Well I too, am only a student nurse, but have an interest in mental health, particulary BPD. I have only read about 20 of the posts, but get the general idea of the conversation, and what a great one it is!!
Borderline Patients need BOUNDARIES!
I believe through personal experience and research that at least 90percent of persons that suffer from BPD have endure some form of childhood abuse, more than often 'sexual abuse'. I believe that most people have borderline traits, and depending on the environment in what they grow up in, depends on whether these traits become active and are played out by the borderline person. A person with borderline feels out of control, and needs to gain allies and control in any way possible, they will manipulate intentionally and UNINTENTIONALLY, sometimes the only way they have survived is through doing this. A person with BPD is exactly that a PERSON, with an illness that they are trying to make sense of, like all people BPD persons have similar traits BUT are all different PEOPLE, it upsets me alot when I hear professionals labell, and refer to patients as "Borderlines", these patients have names, history and a story to share, sometimes an ear is all that is required, someone who "truely" cares and shows some compassion, I don't make these staements in naievity, I have been dx with BPD/PSTD for the last 20years, my husband was told that I would not live to 30years of age, today I am 36 and a 2nd year nursing student, wanting a career in mental health, wanting to advocate and make a difference in this arena, some may read this and think , "she's one person", what diff can she make? but i believe that through the hospitalizations in my 20's through my BPD behaviours (as that's all they are), all the trials and tribulations I have an inner wisdom and strength that is only growing on a daily basis.
Sorry I have gone off the subject of the actual two scenario's, but i felt very strongly about this subject. I have been in both those situations as a patient, and I believe that (like a child) if you fight and make it difficult for the BPD patient it just add's fuel to the fire so to speak, "they" want to create a fuss, they want attention, whether it be good or bad, if the BPD patient continues to push boundaries, than I believe they "should" be MADE to do as they are told, give them the option to comply first, then because they already feel outta control and need someone else to take control, do so! (they will fight it, but they need and want it).
Sounds very contradictory, i know, But i believe that BPD patients are one of the most misunderstood in all mental illnesses, and also the most unliked by staff, please all those working with BPD patients before you treat them as BPDer's get to know them as the person first and not their Label or Dx.
im a new psych nurse who has mental health issues. My issues are actually what gave me my passion for behavioral health as I have suffered invalidation and ignorance first hand. I also know how hard it can be to function in life with a mental illness. Patients can feel when we are insincere.. people with borderline, probably moreso due to high sensitivity and the high frequency of rejection (sometimes self-inflicted) they suffer. I feel like there might not be much I can do for a patient, but i can always care and they feel it (well most =P). With pain, I figure that if someone is truly trying to 'play' me and is a true opiate addict, they are obviously not trying to get better and there isnt much i can do for them after 5 days. I feel more comfortable always treating pain. This definitely leads to complications.. like the patient becoming a regular..but each situation should be dealt with individually and there are no black/white correct answers in behavioral health.
I am very well-controlled now but there was a time in which I was doing psych tech work and i was not well. I hid it as best as i could, but it hurt me emotionally as I was not able to separate my own problems from my patients. There is a nurse where i work who constantly splits staff and can be unpredictable and malicious, but that definitely doesn't sound like you =P
inthesky
311 Posts
im a new psych nurse who has mental health issues. My issues are actually what gave me my passion for behavioral health as I have suffered invalidation and ignorance first hand. I also know how hard it can be to function in life with a mental illness. Patients can feel when we are insincere.. people with borderline, probably moreso due to high sensitivity and the high frequency of rejection (sometimes self-inflicted) they suffer. I feel like there might not be much I can do for a patient, but i can always care and they feel it (well most =P). With pain, I figure that if someone is truly trying to 'play' me and is a true opiate addict, they are obviously not trying to get better and there isnt much i can do for them after 5 days. I feel more comfortable always treating pain. This definitely leads to complications.. like the patient becoming a regular..but each situation should be dealt with individually and there are no black/white correct answers in behavioral health.
I am very well-controlled now but there was a time in which I was doing psych tech work and i was not well. I hid it as best as i could, but it hurt me emotionally as I was not able to separate my own problems from my patients. There is a nurse where i work who constantly splits staff and can be unpredictable and malicious, but that definitely doesn't sound like you =P
good luck!!
=)