Lived Experience Forum

[Peacelovejojo]

Hello @confused_nomad and @Ferylgirl 

@confused_nomad  thank you for welcoming me 

I'm still getting my head around. We don't have any BPD support groups here where I live. This is why I'm online.

@Ferylgirl  I am getting there. Still feeling a little sick. Thank you for welcoming me too. 

I'm taking everyday as it comes. I have had substance abuse and a recovering alcoholic. I am attending AA meetings which is helping slot. 

I'm searching for a good psychologist. I'm the meantime I'm seeking support through a counselor.

Can anyone recommend and services that can help?

Thank you again for making me feel welcomed

[Ferylgirl]

Hi @Peacelovejojo 

Good to hear from you. Keep up the AA meetings. I have known many recovering alcoholics who maintain their sobriety through AA. Yep, one day at a time is the way to go. Give yourself space to heal and grow. If either of these organisations are in your area they can certainly help you find the services you need. 

https://www.flourishaustralia.org.au/ or https://www.wellways.org/ 

They can offer support and resources. 

Ferylgirl 

[BPDSurvivor]

Hi @Peacelovejojo ,

Which state do you live? I’m doing some work with the Australian BPD Foundation so I may be able to point you to some groups. 

BPD is such a unique condition. Support groups can make a huge difference to one’s recovery as well as for carers.

If you let me know the state, I may be able to suggest a few.

[tyme]

Hi @confused_nomad @Ferylgirl @Peacelovejojo ,

How is everyone? 

Just a heads up that we are getting closer to BPD Awareness Week 1-7th Oct.

This year's theme is SEE THE PERSON.

What does this theme mean to you?

To me it means seeing the BPD label to see the real person - their needs, their desires, their strengths, their ambitions. 

I look forward to hearing from you all.

[BlueBay]

hi @tyme 

See the person for who they are and NOT the BPD attached to that person. 
see the person as kind, caring, beautiful, empathetic etc etc 

not just “oh that person has BPD”

so many attributes to a person 

(I can’t believe I just wrote that) I need to start believing my own words!!! 

[tyme]

I totally agree with you @BlueBay !

You are more than your diagnosis! 

You have superpowers. You have strengths. You have intuition. 

You are a person and not the sum of your BPD traits. 

That's why you deserve to be seen as a person and not a case number!

I hope this year's theme shakes the entire MH industry up! 

[tyme]

@BPDSurvivor @BlueBay @Ferylgirl @Peacelovejojo @Jojo 

[BlueBay]

♥️ @tyme 

[Ferylgirl]

To me the theme "See The Person" means looking behind general public image of BPD survivors.

In my life online I have been accused of being unreliable in my account of events on a particular day because "She's got BPD" and "You know they are attention seeking and Liars" by a well known "disability activist" Someone who caused a great deal of pain to many people, not just me. She got a lot of traction from her followers by posting that. 

Generalisations are very harmful and almost always untrue. 

We need a lot more work done, and all of that work should not lay on the shoulders of those with BPD, to let the world know that BPD is not intractable, is not untreatable, however the treatments available are out of reach of most people who need it the most. I am about to start a six month DBT program which will cost me $175 per week. (350 per fortnight from my DSP) this is only possible for me because my husband is willing to pay this from the little that is left of his inheritance after buying our home. 

I have sought out and worked hard in many kinds of treatments.

[BPDSurvivor]

Oh @Ferylgirl ,

I’m so sorry to hear you have to fork out so much for therapy.

It seems so unfair that therapy for BPD is so specific and people can’t really afford it.

I was probably on the ‘severe’ side so my therapy was through the public system. I don’t think I’d be as well as I am now without the Mentalisation Based therapy I received.

I am hoping there will be a huge push for funded places for people with BPD.

As for ‘See the Person’, it is so true. There is a person behind the label and the stigma.

 Thank you for sharing.