Love & Relationships Q&A
Posted by: Stephanie Price on: January 3, 2010
Dear Dr. Aleks,
Hi…I’ve recently been diagnosed with BPD. It explains so much of my previous behaviour, and doesn’t frighten me like I thought such a diagnosis might.
I am in a very committed relationship, and whilst it is reasonably new (3 months) he is aware of my diagnosis. It doesn’t bother him, beyond him not knowing how to help.
Truth be told I’m not sure how he can help.
I also have Bulimia, which he has been wonderfully helpful and supportive with (haven’t purged for 6 weeks now!). But he seems lost on BPD.
I have tried to explain what it is, asked him to read some things (which he has) but I don’t think he understands. (which I suppose is usual for someone who is/always has been mentally healthy…how can he relate?)
Basically, I was hoping for some advice on how to explain how it affects me…a more pragmatic explanation than just rattling off the symptoms.
Any advice?
Cheers for this great project!
Zach
Help Us Better Serve You!
Posted by: Stephanie Price on: December 31, 2009
Please help us better serve you by completing our short 4 question survey.
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Upcoming PBS TV Series Covers Borderline Personality Disorder
Posted by: Stephanie Price on: December 30, 2009
This Emotional Life is a new series coming January 2010 to PBS. The three part series is hosted by Harvard psychologist and best-selling author of Stumbling on Happiness, Professor Daniel Gilbert. It examines how we can improve our social relationships, become positive, resilient people and it even covers mental health issues such as borderline personality disorder. It premiers January 4th 2010. Other interesting topics to be explored include addiction, intimate relationships, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, stress and anxiety, anger, and PTSD. If you watch it, be sure to come back and leave a comment about what you thought and any interesting information you learned.
The Only Secret to Personal Transformation
Posted by: Stephanie Price on: December 28, 2009
“Life is just a mirror of self. To change what you see in the mirror, begin by changing yourself.”
-Stephanie Price
Today I’m going to give you guys some of the good stuff, some of that positive, personal insight you know me for.
There are countless self-help books out there. You can even purchase software and multimedia and spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on this information. That’s all it is, just information. It’s great to indulge in this, I definitely do, but it’s how you use the information not really how much you have that makes the difference.
I have read tons of self-help books, watched videos, made notes, done dozens of exercises and listened to more CDs than I can count. All of the concepts sort of overwhelmed me. One guy would tell me to work on three habits per month and another would say just work on one until I had it done. But where do I start?
Top 10 Mental Health Advertisments
Posted by: Stephanie Price on: December 26, 2009
These ratings are based perceived effectiveness of message and production quality of the advertisements.
1#: A refreshing call to action.
This video is professional and clever. It has an artistic touch and the whole commercial is wrapped up with a message of hope and a strong call to action. Too many mental health PSAs either fail to leave a positive feeling with the viewer or don’t tell them what to do next. This video does a great job on all fronts and definitely deserves the blue medal.
Lights, Camera, Activism
Posted by: Stephanie Price on: December 23, 2009
New York City always crosses my mind when I think of a fast-paced, grandiose metropolis where go-getters can really shine. For the most part, I think this is true. My social enterprise, Love Is The Cure, has a chapter (aka regional affiliate) in NYC and they are even planning to coordinate a rally for BPD awareness in Spring of 2010. There are several NYC support groups for people with borderline personality disorder, in addition to a new movement I discovered several months ago.
Rethink BPD is is an independent documentary, website and social movement bringing the most in-depth portrait of the Borderline Personality Disorder experience to a national audience. The objective of the movement is to change how we see and treat mental illness.
I have corresponded with Amanda Wang, the Producer and Founder. She is pretty cool and is passionate about what she does. She also leads a support group in NY and has spoken at the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder & Yale University School of Medicine Conference, Borderline Personality Disorder, Trauma, and Resiliency in 2008 and has recently spoken at the BPD Resource Center / New York Presbyterian: The University Hospital of Columbia & Cornell Conference, Adolescent Pathology: Personality Disorders and Comorbidity.
You can actually participate in the making of this film by sharing your story and possibly being a character in the documentary. Boy, I wish I lived there. Check out details here.
Finally, Some Glitz and Glam
Posted by: Stephanie Price on: December 20, 2009
If a picture can paint a thousand words, a song can paint a million. Music is a dynamic and fascinating form of expression which can also be a great mental health awareness tool. Love Is The Cure is focusing on leveraging media as activism channels- video, images, ect. Kayla Kavanagh, a versatile solo music artist, is also taking a stand in the mental health awareness movement.
She successfully recovered from borderline personality disorder and has progressed to earn a Masters Degree and become a successful music artist and designer. She is an Irish multi-instrumentalist who works across a variety of genres, as an electronica performer, guitar-based Singer/Songwriter, pianist, Pop/Rock artist and classical/contemporary composer. She has performed at a national tour as well as at the Edinburgh Fringe Festivals and other festivals across the country. She will be one of the featured poster-children in the mental health awareness campaign which Love Is The Cure will be launching next year.
On 19th November, Kayla Kavanagh launched her special release single “On the Borderline” at the inaugural PD Congress in Birmingham. The 1st National Personality Disorder Congress was a two day event celebrating success – innovation, knowledge & understanding.
As an invited Keynote Speaker, Kayla was privileged to be a part of such an important event raising awareness of Personality Disorder. Her single sold out at the event, and is now available for download on her website.
