Stigma Busters- Volume 1 Issue 1

STIGMA A MENTAL HEALTH MAGAZINE

Borderline Personality Disorder

MARCH 2018 | VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 1

IN THIS ISSUE: BREAKING DOWN THE STIGMA OF

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What is Stigma?

Stigma surrounds us all and engulfs us into an environment of ignorance and disrespect. It is when myths or misconceptions and stereotypes somehow become facts in some people's eyes, thus altering the way they think or feel about a certain topic. This clouded vision drive and individual to commit hateful acts, whether verbal or physical, towards that topic or groups associated with that topic. The targeted are shamed and isolated without being given a chance for experison and, in severe cases, ignored despite being in the face of powerful evidence. The targeted later may self stigmatize themselves which leads to self-loathing and a poor quality of life. Breaking down stigma with education and peaceful means helps create a safer place for everyone.

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IN THIS ISSUE 03

INTRODUCTION What is borderline personality disorder?

What some symptoms and possible contributing factors?

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TREATMENTS Thanks to research, some treatments can significantly reduce the symptoms and improve the quality of life for those affected.

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COMMON MYTHS breaking down common misconceptions to help create a safer environment for people to feel comfortable in reaching out.

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BORDERLINE VOICES Exploring stories of people who have BPD that give hope to others and to tell them they are not alone.

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SELF-HELP Resources to aid people with BPD or who are suspecting they have it.

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SUPPORTING SUFFERS How to support loved ones who may be suffering from BPD.

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What is BPD? Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental illness that centers around the inability of someone to manage their own emotions effectively. It is a cluster b personality disorder which means they are characterized by dramatic, overly emotional or unpredictable thinking or behaviour. It impacts the way you perceive not only yourself, but those around you. This causes difficulty in dealing with everyday life.Those that have BPD experience an intense fear of being abandoned or being unstable, and have a hard time being by themselves.

This is a very hard disorder to deal with because those who have BPD often exert anger, impulsiveness and anger which usually results in pushing people away. Usually, this disorder begins during adolescence or early adulthood.

Symptoms of this disorder include unstable relationships, an unclear self-image, impulsive, self-destructive

that shows that there is a possible genetic component to this disorder. Someone is more likely to have or develop

behaviour, self-harm, extreme emotional swings, chronic

bipolar personality disorder if a member of their family

feelings of emptiness, explosive anger, and feeling

has the condition. Brain-chemical and hormonal

suspicious or out of touch with reality. In order to be diagnosed with bipolar personality disorder, you must have at least five of these symptoms. There is no definite single cause for bipolar personality disorder. Studies however, have suggested that it is more likely to result from a range of factors. There has been research however, -

imbalances also play a key role in contributing to the possible causes of this disorder. Lastly, environmental factors are also a possible cause. These environmental factors can include abuse, mental stress, a significant loss, or other traumatic events in an individual’s life.

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Treatments Borderline personality disorder has been very difficult to treat in the past, however, now that psychologists take time to experiment and explore mental illnesses, new treatments are on the rise.

Although most of the time those treatments do not cure BPD, they can significantly reduce the symptoms and improve the quality of life for those affected. Self-medication only worsens the symptoms, instead patients should seek specialized treatments from licensed professionals. More on where to seek help later in this issue. After starting with the appropriate treatment it is important to stick with it as the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) funded studies show that without adequate help more severe symptoms might develop that can greatly affect the quality of life.

change underlying perceptions and beliefs about themselves and interactions with others.

It may help reduce self-destructing behaviour and help patients cope with mood swings and anxiety symptoms.

Medications Medication is not usually the first go to for treatment as their benefits are unclear and some medications can cause side effects that can worsen the symptoms in the long run. However, medications may sometimes be recommended by a professional to treat specific symptoms (mood swings, depression, etc) rather than borderline personality disorder itself.

Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is the most important first-line of treatment. Getting one on one time with a therapist or a therapist-led group sessions can help people with BDP to learn how to interact with others and how to express themselves effectively.

However, a strong patient-therapist relationship must be built on trust. Having borderline personality disorder can make it difficult for patients to feel comfortable and have a trusting bond with their therapists. Common forms of therapy are, but not limited to :

A strong support base from loved ones or caregivers

When loved ones or caregivers have an understanding of the what having BPD is like and what some of the obstacles must be overcome, they can act as a safety net and a guide for a strong support system. A helping hand can ease the treatment process and reduce the symptoms as that makes people with BPD, or any mental illness, feel like they are loved and not defined by their mental illness. Making them feel safe and accepted will aid them in seeking help and will reduce impulsive or risk-taking behaviour.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): This form of therapy uses the concepts of mindfulness and being aware to current situational and emotional state. It teaches individuals how to control intense emotions, reduce selfdestructive behaviours and improve relationships.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This form of therapy helps individuals to identify and

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Myths Many mental illnesses are overlooked and stigmatized. As people use these mental illness to describe unpleasant behavior or as insults, a great amount of myths and misconceptions circle around them. These myths may lead individuals to stigmatize themselves, make them emotionally unstable and maybe even increasing risky behaviour. Although these might not be all the myths that surround borderline personality disorder, they are definitely some of the more popular ones. By acknowledging the truth from the misconceptions and by educating people about topics they are unfamiliar with, stigmas can be broken down creating a safer environment where anyone can reach out for help or advise.

