What helped at bottom?

Hey there, I am new to forums but I'm not really sure where else to go for advice from people with BPD.

So, I am a 22 year old female, who was diagnosed with BPD some time ago but for reasons unknown, I was not told for a couple of years, until about 6 months ago. For the last 5 years of my life I have very been a suffer of severe depression and anxiety which had me in hospital several times, but due to my "avoidant personality" I didn't follow through with treatments, as I felt like there was something fundamentally wrong with me.

When I got my diagnosis after a very rough patch (which I constantly seem to get myself into, which it seems might be a common thing) I was so relieved that I wasn't crazy per say, there was something that explained everything and started seeking help specifically for BPD and being aware of how I think etc.

But despite seeking help (doctor, psych and awaiting a psychiatrist to add meds onto my pristiq by the request of my psychologist) and trying to make the correct changes in my life (eliminating all of my destructive and self harming behaviors shy of smoking pot which I have become dependent on) I'm getting lower and lower. I feel like such a burden on my family and friends because they are expecting me to be somewhat better now and I'm not. I have lost 8 kilos from vomiting (which doctors have put down to stress and IBS) and I'm always sick with various infections and colds etc so I'm just physically and my life is in shambles. I realized I was not fit for relationships so have just cleared my mind of that which is fine, but I can't work or study when I am sick so often, and so i'm broke. I had to move in back with my parents a couple of weeks ago but it's not working.

Basically, my question is this. For people who have recently been diagnosed and are pulling their life together - how did you deal with things when they just weren't getting better. How did you stop yourself from becoming that 10% that doesn't make it, and stay focused?

When I hit bottom, I went on an anti-depressant and threw myself into my studies. If you have trouble focusing, you may want to talk to your doctor about that and see if meds could help. I also figure that you might not be able to afford good therapy right now, so look into DBT online. You can find some resources that can help for when you're feeling anxious or depressed- ways to cope and help regulate your mood. You may not be ready right now, but you are cut out for a relationship. In time and with a little bit of help. And your life is most likely not as catastrophically in shambles as you think it is. We tend to think things are more important than they are in the moment or feel like we can't get out of ruts when things become overwhelming. But life is full of ups and downs (especially with BPD) so many of us seem to manage to live it.

Also I'm sorry about the IBS stuff. Stomach issues are no joke. I think it's hard to improve your mental health when you don't have your physical health, so focusing on that may be necessary to do first.

I'm currently coming up from a down, although I realize your situation is more complicated than mine. I was dumped via text by a person I felt I truly care for and I believe truly cared for me, but couldn't put up with my issues, and I lost it. $hit happens. I'm coming off of my anti-depressant, so in the past few days I've been having a rougher time, but on the whole I've managed to feel a lot better in 2 weeks. I've kept myself very busy. Thrown myself into organizing my new apartment and schoolwork. I keep my mind busy. That's honestly the best coping mechanism, at least for me. When I'm alone and not doing anything, I start to feel my mood decline. I know you've been struggling with staying focused, but just trying and trying and doing little things that make you happy or feel accomplished is what works for me.

I like this J.K. Rowling quote when I think about my downs: “I was set free, because my greatest fear had already been realized, and I was still alive, and I still had a daughter whom I adored, and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life."

You're still alive and you have your parents and I'm sure you have other parts of your life that can still give you joy.

Rock bottom can be the greatest thing that ever happened to you. I think it has been for me. Every time I've felt like I've hit a low, it's been a reminder of how hard I need to work. It makes you realize the things that are important to you.

You won't be that 10%. F*ck that 10%. You're on here. You're seeking help. You can take this $hit and make $hit lemonade. Only place to go is up. It will get better. PM me if you need to vent or need anything.

when I hit rock bottom and realized something needed to change or else, I went to the clinic and got on medication and started attending a support group. it helped immensely.

good luck.

oh yeah, I also stopped drinking, because that was a big issue for me at the time.