Key Points from Lisa Parker's Lecture on Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Introduction

• Speaker: Lisa Parker
• Diagnosis: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
• Lisa’s journey of being in and out of the mental health system since age 17.
• Accurate diagnosis attained only five years ago.

Impact of Undiagnosed BPD

• Personal Life: Affects relationships, professional life, and self-perception.
• Emotional Challenges: Overwhelming emotions, feeling betrayed and abandoned.
• Stigma: Difficulty in accepting the diagnosis due to societal stigma.

Importance of Accurate Diagnosis

• Finding a clinician who diagnosed and treated her with BPD was crucial.

Living with BPD

• Emotional Regulation: Difficulties in controlling emotions.
• Relationship Challenges: Hot and cold dynamics, betrayal, and abandonment feelings.
• Identity Struggles: Lack of steady identity, feelings of emptiness and loneliness.
• Risky Behaviors: Promiscuity, fast driving, self-harm.

Therapy and Recovery

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Incorporates mindfulness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance.
• Group Therapy: Sharing experiences with others with BPD was therapeutic.
• Practice: Importance of applying skills learned in therapy to daily life.

Support and Community

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): A valuable resource for support, reading materials, and connecting with a community.
• Blog and Support Groups: Provide learning and support through shared experiences.
• Breaking Stigma: NAMI helps in reducing the stigma associated with mental illness.

Personal Growth and Message

• Acceptance: Emphasizes not being solely defined by mental illness.
• Hope: Encourages seeking help and trying multiple avenues if initial attempts are not successful.
• Message to Younger Self: Believe in one's worth for support and help.

Conclusion

• Lisa’s story aims to encourage others to seek timely help and support, emphasizing that recovery is possible and worthwhile.