BPD is a very complicated mental disorder, and it can majorly affect one’s quality of life. Over the past year and a half, I’ve been on my BPD recovery journey. My symptoms have not yet gone fully into remission; however, things have definitely taken a turn for the better.
In this post, I’ll be sharing what recovery from BPD looks like for me, and answer questions like “Can you overcome borderline personality disorder?” and “Why DBT is helpful in the treatment of BPD?”.
I’ve been struggling with BPD for quite some time and before I got the proper treatment and tools my life was a living hell. I felt as though my disorder was completely in control of my life and I lost all hope.
Slowly I’ve gotten my life back on track and I’m extremely proud of the place I’m currently at.
This Post Will Be All About What My Recovery From BPD Looks Like
Can You Overcome Borderline Personality Disorder?
One question that often comes up is whether you can fully heal from BPD. The answer isn’t a straightforward yes or no. You can go into remission, basically meaning you’re symptoms no longer meet the diagnostic criteria for borderline personality disorder. Many studies show that people who receive proper support and treatment usually go into remission within a few years. For me, although I have not yet gone into remission my symptoms have significantly reduced, and I’m able to live a fulfilling life with healthy relationships. I’m able to regulate my emotions and have eliminated most of my self-destructive behaviors. I’m happy with the point I’m currently at in my recovery and plan to keep working hard and progressing.
Recovery is a journey, and it looks different for everyone. What works for one person may not work for another, the important thing is to keep trying and not give up hope. This is what works for me, my journey may be a little different from yours and that is perfectly fine.
Before Healing
A year and a half ago, I was going through a very tough time. My eating disorder was at its peak, and my physical and mental health were at their worst. I was so dissociated that there were full months I can’t remember. My mood swings were extreme and intense, going from feeling on top of the world one moment to writing suicide notes the next. I lost most of my friendships and felt like my life had no purpose. I was self-harming daily and felt like no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get better.
Why DBT?
I had tried various therapies, but nothing seemed to work until I came across dialectical behavior therapy or DBT. DBT is a cognitive-behavioral therapy that was initially created to treat borderline personality disorder but has since been adapted to help treat other mental health conditions. Its main purpose is to help with emotional regulation, building healthy coping mechanisms, and living in the moment. A week before my scheduled hospitalization, I decided to put it off and give DBT a try. This is where things finally started to take a turn for the better.
I do feel as though I should mention that it did take time and a lot of effort. DBT involves a lot of self-reflection and works outside of the therapy sessions, and the skills won’t help unless you implement them into your daily life. It’s an intense form of therapy that usually involves group therapy alongside one-on-one therapy sessions and phone coaching (in crisis situations/when needed). It definitely isn’t a quick fix, but it’s worth the effort if you want to live the life you deserve.
How Did DBT Help?
Through DBT, I learned a lot about my diagnosis and gained the skills and knowledge to cope with my symptoms. I also learned a lot about radical acceptance, accepting myself, and how things are in the moment, you can want to progress and get better but still love and accept yourself the way things are right now. It’s one of the DBT skills that has been most helpful for me and allowed me to move forward and reduce suffering from things that are currently out of my control.
As I mentioned earlier, I am still on my borderline recovery journey and my symptoms have yet to go into remission. However, although I still struggle with most of the same patterns and symptoms, their intensity and impact on my life have decreased significantly. I’m able to experience difficult emotions without losing control or turning to self-destructive behaviors. An example of this is my self-harm tendencies, I still struggle with self-harm urges, but I now know how to cope effectively and have been self-harm-free for 9 months now.
I’ve also come a long way when it comes to managing relationships with loved ones. I have learned healthy communication skills and I no longer compromise my own wants and needs in relationships nor do I overlook those of others. I am able to keep healthy, balanced platonic and romantic relationships in my life long-term. My fear of abandonment and attachment issues no longer control me or the success of my relationships. They are still present however I now have the skills to manage them effectively and rarely experience any extreme outbursts or splitting.
What Else Have I Done?
Along with DBT, I’ve also been exploring my passions and making sure my life is full of meaningful experiences. I take great care of myself and make sure to stay present and enjoy the small things. Something I’ve done and highly recommend that you try as well is, making sure you have something to look forward to every day, no matter how small. It could be meeting up with a friend or your favorite chocolate bar, the little things really do go a long way.
I am currently pursuing the arts, a passion of mine and I couldn’t be happier. In a way, I’ve discovered my BPD “superpowers” and used them to my advantage. My intense feelings make me perfect for the arts and I use my inner chaos as inspiration. I also journal daily to stay in touch with my feelings and cope with the emptiness that often comes with borderline personality disorder, and I’ve found it to be very effective.
Additionally, I’m honest with those around me about my struggles and have built a strong support system. I no longer feel ashamed or embarrassed about my past trauma or my BPD symptoms and can talk openly about my struggles. This has been a huge step forward in my borderline personality disorder recovery journey. Being able to reach out when in need of support and be honest about my triggers have helped me make my relationships much more successful and meaningful, for both parties.
Final Thoughts
Living with borderline personality disorder can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be a life sentence. It’s important to seek the right treatment, build a strong support system, and stay patient and hopeful. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, and remember that you’re not alone.
I hope that sharing my experience with BPD and my recovery journey can help others who are going through similar struggles. Remember that it’s okay to ask for help and to take your time in your recovery journey. It’s a difficult journey, but it’s one that can lead to a happier, healthier life.
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