Take a look at some of the inspiring lived experiences of our community, spend some time reading, or upload your own.
Borderline Personality Disorder. Sounds frightening, sounds unsettling, sounds unmanageable. As someone living with this complex mental health condition, I can tell you that I am not any of these things. And I am definitely not a disorder; I am a person full of love, with so much to give.
The conversation around BPD is very misunderstood and loaded with stigma.
Too many people, including professionals, are unkind, discriminatory, and apathetic. This discourages people getting the support and empathy they deserve.
People living with BPD are not problems, they are individuals with passions and dreams and aspirations. In fact, something that is not portrayed in the media, is that those with this condition have some incredibly positive traits.
We are so compassionate, loyal, resilient, creative, extremely courageous and exceptionally empathetic – just to name a few!
Living with this diagnosis is a daily struggle and has been for as long as I can remember.
I feel huge intense waves of emotion that are overwhelming and all-consuming and can cause agonising emotional pain.
I find it hard to know and accept myself as well as interact with others. I have battled horrible thoughts for many years. I can be impulsive and think in rigid extremes. I am a survivor of trauma.
My mental health story is not beautiful, but my journey in recovery is.
For years and years, every single day was terrifying and painful, I saw no light in my darkest times and merely survived. I believed that I couldn’t carry on.
But my story didn’t end. Hospital admissions, medication and therapy saved me. I am so fortunate to have met some incredible people who showed me hope and kindness and re-ignited my inner strength.
I am now years into building an impactful and hopefully inspiring career. Working for Mind in West Essex has given me so much purpose and I will continue to share my journey forever because I have seen and learnt that sharing my story is truly my superpower.
The last message I’d like to leave here is that although Borderline Personality Disorder might be a condition that you struggle to understand or connect with, one invaluable demonstration of support you can give is to be unshakeably kind and compassionate.
It is in addition, so important to educate on BPD in order to reinforce the right information and also journeys of healing. There are many things that help keep me well, such as having strong social connections/friendships, hugs, journalling, being creative, mindfulness, exercise and dance.
Recovery is possible! It may not be easy, but it is definitely worth it. I am very proud of how far I’ve come, the progress I am continuing to make and the positive influence I’m creating. I now can confidently say that I have built a life worth living and I will continue striving to help others in doing the same.
By Holly Deboo, Online Group Facilitator and Co-Facilitator of Complex Mental Health Conditions Training at Mind in West Essex
