Carers of family members with BPD\MH issues - are you out there?

[floramckitchen]

Hi - I have an 18 yo dd who is a recently diagnosed BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) sufferer. I am coping as best I can and working full time but could do with some support from some fellow carers.

I have had some brilliant advice on the Borderline Personality Disorder thread (thankyou SirBoob and Heffa) but feel we could all support each other in times of crisis.

[floramckitchen]

Hi all

Have just discovered that my dd is now teaching herself about Buddhism and has started meditating. She has bought some books etc etc. She told me she has to work on herself and not rely on others to fix her problems and has apparently recommended it at her therapy group with mixed reactions! I am so proud of her - she is working so hard to get well. So different from this time last year when she was on a MH ward.

She still has sleep problems and nightmares but they are happening less often now. I've got everything crossed that she doesn't slip back again.

Happy easter
Flo

Boofie - I hope you get to go away with your youngest dd. It sounds like a good idea to get some space and devote some time to her even if its just a day or two.

[Boofie68]

Hi Flo. It is so nice when someone posts good news. It makes me feel hopeful that there is hope for my dd and eventually she too might start to improve. Have a happy Easter. Boogie

[Sijeunessesavait]

Hi everyone

I keep an eye on this thread and was really pleased to read your news, Flora. Meditation and mindfulness are fantastic tools for everyone, and maybe your DD can give you some techniques too which will help you to support her. I have found that the calmer I am, the easier it is for my DD to recover from the tidal waves of emotion which sometimes overcome her, even now. I've just read this memoir which really helped me to understand what it must feel like to be so unable to control the intensity of emotions.

Boofie - I really hope you have managed to go away as you planned. It will do you good, and won't do your DD any harm. You and your family must put yourselves first while you have the opportunity to do so - it will fortify you for the time when your DD comes home. I remember crying all the way on the plane when we went away with our son but without DD, but there is no doubt that it did us all good to have a break, and it was important for our son (15) to see that we could be our 'normal' selves. More recently, it has been really good for DD (nearly 19) to know that we trust her enough to go away for a couple of nights, leaving her alone, and her confidence has been noticeably greater as a result.

Thinking of you all, and in awe of what you are doing for A, Gow. Remember to look after yourself, too!

[jaabaar]

Nothing to contribute except stating the desperation.

BIL1 in a home

BIL2 at MIL house suffering from psychosid induced by drugs. He is highly aggressive and attacked us when we checked up on him, also verbally abuse and tried to attack neighbours.
Police and mental health coordinator called several times. Doctor/police coming with court order to take him hospital.

MIL in hospital since a month with 7 operations following fourth suicide attempt.

Tomorrow hospital meeting regarding MIL. Then see Iif BIL has been sectioned and go see him.

Then sunday pick up other BIL for easter lunch.

In between having to listen to death threats every other day from BIL with psychosis.

It is hard. It is mostly hopeless. Nobody listens to family imput. They get assesed as fine. Then u find MIL in a pool of blood.

We keep trying to help as a family what else can we do.

And we have children.

This is life.

[Boofie68]

Hi All. Haven spoken for some time. I did go away, everyone coped and it was a nice break. Nothing has changed with my dd. she is still in a psychiatric ward, getting on for 7 months now. The professionals are going in front of another committee next Wednesday to see if they can get funding for her to go to a residential centre. Please keep everything crossed.

Meanwhile my youngest daughter, who has been relatively robust and happy until recently, has now started to talk about suicide and has begun self harming. I have been able to cope with my eldest but I'm now struggling. I can't believe it is happening all over again.


Anyway hope you are all enjoying the good weather and I think I need a glass of wine to cheer me up.

Bw Boofie xx

[Kingmga]

I've just joined mums net today so haven't read all of the thread. My daughter is 19 on Saturday and was diagnosed with bpd about a year ago. One suicide attempt ending up in a and e lots of self harm. She's had cbt and dbt and is on medication. I just want advice as to what to do when she's having a complete meltdown. Sobbing hysterically saying she wants to die I just don't know how to cope with it. I work full time but am so scared she will attempt suicide. Nothing so far seems to have helped. I feel useless and helpless and don't know where to turn

[ashtrayheart]

Hi kingmga, I've not been in this thread for a while. Sorry to hear about your dd. My eldest is nearly 18 and has emerging bpd - she has been in and out of hospitals and units since she was 15 and is now in a long term secure hospital.
It's easier for me because although it's horrible hearing my dd upset, I know she is as safe as she can be. Does your dd live with you? Does she have a cpn or social worker?

[Boofie68]

Hi Kingmga
My heart goes out to you. I, too, have been in your position and know how heartbreaking it is and how desperately you want to fix everything so that she can be happy. My dd is nearly 16 and has been in and out of hospital and I guess I'm just starting to realise that I can't fix it and make everything alright. All I can do is be there for her when she wants me to be. That is not to say that I don't still feel desperate sometimes and have a little weep. Is she able to work or be in education?
Hope you are ok. Boofie

[Boofie68]

Hi 1944. You must be exhausted lfrom all the stress. Some of your story sounds very familiar. My DD was diagnosed for a while with ADD and had multiple tests for Autism as the school insisted she exhibited traits although the tests didn't find anything. Sadly she also smoked cannabis and took drugs last summer and she wasn't paying for it with cash. She has also taken overdoses and self harms regularly. At the moment as she is still a child we still have control over her treatment and she has just gone to stay in a residential unit so we are having some respite. I dread what will happen when she is an adult and has control over her treatment. Does your granddaughter want to get any treatment for her paranoia? Will she consider therapy. My DD won't go out in the area where we live as she is paranoid but will go out further afield where nobody knows her. I'm sorry that I can't give you any helpful advice. My experience has been that we have had to fight for any support. Take care of yourself. Boofie