💙 Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Awareness Week 💙

Holly_Scope

BDP is very complex, and often misunderstood which is why this awareness week is so important.

It is estimated that around 1-2% of the adult community live with BPD, that’s over 1 million people in the UK. Of which over 75% are women. But what's really concerning is that 85% of people with BPD will attempt suicide and 10% of people will die by suicide.

It’s suggested that BPD is caused by a mixture of factors – biological, genetic and environmental. A common theme is needs not being met as children.

Most cases of BPD are diagnosed in young adulthood and this is because symptoms are inherently present in many adolescents.

Understanding BPD symptoms:

Some of the symptoms include emotional distress and difficulty relating to others and the world around them. It often involves a lot of emotional highs and lows and can be very distressing for the person and those around them.

There are four primary types of BPD - Quiet, Impulsive, Self-Destructive, Petulant.

Quiet

People with this type of BPD have a fear of abandonment and might take extreme measures to avoid real, or imaginary abandonment. They might keep their feelings inside and tend to blame themselves rather than others.

They may be perfectionists, high functioning and successful, but also feel very detached in large groups and feel lonely or empty a lot of the time. They might engage in self-destructive, self-harming or suicidal behaviours.

Impulsive

People who experience this type of BPD might act impulsively and dangerously, and possibly without any regard for the consequences or others.

They might be energetic, charismatic and engaging, or even elusive and detached. And might engage in behaviours such as bingeing, aggression and self-destructive behaviours.

Self-Destructive

People with self-destructive BPD can experience self-hatred or might be their own worst enemy.

They can experience frequent low mood or depression, self-doubt and a negative self-image. They might engage in behavior that’s harmful to themselves and suicidal thoughts.

Petulant

People who experience this type of BPD suffer with mood often unpredictable mood swings. They might be angry one moment, and sad another. They might also feel unloved or unworthy. They can be manipulative and tend to feel dissatisfied in their relationships.

They might use substances or other dangerous behaviours. Alongside being easily irritated, impatient, stubborn, and can be passive aggressive.

Treatments

There are effective treatments available for BPD which have helped people live meaningful lives without experiencing the symptoms. Most people who do receive treatment, get better over time.

However a lot of people still don’t get diagnosed so they don’t receive the treatment and support that they need which is why this week is important to raise awareness of what BPD is, they symptoms, and how to get help.

There is support out there. If you think this might be relevant to you, it might be helpful to reach out to your GP. Or if you'd like to look into this further, here are some helpful links:

• BPD Foundation UK
• Borderline Personality Disorder: Symptoms and Treatment
• What is borderline personality disorder (BPD)?

Catherine21

I have 3 of these symptoms isolating us the only way to keep bpd at bay im so calm on my own also undiagnosed adhd has caused bpd and body dismorphia with complex ptsd all have a knock on effect when im isolated i feel a good person I have no connections to anyone as I feel so so deeply its traumatic for me trying to be normal I just dont get joy the structure of society makes me extremely mentally ill

Andi66

My daughter been diagnosed with eupd, I think it's abandonment due to her father not bothering with her. She has has self harmed in the past and with her autism has had controlling relationships by men which made it worse

66Mustang

I have BPD, something I struggle with is - and in some ways actually triggers the BPD itself - is when people jump to the conclusion that my parents to blame

I experienced sustained, severe bullying throughout school, around ages 8-17, and (mal)adapted into learning that only my family was "okay". I developed an extreme, fanatical loyalty to them - to the point where if someone was rude about even a random person just who had the same profession as my mum or dad, in my mind that would be an attack on one of the few people I could trust and I'd do everything to (in my mind) safeguard them

I think it's important that it's known that not just the parents can be the reason a child's needs are unmet - to the contrary my parents fought very hard (sadly, usually in vain) for school to do their bit

Holly_Scope

Thank you all for sharing your experiences 💙

Albus_Scope

A very important discussion to have. My ex and a few friends have BPD.

One friend was diagnosed with BPD, but years later, it turns out she's actually autistic. That apparently happens a lot with women still.

Hopeless

I’m diagnosed with EUPD/BPD, it’s been my diagnosis for nearly 30 years. Before that I was diagnosed with psychotic depression and schizophrenia. I suspect I’m autistic and my problems stem from autistic needs never having been met or even recognised. I’m now in my 50’s and am not putting myself through further assessments etc. I think they are all just labels and what the label is doesn’t really matter because it doesn’t say anything about who I really am. The ‘in’ diagnoses change but unfortunately care and support for any is severely lacking. I have no hope now of meaningful recovery, I’ve lived with severe mental illness for too long, been hospitalised so many times, tried so many medication combinations, seen way too many psychiatrists and I still struggle. The worst thing is the complete lack of understanding of severe mental illness by the government. I’m tired of fighting the same old battles again and again