain goals, even if I know a little blood sweat and tears will improve a situation.

Time for a little mindless telly and then bed.