Bordeline Personality Disorder

I lost Taylor to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). After 22 years of suffering with comingling issues from birth, never resolved, an inpatient psychiatrist identified her disease. He told her it’s incurable. No medication will help. Nothing except Dialectical Behavior Therapy would help, he said, and not for another year would she begin to feel better. DBT does help many people with BPD and the benefits to clearer thinking can be achieved. The problem is that people with BPD most often feel caught out, exposed, tricked, unable to feel safe in any exposure to another who could reject them. She didn't feel safe in therapy. Most therapists won't see people with BPD for this very reason. They usually don't follow through with therapy and there is no medication to help them.

The person with BPD does not suffer alone. Entire families and friends suffer along with those affected. People say there is a stigma attached. I disagree. I don't think people know what Borderline is at all.

Sadly, I lost a 22 year battle with Taylor in which some of this could have been alleviated or avoided with research, funding, and a better understanding of Borderline Personality Disorder. Several doctors and all of her counselors missed the diagnosis. For Taylor, she was—found out—and lost hope. She took her life on February 2, 2016. It’s time to stand up and educate people about BPD. I believe there could have been hope for her and that suicide was not the answer for Taylor.

Don’t give up. Text HELLO to 741741 or call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at: 1-800-273-8255 if you feel suicidal.

There are two articles I would like to credit for acknowledging Taylor’s and our family’s struggle to help her. Although these articles describe most of what Taylor suffered, she lived a very simple life full of love from friends, co-workers, and family. She devoted her time and her life to love and falling over-tummy-grabbing knee-slapping raucous and infectious laughter. She was a fierce advocate for people and animals. She showed an incredible force when she wanted to (and most often did) save a vast number of people and animals who suffered. She displayed a vulnerability and passion that will echo with everyone she touched…forever.

The first article describes the symptoms I shared with doctors and counselors from the time Taylor was 3 months old. Know them and share them. You can save a life.

http://evome.co/19-signs-you-grew-up-with-borderline-personality-disorderr/

Next, is an article with quotes from people who suffer with BPD and whose symptoms mirror Taylor’s:

https://themighty.com/2016/12/how-do-you-know-if-you-have-borderline-personality-disorder/

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the non-profit group, TARA4BPD, for offering some answers and findings through extensive brain research studies found around the world, as well as a commitment to finding a cure for Borderline Personality Disorder. Founder, Valerie Porr wrote the book: Overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder:  A Family Guide for Healing & Change.

I can’t change Taylor’s or my past. But, if you are or know someone who suffers with Borderline Personality Disorder, it’s time to find ways to alleviate the pain. Find a way to understand that they don't see the world as others. They don't understand what you think they should. 1 in 3 Borderlines die by suicide, not think about it. They die. 70% try to die. 2/3 of Bordelines try to die because they don't understand. Please help other humans who feel differently than you, who express their pain to you, who need you to tell on them when they try to kill themselves. Education, funding, and comprehension saves lives. But, you can love people who struggle and try to have compassion for those who struggle to simply stay alive.