Would It Surprise You That I Have BPD

I have known many people diagnosed (or "labelled", as you correctly pointed out) with BPD through my work as a Nurse Practitioner. You're right about the stigma which society (including many in the medical profession, I hate to say) places on people with mental illness. You're also right when you say that many do not want to deal with people affected by this illness; they can be very challenging, to say the least. However, BPD is an illness, the same as any other physical or mental illness. Unfortunately, cognitive-behavioral therapy is pretty much all that will help people with this disorder, as medications are generally ineffective. It's important that those affected are linked with services and find a counsellor that they can relate to and learn to trust so that they can learn the skills needed to deal with life, people, and society. It sounds as if you have great insight into your illness, which should help you immensely. You can never be too honest, by the way, and I don't think any less of you at all. I don't have BPD and I can also be hell to live with!

How can someone think any less of you because you are going through a difficult and challenging part in your life. Some conditions are life long, and it may be that there is nothing that can be done to resolve them, but it is also true that people learn to live with and accept their personalities which enable them, through a lot of work, to mediate how they interact with other people, they get a feeling of how their personality is affecting them and therefore how they come across to others and can minimise it. It's a little like someone with turettes in a way, they know they have it, and try to stop it as best they can. conditions affecting our brain, are complex, but similar in some respects. When I read your comments, I think the thing you need to try and get to grips with is the depression because I bet that it the thing that eats you up most on a day to day basis, it's probably tied to who you are, but working to fix that depression will help you. Nothing in this life is easy, believe me, I really do know just how cruel life is and can be, how it can take the things that are important away from you, can make you isolated and apprehensive. But, life is also about hope, even on the darkest day, there will always be a little thing, somewhere, no matter how small, that will put a pleasurable thought in your mind. The key is to build on those, the more and more of those happy things the better things will become. It really doesn't matter what they are, how insigificant you later think they may be, just think that it doesn't always have to be a light at the end of the dark tunnel, because for some people there isn't a happy end, the thing is trying to fill that darkness with rays of happiness and those rays will become brighter and brighter until they become a feeling of acceptance and calm.

I really admire your honesty, wolfie. I don't know anyone with a similar problem, but "my best friend one day and my worst enemy the next" sounds familiar - I have a pre-menstrual wife! lol My mother-in-law has some type of disorder, but it generally makes her very paranoid about herself and saps her confidence completetly. When she's unwell she is constantly worried that she has done terrible things and offended people. It freaked me out at first - I thought she was a real whacko, but once you get used to it, you just take it as part & parcel of her personality as a whole. I'm sure your friends and family just accept the problem for what it is and admire you all the more for coping with it so well.

I actualy have had friends who have suffered this...I know there are many undiagnosed cases and I belIEve that we all have certain conditions...its identifying them and then being able to do something about them.... YOU KNOW THERES NOONE WHO IS PERFECT OR WITHOUT THEIR CROSS TO BEAR, WE MAY ALL HAVE A DIFFERENT ONE, WE ARE WORKS IN PROGRESS ALWAYS......

Hello wolfie. It is because of your honesty and openness that drove me to request for your friendship in the first place. Never ever think that I will think less of you. We all have our own imperfections and flaws and I'm no exemption. I had went through different "labels" in my life too. I grew up as a shy little girl with no friends at all. There was this fear inside of me and even tried to hide under the table whenever a visitor dropped by our house. I was able to conquer this shyness and became a socially gaily person when I reached University. It was a brief period of my time where I was able to enjoy the company of friends. After I settled down and have my two little ones, I became a different person again. I'm presently living a solitary life and doesn't like to mingle with friends very much. Do I care that people will think less of me now? No...

Hey Wolfie, my name is Rozie. I am also diagnosed with BPD, so believe me I feel your pain. Thank you for being honest about it. If more people were not so ashamed then it would be commonly known about and we could get better help. You know it is rumored that Princess Diana had BPD. I personally think that Michael Jackson has it also, but these people are beside the point. Them having or not having it has not helped us yet and it probably never will. I have written about BPD at least twice on this site and I do not get very many responses. Yet, what hurt me the most is that my doctor whom I love and respect, had to borrow my book on it to skim through it, because he did not know much about it at all. He works out of Brotman Memorial Medical Center in Culver City. I thought surely he would know something and be of more help, but he wasn't. This the one of, if not the most stigmatized mental disorders that there is and yet sometimes I feel so alone in my fight. I just want everyone to know that this is what can happen to children who are abused and neglected. There is a wealth of information on the internet, just type in the name and sit back and study. You would be surprised to know that this is one of the most common mental illnesses. Wolfie, you have got to stop being so hard on yourself. You are a valuable person whom God created for a special purpose. It does not matter how many people turn you away, God never will, he loves you too much.