ONLY WOMEN OR MOSTLY WOMEN HAVE BPD This myth prevents men from getting an accurate diagnosis and may encourage them to ignore there symotops in fear of getting ridiculed. This may also prevent women from seeking help as they may feel they are assimilating into a stereotype and try to fight it. In reality mental illness affects men and women equally, however, because of this myth less men may be less inclined to be diagnosed

BPD DOESN’T RESPOND WELL TO TREATMENT This myth often discourages people from seeking or continuing on with their treatment. Many mental illness are challenging to treat and require patience and determination, but many people have been shown to be responsive to treatment. Later on in this issue, we will take a look at people diagnosed with BPD that have shared their story, they talk about their challenges and downfalls but also about their successes.

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BAD PARENTING IS TO BLAME FOR BPD Parents are major influences on their children and often contribute to their mental health issues, but many other factors come into play. Even though BPD is linked to childhood abuse or trauma, that may not be the case. After further research a combination of genetics and environmental influences are now seen as contributing factors. Parents should not be used as easy scapegoats.

PEOPLE WITH BPD ARE UNBEARABLE People with BPD may have outbursts and unstable emotions and that can affect people around them, as loved ones, not having first hand experience, might feel as if the outbursts are just them being selfish. However, people with BPD feel as if they are in constant crisis which is a very scary experience for them, they are not trying to be selfish or to push loved ones away. With the correct treatment, they may learn to lead a productive happy life.

PEOPLE WITH BPD ARE MANIPULATIVE AND SEEK ATTENTION Some symptoms associated with BPD is self-harm and suicidal behavior, which are stigmatized on their own and are viewed as attention seeking by many. However, these actions are legitimate and not done for attention, rather a coping mechanism to escape their suffering and may be a cry for help.

DBT IS THE ONLY FORM OF THERAPY FOR BPD DBT was designed by Psychologist Marsha Linehan to treat BPD, but no evidence suggests that it is more effective than many other forms.

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Borderline Voices Tilly Grove is someone who lives with bipolar personality disorder. When she was first diagnosed, she typed the condition into the Amazon search bar and was heartbroken by one of the top results she saw. It read, “Taking your life back from someone with bipolar personality disorder.” In the article it asked the readers if they felt manipulated, controlled, or lied to by someone they knew who had BPD. Another popular stigma about people with this condition is that they are abusive. In addition to hearing all those negative things about a condition that Tilly had, she already felt like a burden. Language that portrayed her condition in such a negative way hurt her. She described her experience with BPD as an unstable sense of self, impulsiveness and a lot of fear. One moment, it can feel as though you immensely love someone and want to spend the rest of your life with them, and the next moment, you're pushing them away because you're convinced they might hurt you or leave you.

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An anonymous shared their story online and stated that she had been diagnosed with BPD seven years ago. Her initial reaction was relief at the thought that her behaviour finally had an explanation to it. Unfortunately, a few years after her diagnosis, people were constantly telling her that she was using her disorder as an excuse for her bad behaviour. In addition to receiving all these stigma based comments, majority of her family did not believe in her diagnosis and any friend she made ended up leaving her due to periods of time that she could not control her emotions. Due to lack of emotional support from both family and friends, it just makes the situation even worse and leaves the person with the disorder with feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. There is one book in particular that this anon read that gave her hope that there are people in this world that are willing to help. Anon explains how she needs constant reminders of that, because if she doesn’t, it makes her feel as if she will lose faith in humanity.

Kayla’s symptoms began during her early adolescence. She quickly realized that she was very different from the rest of her peers. She spent her days in isolation and at the time, did not understand all the overwhelming emotions that attacked her every day. This disorder played a huge role in keeping Kayla back academically. She felt as if she was stuck at the age of 11. Her sense of self-capacity to regulate emotions lagged behind. At once, when Kayla was finally diagnosed with bipolar personality disorder, she was able to finally realize the meaning behind her behaviour and find a sense of peace with her past, in order to move forward with her future.

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Self Help

Have a Safety Plan

No one should be defined by their mental illness or be forced to take on the intense emotional experiences on their own. Borderline personality disorder can impact work, school and relationships negatively and may even drive towards impulsive behaviour. Learning how to cope with the symptoms and taking steps towards getting professional help can greatly alleviate your quality of life.

