A Work In Progress: The Road to Recovery

People with Borderline Personality Disorder never recover; if they do, they never really had Borderline Personality Disorder. I cannot tell people how many times I have read that and heard that. I have come across research studies that followed people with the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and they have shown otherwise. At the end of a six year period around 70% of people with the BPD diagnosis, that actively worked on recovery, did not meet the criteria for BPD anymore. I am one of those people that actively work toward recovery.

First, I do receive treatment--I do counseling. I personally do not receive formal Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), which is considered the best treatment for BPD. However, I practice the principles from it. I am very mindful about how I come across to others (I mentally evaluate conversations that I have/had). I try and stay positive, but allow myself to cry and vent when I need to.

Second, I surround myself with people and friends that I can be open and honest about my diagnosis and they still like me and are supportive. That goes a long way, especially in keeping a positive outlook on life.

Third, I get involved. I am involved with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) which is a very positive organization that realizes the importance of utilizing people with a mental illness to educate the public on mental illness and advocate for themselves and others living with a mental illness. I not only involve myself with organizations dealing with mental illness, but other organizations of interest. I do it not only help my community but widen my social circle, so if I need someone (remember BPD can bring feelings of needing to be with someone), I do not pick the same person (that can wear a person down). I am involving myself with an activity, so I am not getting bored and lonely.

Fourth, I stay on a very strict schedule and routine. I wake up about the same time every morning--whether I have to get something done or not. I try and do thing as soon as they need to be done. It helps with the anxiety. I am not sure if many people are aware of why Borderline Personality Disorder is called "Borderline"--it was originally a borderline between psychosis and neurosis/being neurotic. Neurotic can mean many things; however, the basis for it is being marked by anxiety. I also have a planner that I write everything down in.

The aforementioned things are how I stay on track towards recovery. I probably will not ever consider myself completely recovered because I could slip back into old behaviors.

If anyone else has any tips on how they deal with BPD is a positive manner, please share.