Well, first – no I have to admit I know nothing about BPD. As for whether it makes me think any less of you – well – of course not. You don’t stop caring about someone or being a friend just because they have an illness or a problem, do you? I don’t know enough about this to offer any solutions or advice, but whatever, I like you, and it certainly wouldn’t stop me being your friend

I guess Im lucky to only know the good and sweet wolfie. You have always been kind to me. So until i see the other side. ill just keep holding on to the good wolfie. OK??

No i do not think less of you wolfie One of my best friends was diagnozed with BPD a few years ago, after a group of her friends encouraged her to go and get diagnozed. I know that it is not easy. And it will never end. But there are new techniques that they have today that do help. Take care. Liran:)

Good for you my Darling and why on earth would anyone think anything less of you! I hope sisters never turn into your worst enemy cos you won't get rid of me that easy! To be honest I do not know too much about this condition sweetheart it sounds as though it gives you a hard time and I am sorry about that, I really am. I just wish there was something I could do to help. Remember I am always here if you need me - and if anyone has a problem with this you because of this it is their problem - not yours! xxx

Years ago I heard about borderline personality disorder. It can be quite a burden for those who are diagnosed with it as well as those who care about them. The reason why is persons with borderline personality disorder typically have unstable relationships. I personally have the one symptom that you mention that is the thing about things being either black and white. Over the years I've struggled with this concept in all things, such as you love me or you hate me, something is either good or it is evil and so on. I have managed to overcome this as I am basically a compassionate person. The funny thing is I know how ludicrous such concepts must sound to those who haven't experienced such things. I work in a mental hospital and often times there are patients who suffer from BPD. Many of them are female but like the occasional male anorexic these cases do happen. And don't worry I don't think less of you as you are only human and this is one of those things affecting some human beings. Take care and have a great week.

it is my first time to hear such BPD.is it the same with having a bipolar disorder? but i think a lot of people have the same condition like yours....it's just that they haven't realized that or they just simply deny the fact... admitting it to yourself is an admirable act. for some, it is difficult to admit that there is something wrong with them.... but with you, you are happily admitting it. you are a good example!!! i know that with this condition you have, i still feel the sincerity and the inner happiness within you....

Humans are such complicated creatures that it is difficult not to believe that we all have something 'wrong' with us. In which case it could not really be considered 'wrong' at all. Perhaps you are how humans are supposed to be and we are not quite as developed. If a woman has a mood swing it is attributed to hormones. I think I suffer from SAD and have had a couple of panic attacks. I don't exactly do well in social situations. I much prefer being with the wonderful MyLot people on my computer. Sick with us we will always be here if you need us.

Wolfie darling, the wolf has always been one of my favourates. I don't know anything about BPD, but the scary thought is that I can relate to how you act and feel. I've actually started to think that I'm 2 sandwiches short of a picnic!lol I HATE crying in front of people, but lately I can just burst into tears at any moment. I'm managing to cope socially, but it's all fake. You smile, have a conversation, laugh, but inside all you want to do is go home and be alone. - Ronelle

I suffer from depression myself and ADD. I have some of the same symptoms you do. My mother has a mental illness. I have friends that have mental illness. It seems at times like I am surrounded with it. I guess that's are lot in life and we must grin and bare it. I believe God has a purpose for everything and I trust Him. Sometimes though it can be hard to deal with. No, I don't think less of you. In fact, seems like we have some things in common.

The real you is something which I personally like to see, so I'm glad you are the way you are. (minus the problems/illness) :) I'm too honest as well my friend. I sometimes wished I wasn't as open as I am now and could go back to hiding things and hardly talking about myself. :) ~Joey

Hi wolfie. I think that we may be like two peas in a pod. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder/anxiety quite a few years ago. It is nothing to be ashamed of. It is all related to a chemical imbalance in our brains. I have made it a point to study up on my condition and try to educate the people closest to me about it. What others think of me I don't really care. I am also a loner; I don't bother others; and people generally don't get me because they can't figure me out. No one should think less of you for being honest about yourself.

I was diagnosed with BPD a few years ago although I decided to not have meds or anything. But now that I am in a settled marriage and happy it's much better although my hubby will tell you that it's hard to deal with me often. I have no grey area as well. Either I love you or hate you. lol. I dont think anyone would think less of you because of it. :)

Wow! It is kind of comforting to see all the responses and support you have received on this! I am new to this site, and look forward to being a part of it! As for your illness...when I first seen the BPD..I thought you were talking about Bi-Polar Disorder. I'm not familiar with the BPD, but am very familiar with other illnesses, and I believe that we shouldn't be judged by our shortcomings, it's just part of who we are! I suffer from depression, and it takes a huge toll on my life! I'm happier being online and talking to people, than dealing with life around me. I too am very honest and upfront, and it's caused me a lot of trouble...but I'd rather people know the truth, than hide behind falsification! Thank you, you are a blessing in disguise!

I know exactly what you are going through, exept I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I wonder if the are realated some kind of way?