I am a 28 year old female diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder with severe dissociative symptoms. Despite being high-functioning, I have been hospitalized three times in locked psychiatric units. In addition to other applicable diagnoses, I have been misdiagnosed with Schizophrenia and subsequently spent months as a living zombie due to incorrect medication.
I wanted to do this AMA in hopes that I can shed a little bit of light on the stigma associated with Borderline and how real life with the disorder differs from the sensationalized depictions described online or in media. It is so upsetting to see that online advice for someone concerned about dating someone with Borderline is simply: RUN. RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN. Society's caricature of the disorder make it easy to feel ashamed and isolate yourself.
I'm happy to answer any question at all. Thanks!
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[–] foxyface [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
My advice would be to encourage your loved one to add a professional to their support system. Because of the nature of personality disorders and how ingrained the traits are, family and friends can only do so much. And while the support a professional can offer is vital, the type of support family/friends offer is also invaluable. I would say that friends/family should prepare to have their patience tested and be committed to boundaries that they establish with their loved one. I think it is very important to set clear boundaries and hold them accountable for crossing them, each and every time. Consistency and communication are both very important. Also, I could imagine that it must be very hard to see your loved one struggle, but they have to find their own way and they have to want to do the work and make the changes. Don't blame yourself for their missteps, they are not your fault and you can not make the decisions for them. Just be there to remind them that they are capable of pushing through and getting back on track. It will take time, but it will definitely be worth it, for both sides.