I can particularly identify with the following line from her song. It describes the identity disturbance so many of us face everyday- the constant confusion and dissociation that plagues many of those with borderline personality disorder.
“as I look into the mirror now, I see strangers staring back at me..”
Bravo Kayla!
My Evil Borderline Girlfriend?
Posted by: Stephanie Price on: December 4, 2009
In a provocative article I recently read on BPD family DOT com, I discovered some disturbing views on borderline relationships as well as a few nuggets of suprising insight. The article takes us on a tour of the three stated phases of a borderline relationship. Not only are the names of these phases disparaging to individuals with borderline personality disorder but makes the reader feel as though all people with the disorder are evil. Aren’t we are here to promote hope and the value of the individual?
Every person with BPD is unique, Millon has stated that there are four variations of the borderline personality type. Yes, some can fit the description of this article. However, many people with the disorder are just as good and loving as everyone else, they just have great difficulty making these qualities visible. My romantic relationships have followed some of the patterns presented in the article, but not all. I also did not try to consciously hurt the person I was with. The article makes us seem like monsters.
Here is my least favorite paragraph in the article:
But, if like King Priam, you do fall prey to this Trojan Horse and let her inside your city gates, the first Berserker to leave the horse will be the devious Clinger. A master at strengthening her control through empathy, she is brilliant at eliciting sympathy and identifying those most likely to provide it-like the steady-tempered and tenderhearted.
If you have BPD or are/have been in a relationship with someone with the disorder, what do you think?
Back Soon!
Posted by: Stephanie Price on: November 24, 2009
My PC has been having some problems, it may be a virus for an actual problem with the laptop itself. We are working on fixing it and hopefully I will get some posts up soon and be back shortly.
Thanks for your continued readership and support!
The pH Miracle Diet
Posted by: Stephanie Price on: November 19, 2009
I have recommitted to the pH miracle diet created by Dr. Robert Young. This revolutionary nutrition program not only helps a person reach their ideal weight but also provides them with higher energy and lessens the risk of illness and disease. This diet is all about balancing your body chemistry and is starkly different from the Western way of eating. It even counteracts the respected food pyramid. I have been on the diet for about three days and I already feel cleaner, much more energized and have been staying well even though people around me have been feeling Winter illness. I highly recommend this diet to those of you who want to lose weight and even individuals who are already slim and want to feel a greater sense of wellness and well-being.
Some cons of this program are that it can be expensive if you don’t compromise a bit. I am on a lower budget, modified version of the diet. Another issue that pops up is hunger pangs. Most Americans are used to over-eating and eating three large meals per day. On this diet, your are encouraged to eat small meals and eat some snacks throughout the day. Also, scheduling your meals and drinking plenty of water, up to a gallon per day, can help tame cravings. The list of foods you can eat and ways that you can prepare meals is pretty strict, it takes a lot of discipline to embark on this endeavor, but it’s well worth it. I have also quit smoking as tobacco and alcohol consumption are prohibited.
Celebrities With Borderline Personality Disorder
Posted by: Stephanie Price on: November 18, 2009
We all love a little celebrity gossip, right? Several months ago, I released a list of celebrities who may have borderline personality disorder, this list included legendary pop culture icons such as Marilyn Monroe. Monroe has reached almost a poster child status with her widely accepted connection to the disorder.
How about some modern celebrities? Bon Dobbs, with the Anything To Stop The Pain blog, has been writing a lot of posts regarding contemporary celebrities who possibly have the disorder. Included on the list are some of my favorite actresses and singers such as…
Angelina Jolie: She is known for her eccentric lifestyle and has topped the list for borderline celebrity searches on google. Bon has dug up info detailing her extensive borderline symptoms including self-injury, poor self-image, suicidal tendencies, and volatile relationships from respected sources such as Rolling Stone Magazine.
Britney Spears: Continuously appearing in the news for her scandalous behaviors, I have long had her on the radar for a possible case of BPD. Now she is in the spotlight for her mood swings, inappropriate anger and reckless behavior.
Lindsay Lohan: From excessive drug abuse to stalking, this girl is out of control. She has a history of addiction, possible self-injury, reckless behavior, and disordered eating.
Now, if only these celebs would come out about their disorder? That would really help reduce the stigma and create awareness. But, some of them are so far gone (Lindsay especially) that it may actually make us borderlines look bad.
Love Is The Cure Photoshoot
Posted by: Stephanie Price on: November 14, 2009
Check it out! Photos of Stephanie Price taken by Anne Hargrove.
Photo By Anne Hargrove
Photo By Anne Hargrove
Photo By Anne Hargrove
Photo By Anne Hargrove
Photo By Anne Hargrove
Photo By Anne Hargrove
My Recovery Journal
Posted by: Stephanie Price on: November 12, 2009
Dear Diary,
Sometimes we must hit our weakest point aka hit bottom, to really commit to change and realize what your priorities should be. I had my priorities all screwed up. I was a workaholic- I used to keep myself busy every moment of the day to distract myself from my disorders (BPD and Bipolar Type I). In doing this, I was actually regressing since I was ignoring my recovery and failing to acknowledge how big my problems really were.
Over the past two months, I have really been experiencing some negative repercussions from these unhealthy behaviors. I have FULLY committed to recovery. I had to lessen my workload and create a recovery plan. I put together a binder of things I could do to get better- this includes limited time medication, weekly therapy, holistic recovery practices, and self-help tools and exercises which I do everyday (except when I get in a really bad mood).
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