Just been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder

[djrmrcbhyvf]

am in complete shock. What happens now? From what I have read there is no treatment as such plus I am likely to f**k up my kids' lives too

[CinnabarRed]

I have no experience of BPD but didn't want to read and run.

First, hugs to you - I'm sure it must have come as nasty surprise

Secondly, the fact that you're self-aware and have sought a diagnosis speaks volumes about you - and in a good way. Knowing this about you means that you have the capacity to adjust how you behave to minimise any negative effects on your DCs.

Thirdly, the Mind website has lots of information about BPD therapies. As far as I can see, you're right that there are no treatments to 'cure' you of BPD but there are lots of therapies that make BPD manageable. See here:
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/borderline-personality-disorder/therapies/#.VUCT9Jh0zIU Some of them are self-help therapies so you can start to investigate them while you wait for referral for the more structured therapies.

Fourthly, this is not your 'fault' and you did not 'cause' it, any more than someone with, say, depression or epilepsy 'caused' their conditions. It's not all of who you are, just one part. You are no different from the person you were before the diagnosis, but you now have better tools in your toolkit to cope with life.

I'm sure much more knowledgeable posters will be along soon, but I hope this helps a little in the meantime.

Very best wishes to you.

[CinnabarRed]

Here is the Mind web page on self-help:

www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/borderline-personality-disorder/self-help/#.VUCVU5h0zIU

[CinnabarRed]

And this is Mind's webpage on the long-term prognosis:

www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/borderline-personality-disorder/can-i-recover/#.VUCVi5h0zIU

Look - There is evidence that BPD symptoms may get better over time, with or without treatment. Research suggests that the majority of people diagnosed with BPD improve in the long term (10 to 15 years), with 50 to 75 per cent no longer showing enough symptoms to meet the criteria for the diagnosis

[CinnabarRed]

And this is about parenting and mental health (because you mentioned your worries about your DCs):

www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/parenting-with-a-mental-health-problem/#.VUCWHph0zIU

[MiracleQuestion]

Bumping for you.

[creamhearts]

I have this diagnosis. Google DBT which is the recommended treatment. I also take medication to help with the side effects. It is not 'incurable' or any of the shit you read about it. You can live a normal and happy life. x

[milkysmum]

I work with people with BPD. There ARE treatments. Are you currently under mental health services? Presumably you are if you have just been given the diagnosis?

[BoredOfLines]

Another BPD'er here. I had DBT last year and it was an absolute life-saver. The medication helps massively too, I've only ever needed quite a small dos e (I take quetiapine) and haven't had any major side effects. You'll be alright. The important thing is that you know what you're dealing with now and you're not alone.

[djrmrcbhyvf]

They haven't given me any meds except anti depressants which are not working. I didnt seek diagnosis, I was under a section 2 and they came up with this and sent me home.
Fed up.

[BoredOfLines]

That sounds pretty crap, not suprised you're fed up. Anti-depressants alone didn't do much for me (although I would sometimes have them on top of the anti-psychotics if I was feeling particularly bad). How long have you been taking them for? ADs can take a few weeks to kick in also.
Have you been referred to a psychiatrist yet? It took me a while to get referred to one but once I was under the care of the one I'm with now, things got better very quickly. If not, go to your GP and push for that referral. Push HARD. You have to, sometimes. It would be worth having a second opinion. Sometimes the ones you have to see when you're in hospital don't always get it right. I once got told by a community psychiatric nurse that I "just needed to smile more and keep your chin up". Yeah, thanks for that. There are some fantastic ones out there though, it's going to be a matter of finding one who isn't a complete tool and who understands you.
Keep posting here, there are a few of us who've been through it and can help in the mean time.