BPD cause very painful emotions that lead to mental health emergencies. Having a safety plan in place, before the crisis happens, will be able to ensure that your are well take care of. Ask yourself if you are in danger of harming yourself or others, what will you do? Call 911? Go to a hospital?

Discuss your plan with a licensed professional to help guide make the best choices.

Get Help

The intense symptoms of BPD are not easy things a person can face alone. With many effective treatments, the intensity and occurrence of symptoms can decrease. Finding a professional or a support group in which you feel comfortable building a trust bond can help you take steps towards a better life. Talk to your school counselor, family physician, a loved one or go to websites such as Psychology Today to seek information about licensed professionals that can start your therapy.

Get support

Opening up to loved ones about a difficult topic can be really challenging. Finding ways to connect with others and build a support group can ensure that you have a safety net and crutch for when you need them the most. Along with treatment and support, the process of opening up will get easier.

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Take care of yourself

Healthy self-care can increase positive emotions and reduce painful ones. Having a healthy diet, exercising regularly, good sleep and hygiene have positive effects on both the body and the mind.

Having time for relaxation will help escaping stresses and mange painful symptoms.

Emergency Hotlines The following numbers are for Alberta, Canada only. Please check and record the emergency hotlines for your region.

Health Link Get health advice from a registered nurse.

811 Mental Health Support Line Get confidential information and referrals.

1-877-303-2642 Bullying Prevention Help Line Call the Bullying Prevention Helpline. Help is provided in more than 170 languages.

1-888-456-2323 Family Violence Information Line If you think someone you know is experiencing family violence, reach out by calling the Family Violence Info Line.

310-1818 Emergency Telephone 911 Go to suicideprevention.ca/alberta-crisis-centres/ for more crisis hotlines and addresses for crisis centers.

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Supporting Sufferers Educate Yourself

Seeing a loved one suffer can be very painful especially if you have no idea what to do.

Sometimes the outbursts people with BPD have might come off as selfish even though it is not their fault. How can one support someone if they have no first-hand experience of what they are going through? These few steps can hopefully make you a better support system in the your loved ones journey of treatment.

This is critically important when you personally know someone with BPD. The more educated you are on the topic, the more you know what to expect and how to react and deal with certain situations. Sometimes, those with the disorder may portray behaviour that may seem manipulative and mean-spirited. It is important that you can recognize these behaviours as symptoms of BPD, and not misinterpret the situation. By understanding that these actions are not done to intentionally harm you, you can use this information to build empathy.

Provide Validation

Even if you don’t understand or don’t agree with the feelings of someone with BPD, it does not mean that their feelings are any less real. By simply just letting that person know that you understand how they are feeling can be a major relief to them. Lots of people who grew up with BPD are used to people telling them that they are overreacting. So, having someone express their care about how they feel is a simple task, but a very powerful one as well.

Support Someone With BPD When They Decide To Get Help It takes a lot of courage to admit that you need help and to take actions in doing so. You can support someone you know with BPD when he or she decides to get help by letting them know that you are proud of them and providing emotional

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support. In addition to the professional help that they may choose to seek, they may also need your help in other ways. You can also provide your support by offering rides to their appointments or taking time out of your day to visit them if they were to be in a facility.

Do Not Take Threats of Harm Lightly

Because of the nature of BPD, it is common for people who have this disorder to make suicidal threats and gestures. Because this is common behaviour, this often leads to friends and family of people with BPD to become desensitized to this kind of behaviour. This is very dangerous because even though someone with BPD has made suicidal threats in the past, but has not actually gone through with it, or taken action, they are still at a very high risk of actually attempting and completing suicide. Never ignore a threat. Instead, call 911 and let professionals asses the situation.

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Sources 7 Myths about Borderline Personality Disorder. (2015, February 13). Retrieved March 21, 2018, from https://psychcentral.com/blog/7-myths-about-borderline-personality-disorder/ Borderline Personality Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2018, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personalitydisorder/index.shtmlJennifer

Wright, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, Calgary, AB, T3M. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2018, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/jennifer-wright-calgaryab/340042sid=1521517467.5357_18860&city=Calgary&state=AB&spec=196&ref=1&tr=Res ultsRow Nordqvist, C. (2017, December 07). Bipolar disorder: Causes, symptoms, and treatment.

Retrieved March 21, 2018, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37010.php Personality disorders. (2016, September 23). Retrieved March 21, 2018, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/personality-disorders/symptomscauses/syc-20354463SaltersPedneault, K. (n.d.). 5 Keys for Coping with Borderline Personality Disorder. Retrieved March 21, 2018, from https://www.verywellmind.com/living-with-borderline-personality-disorder425379SaltersPedneault, K. (n.d.). How to Help a Friend With Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).

Retrieved March 21, 2018, from https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-help-a-friend-with-bpd-425221

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