#actuallymentallyill
This is a masterpost for family, friends, and partners of those suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder.
Note: If you are seeing a reblogged version of this, be sure to check the original post, because I will be updating this post as I find/create more resources.
* * * Read this before asking us a question about an abusive loved one with BPD. * * *
Resources
- Tips for loved ones of people with BPD
- 7 Tips for when you know and love someone with BPD
- Being supportive of your BPD loved one
- How can I support a loved one with BPD?
- What are some tips for helping partner when I’m also mentally ill?
- My loved one thinks I’m not trying, but I am?
- Why does my borderline loved one keep “making up problems”?
- Advice for addressing my loved one’s irrational fears?
- How do I help my loved one understand I’m not going to leave them?
- My loved one keeps ignoring/avoiding me?
- What are some misconceptions about BPD?
- What kind of stigma do they face, and what is the truth?
- More information about borderline stigma?
- What is it like to have BPD?
- I would like to know more about people with BPD in relationships?
- How can I help a suicidal loved one?
- How to help a friend with BPD
- How can I be there for my loved one and also take care of myself?
- What’s the best way I can ask my loved one what they need from me?
- How can I end a relationship with someone who has BPD?
- How do I deal with being their Favorite Person?
More Information about Borderline Personality Disorder
- What is BPD? What is the diagnostic criteria?
- How common is BPD?
- What causes BPD?
- General overview of BPD?
- Important BPD Terminology
- What is a Favorite Person?
Recommended Reading
- Skills Training Manual for Treating Borderline Personality Disorder
- The Borderline Personality Disorder Survival Guide
- Lost in the Mirror: An Inside Look at Borderline Personality Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder Demystified
Recommended Links
- DBT Skills and Related Info Masterpost
- What’s wrong with the book Stop Walking on Eggshells?
- What’s wrong with BPD Family?
- What does it mean to be “neurotypical”? “Neurodivergent”? “Allistic”?
- What is executive dysfunction?
- Can I reblog your posts even if I don’t have BPD?
- Can I send you vents or ask for personal advice?
this is my absolute favorite BPD blog out there, and i found this resource post to be very helpful and informative. not only for me helping loved ones understand the how i feel, and how they should approach each situation, but i found it really helped me understand myself on a whole new level.
Agreed,@shitborderlinesdo is wonderful ♥
Here are a collection of posts to help you decide whether or not you may possibly have Borderline Personality Disorder:
- The Borderline Personality Disorder Checklist
- The BPD Checklist (Quiz Version)
- What is similar to BPD?
- I relate to ______ symptom. Do I have BPD?
- I don’t have _______ symptom. Do I still have BPD?
- I think I have BPD, but my therapist/psychiatrist doesn’t agree?
- I experience symptoms differently from what I’ve read. Do I still have BPD?
- Can I still have BPD even if I “seem normal” to other people?
- Can I still have BPD even if I don’t have the more “stereotypical” symptoms?
- Can I still have BPD even if have some “opposite” symptoms?
- Can I still have BPD if I don’t relate to blogs about “BPD feelings”?
- Can I still have BPD even if I don’t relate to the “simplified” description of it?
- Sometimes I relate to BPD relatable posts, and sometimes I don’t?
- Are there any REQUIRED symptoms of BPD?
- I was diagnosed with BPD, but I don’t think I have it?
- How can I get diagnosed?
- Can I have BPD even though I did not have a traumatic childhood?
- I’m a teenager. How do I know if it’s BPD or “teenage hormones”?
- Can minors be diagnosed with BPD?
- I can go weeks with borderline symptoms and then weeks without?
- Maybe I’m just faking it?
- I feel like I didn’t experience these symptoms until I read about them?
- Can I have BPD if a family member has it as well?
- Do I have these symptoms or am I adopting them/faking for validation?
- Do I need an “official” diagnosis in order to be valid?
- Does SBD support self-diagnosis?
- What is the best way to self-diagnose?
- Can I self-diagnose, even if I am underage?
- Is it okay for me to self-diagnose even if I am able to see a professional?
- Does self-diagnosis hurt those with a professional diagnosis?
- 20 Things Only Someone with BPD Can Understand
- What do I have if I don’t have BPD?
- I definitely don’t have BPD, so what is the “opposite” of BPD?
- Can you still have BPD if you only experience negative emotions?
- What is a Favorite Person? Do I need to have one to have BPD?
- What is the difference between a Favorite Person and a Depended?
- How can I figure out if this is BPD or bipolar?
- Does it matter if I express my symptoms internally or externally?
- I relate to blogs about BPD but not the criteria?
I don’t usually comment on posts like this but for over an entire year I suffered majorly from panic disorder experiencing DOZENS of panic attacks a day, to the point where it was a problem for me to leave the house or even my bed! Until one night i was freaking the Fuck Out, i was like! Screw it! I’ll make a run for it! I left the house at like 2am and just walked. Run a little occasionally and get REALLY angry while doing it and the panic would disappear! Instead of giving my head room to panic i’d give myself a goal: just walk around the block twice and THEN see how you feel. And reeaaally focus on that goal. Sometimes it’d take 3 hours to pass and sometimes only 10 minutes, but not once, to this day, has just getting out there and give into the fight or flight response not helped. By taking action you’re tricking your brain into regaining control when you feel out of control during panic/anxiety!
If u scared? Fuck it! Run!
[Start I.D.: therapist Hack: anxiety is physical, so it needs a physical response, AKA fight or flight, take a walk for ten minutes it tricks your brain into thinking you’re running away, you will start to feel relieved. End I.D.]
this is about half of why tai chi works
or if you dont know how to tai chi, ‘earthbender breaks’ work just as wellAdditionally to walking, biking does something similar while:
1) taking pressure off knees, feet, joints
2) some might feel socially anxious and not want to converse passing people on foot… you can just zoom on a bike and no worries
3) similarly the brain can be something of an ouroboros and by giving the reptilian brain (which controls muscle memory, driving, things you don’t often actively “think” about) an activity as simple as turning some pedals and steering… it gets the fuck out of the way.
Both are good at guiding the brain towards constructive thinking imo
If it’s not safe for you to walk around the block (especially at night), then maybe pace around in your kitchen! Personally, I live in a gated apartment complex, so that helps if I want to walk at night - and if you’re in a gated community that feels safe, then I would recommend staying inside your gated community if you do walk outside! And make sure that you always have your phone / keys!! ♥
And if you can’t run or walk when anxiety hits (i.e., at work), then try stimulating movement by doing leg movements!
P.S. - If you can’t walk for any reason (maybe you’re in the hospital, or your legs are broken / paralyzed), but you can still move your upper body - you can try appeasing the “fight” response instead by punching a pillow to release the anxious energy! :) ♥
