By Ashley Nestler
When I received my #borderlinepersonalitydisorder (#BPD) diagnosis, my world came crashing down. While I was aware of the symptoms I was experiencing, I didn’t see the disorder within myself, or maybe just didn’t want to see the disorder within myself.
As a #mentalhealthprofessional, I knew about the #stigma surrounding #BPD. I had come across multiple #mentalhealthprofessionals who refused to work with clients with #BPD because it is so stigmatized.
Officially, #BPD is defined as a serious #mentalillness that causes a person to have trouble regulating their emotions. But as someone who struggles with this disorder, it is so much more than that.
For anyone who loves someone with #BPD, or is a #mentalhealthprofessional, here is what I need you to know about what it’s like to live with this disorder — and why you should hold your judgement.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
My emotions are all-consuming
Having #BPD feels like my emotions are constantly amplified. Being sad feels like being suicidal, anger feels like I am burning from the inside out and fear sends my heart into a pounding fit. When my emotions feel this intense, I often lash out because I have a challenging time understanding how to experience my emotions in a healthy way. My entire being becomes so consumed in how I’m feeling that I can’t think about anything else. I don’t mean to be so impulsive
These strong feelings often lead me to impulsive actions, such as binging and purging, self-harm or going on a spending spree. It is during these times of intense emotions that I often do things I regret afterwards, before I calm down and apologize if I’ve done something to hurt others.
I know relationships with me are not easy
My powerful emotions and impulsivity make all my relationships very intense, which is hard on those I love. I sometimes say things I don’t mean, such as “I hate you,” when I feel hurt or abandoned. This is called splitting, or seeing things in black and white, and I will go through cycles of idolizing and disliking anyone I become close with. It is because of this that many of my relationships are short-lived.
But when I love, I love deeply
The good thing about feeling things so strongly is that when I am happy, I am on top of the world, and when I love, I love with my entire soul. When I care for someone, I put my entire being into caring about them and I am always 100% genuine.
And I am always trying my best
I try so hard to regulate my emotions and decrease the amount of conflict and pain I may cause those I love, and I am always worried about how I am affecting others. Living with this disorder is a constant whirlwind of intense and often unbearable emotions, and I am constantly working to ensure that I don’t hurt others or myself. I often make mistakes, and my loved ones need to be patient with me, but it is also okay for them to feel frustrated. What I want you to know and understand the most is that a diagnosis of #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder is a clinical diagnosis, and that it should not be used as a judgement. #BPD is not an easy disorder to live with and emotional suffering is a frequent occurrence.
As someone living with #BPD, and as a #mentalhealthprofessional, I can personally tell you how difficult it is to live with this disorder. It is even more difficult to find help and support. Further understanding is the only way to break down the #stigma. If you have been diagnosed with #BPD, love someone with #BPD or are a #mentalhealthprofessional, I urge you to show yourself, or those struggling, deep compassion needed to heal.
Ashley Nestler, MSW and is a survivor of schizoaffective disorder, quiet borderline personality disorder, fibromyalgia, bulimia nervosa, obsessive compulsive disorder and Complex #PTSD. Ashley is an educator on borderline personality disorder and the creator of Releasing the Phoenix and The Ignite and Rise Academy. Website: www.releasingthephoenix.com.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
