Perhaps a little advice for a newbie, anyone?!

I have just been diagnosed with BPD and am finding it difficult to explain the symptoms are real to some of my friends and family, as sometimes it just seems like an exaggeration of normal, but I guess that is what we are!?
I have had symptoms for well over 10 years and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety about 5 years ago but always knew there was more to it. Finally after opening up to more people (sister) I found the courage to ask more questions at my GP and was referred to a psychologist and here I am. In some ways there was relief to finally have an answer although I was thinking it was bipolar which although is still an awful illness to have, the pills and mood stabilisers were becoming a great thought as at least its a quick fix. Unfortunately for us with BPD there seems to be so much unknown territory that I hope will be unravelled soon, as I need assistance with being able to hold onto my job and stop spending money that I believe will get me in more and more debt/trouble.
Does anyone on here have advice for me to take time off work for this as I am becoming a burden at work and believe that my anger and rage attacks will eventually have me lose my job, I am so not used to being looked down upon as someone who cannot cope. My oscar face has done me so well over the years at work but that has faded considerably and I am more paranoid than ever that I am being talked about and am letting the team down. I am currently looking for work but it is so hard to find something that I believe will be suitable. Perhaps someone on here can help.

This is the rough time for you. Having the symptoms is one thing, but getting the official diagnosis and hearing it out loud seems to make it 10x worse, even though it really isn't. On the upside, it does get easier to manage, from here on out. At least now, you know what you're dealing with!

What should you do? Not a clue. However, I'll give you my own experiences, and you can take what you want from them. Sound good?

Regarding telling friends and family, they're two different animals. I'm close with my parents and my maternal grandmother was known to have bipolar (possibly rapid, and maybe even Borderline PD), so broaching the subject of mental health, though very nerve-racking for me, did go into quite some detail.

My friends are a different animal. I didn't tell most of them and I have no intention to (not that I have a whole lot to begin with). The ones I did tell, I grossly over-summarized it as either "I emotionally over-react" or "it's like bipolar on fast-forward." Thankfully, my friends seemed satisfied with the explanation they were given. They don't need to know about the self-inflicted wounds, the overdoses, the breakdowns, the perpetual self-hatred or the suicide plan.

Friends will try to forget about it. At least, mine do. I think they don't like to acknowledge that there's a "crazy" in their ranks. It has limited my interactions with them, at times, but it also works in my favour, as I don't have to explain as much to them any more.

Taking time off of work is something that only you can really gauge. You know what your company is like and what your mental state is like on any given day, so you have to decide if you're having so bad a day that you can't work. I admit, I've stayed home on a very bad breakdown day or two, but I have a very relaxed company, and right now, my boss couldn't care less about me, so if I'm not there, there aren't any consequences. Most people don't have such a situation.

My one suggestion is to talk with the psychologist and see if there are any programs that you could get into. DBT and CBT are the two most popular ones for people with BPD, as both have strong track records in teaching people coping methods as well as ways of avoiding stressful situations in the first place. They're available in both solo and group, depending on what's offered in your area. Just something to check up on.

And, of course, there's always us. No, we're not a substitute for therapy, but we make a good sounding board!

Thank you Casper,
My psychiatrist is referring me to DBT I am waiting the details on that, so I look forward to taking some action against it.
My friends were ok when I told them I had depression, again the few friends I have also are the only ones I told. My sister was a great one to tell as her unhealthy obsession with mental illness and psychology have helped and her job consists of working with many mentally ill.
I have yet to tell my parents as we have recently lost my grandmother (the same day of my diagnosis) and my Mum was home caring for her so its a difficult time and I have yet to even bring up that I have depression, so they have a lot to hear at some point when I feel it is time.
My work is probably the worst part of all this for me. I am currently out of a relationship and have been for some time, so work is the only real part of my life that I have to socialise. My company are not as lenient as yours sounds. In fact they are so bad with this and especially the team I work with. My boss is the only person at my work that knows of my problems although has yet to know the full diagnosis. He has been somewhat considerate but he is under pressure so that's why I now see me as a burden to him. Throwing objects and punching screens, kicking cupboard doors and basic attitude to staff and customers is surely only a matter of time before I'm moved out.
The stress of all this makes my symptoms worse and as you remarked the now diagnosis has made me more aware and so also affecting my rage and anger. The thought of going back to work next week makes me sick and I see that becoming more harmful as the day gets closer.
My desperation here is obviously so real to all of you and I do feel alone a lot of the time with my issues so this forum will hopefully be a great plus for me.

Hey, welcome to this forum. It has helped me a lot. Hope even you'll get helpful advice.

Regarding angre, release it. Dont keep it inside you. I used to go on long walks, write stories, joined a gym.

Anger isnt a bad thing. at times anger is justified. like if someone slaps my kid, i would be allowed to get angry.

how i release the anger is whats important. try to find healthier outlets. i spent time on this forum. do things that you like. there is an off topic subforum here, where people crack jokes n talk about stuff unrelated to the illness.

the thing about anger is...it makes you do things you may regret later.

the health does get better. i am more stable than i was a year ago. this forum helped a lot.

take care...