MononokeMoon

I see what you mean. I have looked at forums for people with BPD and it made me really nervous reading the horror stories- how 'there's no hope for someone with BPD' and how we're 'incapable of empathy'. My therapist said BPD cannot be cured but can be controlled. I'd love to see a community where only success stories are shared to give people hope.

Thank you for suggesting metta meditation, I will definitely look into that. I guess the realizations are healthy, I just wish I'd realized certain things sooner. I carry guilt for hurting some people in my life without me even realizing in the moment. I was self-absorbed in my own mind. If only time machines existed and I could do things differently!

Yup. You can't heal if you don't communicate what's going on in your mind.

I was diagnosed with BPD just 9 months ago, previously mis-diagnosed as bi-polar. In my case, I lost the few good people that were around me before I was diagnosed. Since being diagnosed and starting therapy, things have become much clearer to me. For one I've realized how much of an asshole I must've come across to my previous friends and family. Rather than noticing the good people around me who probably would of been understanding, my attention was always drawn to people who treated me like shit and who I knew were bad for me. Then I'd suffer for it. If I had been diagnosed with my BPD much earlier and checked myself, the few friends who walked out of my life may still be here. I now find it very hard to get to know people who I'd like to surround myself with as I live with constant guilt. It's easier for some than others. So yeah, for people like me who the community is a good idea. I need to meet new people and learn from other people's experiences.

mmm.. bad wording by calling people with mental health issues 'unusual' I agree. That's not going to make someone suffering feel better by being told they're not "normal"....who is normal anyway? Everyone appears normal until you get to know them.

Yes I agree. When you struggle with mental health, you often feel like you are completely alone. But when you meet other's who are going through the same issues you are (or maybe worse) it makes you realize you're not alone and it's less frightening then. It's not necessarily about getting together and complaining or pitying one another, but it's about sharing your experiences to help people understand people more. If you bottle up anxiety or depression it makes it 10x worse, communication is key.