Filled with hope and looking for support

[Simone.]

Hello everyone! Where to begin...

I've been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder with some avoidant traits. I have been struggling with depression and anxiety since elementary school (I am 22 now).

Up til this point, I have been in and out of hospitals and treatment centers and passed around from therapist to therapist. I was heavily self- harming and abusing alcohol and other substances. A few months ago, I was sent to yet another center after a suicide attempt. 

Let me tell you, it changed my life. I was introduced to DBT, which has truly saved me. I am finally on the correct medication which has seriously reduced, if not stopped, my horrid intrusive thoughts and paranoia. Before, I was to the point I could hardly get out of bed, and already had to drop out of college and leave my job. Now, I have rediscovered my love for art, I am waitressing (something I would have NEVER thought possible) and- best of all- my relationship with my fiance is SO much better and we are back to planning our wedding.

I am back to seeing a therapist regularly, and she is awesome. I've finally confronted issues with my toxic mother and am opening up about traumatic childhood experiences as well as working through family therapy with my father (and my mother, when he can convince her to join). 

The fact is, life is GOOD, I am somewhere I thought I would never be and I am incredibly grateful. I'm back here to recieve support now that I am more stable and moving forward into uncharted territory in my life. Thanks for being here and reading.

Edited April 15, 2018 by Simone.
Wrote disgnosis wrong

[CeremonyNewOrder]

Great to hear a success story! It takes awhile but we finally get the right diagnosis, get on the right medication combo and receive the therapy appropriate to our condition. Good luck!

[echolocation]

welcome to CB, simone!! it's so nice to hear that you're doing so much better. hope you can find the support you need here as you continue to recover. :-)

[Blahblah]

Welcome! Great to hear success stories and what specifically worked for you. I also did a year of group DBT (quite awhile ago) and found it helpful but realize that I need to keep pushing myself to use the skills, otherwise it's easy to fall back into old/bad patterns.

There was a DBT Skill of the Day thread started under the Therapy section of this site. Feel free to also post there, It might encourage people (including me) to get back into practicing!! Again, congrats.

Edited April 19, 2018 by Blahblah

[Rabbit37]

Wow, sounds like you’re in an excellent place in recovery! Welcome, and this is a fantastic place for support from us MI folk who come from all experiences.