Living with borderline personality disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental illness that can cause affected individuals to have difficulty with interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behavior. It is characterized by intense and unstable emotions, as well as impulsive and risky behavior.
BPD can be a challenging condition to live with, as it can cause significant distress and disrupt a person's daily life. However, it is important to remember that with proper treatment, people with BPD can learn to manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives.

We caught up with Alike Advocate, Eren2273, to learn more about his journey with this condition.

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When were you diagnosed?

Unfortunately, I can't remember exactly when I was diagnosed, but the closest guess I have would be 2019-2020. I also don't remember the story behind my diagnosis

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Are there any other conditions you have?

I also have autism (diagnosed), PTSD (diagnosed), ADD (diagnosed), GAD (diagnosed), depression (diagnosed), DID/OSDD (undiagnosed but plan to get one), OCD (undiagnosed but plan to get one). As for physical conditions, I have scoliosis.

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What treatments and/or lifestyle changes worked best for you?

I've never had any professional help for BPD. It's just been me doing my best to help myself by not letting my emotions and fears control me.

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Is there anything you learned during your health journey that you wish you knew sooner?

What I wish I had learned sooner is that it's not the end of the world if you take a break from life, you have plenty of time and life will still be waiting for you when you're ready.

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How do you handle flare ups?

If paranoia, anxiety, splits, etc count as "flare-ups" in this context, I deal with it by doing breathing exercises to calm myself down, writing down what's bothering me so that I feel better after venting it, and many more things. Writing down your thoughts with this disorder can also be helpful to organize your thoughts.

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How has Alike helped you through your journey?

Alike has helped me by showing me a community with other people like me. It's very validating to see others who relate to my experiences, and I also like being able to help people when I can by giving them suggestions based on my experiences.

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If you have BPD, you might find it helpful to:

1. Meet with a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, who can help you develop coping skills and find healthy ways to manage your emotions and behaviors.
2. Practice self-care. This can include getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and engaging in activities that you enjoy.
3. Build a support system and join Alike. Surrounding yourself with people who are supportive and understanding can be beneficial. It can also be helpful to join a support group for people with BPD, where you can connect with others who are going through similar experiences.
4. Learn about your condition. The more you understand about BPD, the better equipped you will be to manage your symptoms and make informed decisions about your treatment. Gaining better understanding can also be done through the Alike app, where you can learn from the experiences of others that are going through the same. 

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If you are struggling with BPD, it is important to remember that you are not alone and that there is help available. Join the Alike community today!