Recovery From Borderline Personality Disorder Is Possible

Recovery from borderline personality disorder (BPD) is possible. I'm living proof. Recently, I ran across some old Facebook posts about moving into my own apartment and getting my own cell phone. That may not seem like much, but to me it's a huge victory. I am in recovery from borderline personality disorder--and I was once written off as a hopeless case. If I can recover from borderline personality disorder, so can you--you just need to find the right therapy, put in the effort, and recognize the small victories.

Finding the Right Therapy to Recover From BPD

When I first started having symptoms, I was told about a form of Christian counseling that could cure me. Long story short, it didn't. After two sessions the therapist said she couldn't work with me until I was willing to give up my anger. Under Texas law, where I was living at the time, anyone could be a therapist, so I had no recourse. When I found a psychologist, she said she'd seen a lot of people "very damaged" by that church.

When I returned to Indiana after a short stint in the Army, the therapist told my mother, "She'll drift in and out of institutions her whole adult life until they're tired of treating her."

I remember vowing to myself that I would get better. But the therapy they recommended wasn't working, and I reluctantly accepted their prognosis.

I hit rock bottom in 2008 and had a choice--jail, death, or the state hospital. I chose the state hospital and was accused of trying to avoid accountability for my actions. After four months getting substance abuse treatment but no treatment for my BPD, I was transferred to a unit designed specifically to treat BPD. This therapy worked.

It took years to find the right form of therapy, but once I found it, I showed significant progress in just nine months. I went from chronically suicidal to actually enjoying my life. I was released from the state hospital system, got a job I loved, and moved into a supervised apartment. Now I'm living independently, running a small freelance writing business, and have a book deal in the works. The right therapy is out there and recovery is possible. You just have to keep trying until you find it, and when you find it, give it time to work.

Put in the Effort to Recover from Borderline Personality Disorder

We've all heard the joke, "How many therapists does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, but the bulb has to really want to change."

There's a great deal of truth in that. All the therapy in the world won't do any good if the client isn't willing to change.

I had to get my butt kicked a few times before I learned this. I am a recovering alcoholic who was okay with being in active addiction until I realized that alcohol was making things worse, not bearable. I had to get sick and tired of being sick and tired. I had to want to get better.

Once I decided I wanted to get better, I had a new energy in therapy. I was willing to try anything the therapist suggested until it proved ineffective. When I learned about schema therapy, which is designed specifically to treat BPD, I jumped at the chance to participate--even if it meant giving up my freedom for a while. I put in the effort and I got better.

Recognize the Small Victories to Aid Recovery from BPD

I had to change my standards since the ones I had were unrelentingly high. First, I expected to be an award-winning journalist for one of the largest papers in the country. Then I expected to be a decorated soldier. It didn't dawn on me until after my discharge from the Army that my mental illness would make this almost impossible. I had to learn to recognize my limitations and accept them (How Not to Expect Too Much From Yourself).

Acknowledge the small victories--what comes easily to one person may be a major accomplishment for you. That's okay. Recognize that the playing field is not level and you were given burdens others can not bear. Run the race anyway, but recognize reality. You are running with extra weight. You are not going to be the next Usain Bolt, and that's okay. Compete against yourself and celebrate what achievements are yours.

Recovery from borderline personality disorder is real, and it's uniquely yours. Find the therapy that works for you, put in the effort, and recognize the victories you achieve along the way.

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