I think maybe I have BPD

But I think maybe it's not as bad as some people have. Are there degrees of BPD? It also seems like it started after a really bad event in my life around age 20. Does that happen? I started on birth control pills shortly after that and so I thought they were making me crazy. Now I've been off the pills for 4 years and I still feel the same.
I'm pretty sure my mom and 3 of my sisters have this too. One was diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder as a young teenager, but she left home and then never went back to a doctor again. None of us are actually diagnosed.

I've been looking up stuff on the internet and I want to get better so that I'm not so mean and unpredictable to my family. I don't want to give my daughter the same problems I have. I'm posting because I want to get a book on DBT and see if it helps me. Has anyone found that doing it on their own has helped, and if so which book is the best?

I'm afraid of going to a doctor about this because I don't want to be labelled. I'm paranoid that some circumstance would come up and they'd use it as an excuse to take my kids or something. And I don't have the money or support to go to a class.

I also read that IBS might be from emotional stress. I was wondering if any of you have IBS and did DBT help with that too?

Sorry for so many questions.

I have BPD, I have been in and out of mental health care and I have an 18 month old daughter. It's about getting help, not hiding.
If you're worried, see a Doctor but do not label yourself, that makes you worry more.
We cannot diagnose you either, you need to seek a professional medical opinion.

Fair enough. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable.
I am still interested in any comments on DBT.

https://www.google.co.in/?gws_rd=cr&ei= ... ning+manua

go to the first option in the webpage.
or type this in google search
www.bipolarsjuk.se/pdf/Handbook%20in%20DBT%20Group.pd

good luck and keep us posted how it goes

ireesepective of whether you have bpd or no or any other pd, if any challenge inteferes with your life and makes you unhappy, one must strive to fight it. it can be bpd or a physical ailment or the neighbor's barking dog. as long as you're seeking help it's ok and you are seeking help on this forum so that's one step in healthy direction.

jaus tail wrote:http://www.bipolarsjuk.se/pdf/Handbook% ... 0Group.pdf

Thank you I was wanting that!

edit: you forgot the F on pdf.

elfinmom wrote:I also read that IBS might be from emotional stress. I was wondering if any of you have IBS and did DBT help with that too?

i do not have IBS, but I have heard that emotional stress can make IBS worse. DBT can help reduce emotional distress. Whether or not there is a direct correlation, I doubt there is any evidence for that. You can also check out www.dbtselfhelp.com for more info on DBT.

Thank you for the dbt link. Last night, after the kids went to sleep, I tried washing the dishes and keeping my mind on what I was doing. I'm shocked at how many negative thoughts kept coming into my head that I'm usually unaware of. Negative assumptions about what people are thinking of me mostly, and playing through negative scenarios. Focusing on the dishes was like a mini vacation. No wonder I'm stressed all the time. It's going to be really hard to change.

That's an excellent use of mindfulness! great work!

If you like to watch movies, watch "the peaceful warrior". It's not about bpd, but your recent discovery while washing dishes reminded me exactly how my first real attempt at mindfulness came at some ordinary moment just like that.

if you like to read, "the power of now" by eckhardt tolle was super helpful to me in starting to learn the practice of mindfulness.

imho, mindfulness is the easiest to learn and practice, and the most helpful thing i have personally tried, to start taking back control of negative thoughts. i know there's a lot more aspects to work on for bpd and the other issues you might be dealing with, but that is a great place to start!

i also repeat another post, you are here taking a significant step towards health regardless of your diagnosis. i wish you the best.