Stephanie Price Has Too Mild Of A Case
Posted by: Stephanie Price on: July 10, 2009
Some of you have been alluding to the fact that my case of BPD is too mild. In actuality, I do struggle with mood swings, unstable relationships, dissociation, splitting, fragmented, suicidal ideation , unstable sense of self and all that jazz. But, despite that adversity, I am relatively high functioning and this should be a cause for hope not criticism.
Maybe you feel that some of you can’t relate to me or I shouldn’t be talking since I don’t know how it feels. Well, I do know how it feels and I am here to show how things can be but may not be yet. I have come a long way and so can you. Sure, I’m not on meds or disability but I have been advised by my doctor to go on meds and I declined since I don’t want to be dependent on a chemical to keep my moods in check for the rest of my life. People naturally want others to share their misery, well I am not here to share your misery and perpetuate the cycle but rather to listen to your problems then help you find solutions. I am finding ways to cope and grow. I am finding ways to take back my power and if I can, so can you. I believe in you but for me to help you, you must first help yourself.
15 Responses to "Stephanie Price Has Too Mild Of A Case"
July 10, 2009 at 11:36 pm
I don’t feel I have a mild case, but like Stephanie I have my life basically under control. Suicide attempts, cutting, identity problems-all can be overcome.
July 11, 2009 at 6:47 am
Mild or not pain is still pain.
*hugs*
Keep up the good work. There are people out there who also happen to think your doing a great thing.
July 11, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I think it is outrageous that people judge you. Sunce when do people have the right to say that you have a mild case. Are they doctors? It does not matter the degree which the illness takes on, what matters is that you have done this all by yourself. You have acoomplished so much in your young years to get where you are now. That is something that should not be taken away from you at all. I am proud that you have acoomplished so much. You should be thanked for your hard work and dedication towards BPD. Thank You!
Rebecca Smith
July 12, 2009 at 2:35 pm
I really don’t think there is such a defined thing as a mild case of BPD. BPD is BPD and what might look like a mild case is usually evidence of an individual’s work in recovery and being on the road of recovery.
It is likely much more about insight and awareness and being open to the process of change and growth than it is about there being anything sometimes referred to online as “BPD Lite”
July 13, 2009 at 5:47 pm
It is quite entertaining how some view mental illness as a competition isn’t it? What’s even funnier is that if these so called persecutors bothered to pay any attention to LITC and what it is about, (i.e. read the mission statement etc etc etc) they would see that your focus is on the recovery process and on positive reinforcement.
It’s also important to understand that each person affected by a mental illness is in a different situation- say for instance, some people may be trapped in negative environments that don’t allow them to truly heal and grow. So, whats the best way (or the worst) to handle that? Deflection. In rare cases it’s the only way to stay sane.
It’s also imperative to understand BPD itself, and that while the general idea of the disorder is universal, not one BPD is going to be a mirror image of another. Why? Because there are 8 or 9 symptoms associated with the disorder, and one needs only to have 5 of these symptoms to be clinically diagnosed. Aside from this theory, there is often the complication of co-morbidity associated with BPD.
The bottom line is this…don’t make an ass of yourself by assuming anything…educate yourself before speaking…
annabella@
http://annabellasepiphanies.wordpress.com
July 16, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Too mild? As the others do, I’d say ‘This is not a competition’. I am high-functioning Borderliner too, ‘transparent BPD’. And I’ve met an un-penetrable wall in the psyciatric system, they say you are doing too well, but I am still in pain, I still suffer.
It makes me wanna do all the bad things, I want to be taken seriously too.
July 21, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Wow Stephanie, I’m really sorry you’re being judged for having “too mild” a case. Frankly, I think there are unique challenges for high functioning people with BPD because the suffering is less apparent but still very much there!
Being in the public eye as a representative of individuals with BPD is a very difficult task but a very important one. I hope this won’t dissuade you from keeping up your mission. LITC is a wonderful organization with so much to offer so many. Don’t give up!
August 1, 2009 at 11:15 pm
How long does this last? I don’t want to wait years before it goes away. I want to get better.
I hope you get better as well. It’s so great how you achieved mindfulness. I am so happy for you.
Mindfulness… is a step of this that I am doing yet I am really not achieving. Mindfulness is one of the most difficult challenges to do. I try to be mindful but it doesn’t last more than a minute or so. I just can’t focus. I don’t know if ADHD has anything to do with it… I just wish there was another way.
August 4, 2009 at 7:49 am
I have heard that you can grow out of BPD but I’m not sure. Mindfulness and stress management are important for everyone but especially for people with BPD. With proper treatment, support, and self help you can recover from BPD…As far as the time it takes, hard work can help but be patient and gentle with yourself…Celebrate ALL of your victories and focus on moment by moment change.Little steps can lead to big progress! Good luck!
August 25, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Wow. I am impressed with your maturity and level of commitment. I had not been diagnosed with BPD until after my late 20s–ummh, can we say train wreck after train wreck? I have been reading the work of Ellen Langer, a psychologist, who focuses on mindfulness, positive psychology, psychology of possibility as well creativity and art. One point that Langer makes, which has rung so true to me, is how comparing ourselves to others is a poor strategy that will result in disappointment and deflect from really understanding ourselves.
I appreciate your candor and creativity. There are many stories and film representations related to BPD that make me shudder. I like your style and the fact that you are so young–there is a spectrum of us living with BPD similar to other mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, etc. We, with BPD, have no real celebrities who are *out* and we do not hear so much about high-functioning folks living w/ BPD and how they have come so far. I want to be empathic and supportive of others struggling, but thank you SO much for being serious yet hopeful. I may never meet you, but thank goodness there are so many of us at different stages of our journey. I was so scared that I might not finish my doctoral degree, but it is people like you that help me identify strengths as well as weaknesses and (w/ professional assistance) inspire me to be creative about thriving and limiting my crash and burn sessions–or at least their impacts. Thanks! Silence is the worst and I am so thrilled that folks feel comfortable to write in and that we can all learn in the process. I want to be beautiful, smart and hopeful as well as honest about my BPD, but so many of the negative and distorted images (i.e. fatal attraction, etc.) were/are scary when you know nothing else. We are lucky to live in places like NY and CA where there are more folks dealing with BPD who are around and willing to share, meet and support one another.
August 26, 2009 at 6:44 am
Thanks C! My greatest satisfaction comes from inspiring and giving strength to others.
September 8, 2009 at 1:26 pm
It’s lucky that your case was diagnosed when you were young. I had all the signs since I was about 11 years old but wasn’t diagnosed until i was 26! It feels like my 20’s were a total waste. And at 32 I’m still trying to get at least one piece of my life together.
But I try to be spiritually aware and know that we are all here for different reasons and will all face a different path in life. Good luck to you and keep up the good work!
September 8, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Lori,
It’s never too late to get your life back together. Honestly, I feel like my teens were a total waste as I have lived with BPD symptoms for the past 6 years but have fortunately began the journey to recovery recently.
Finding meaning and discovering your values are key to living better, this principle is a part of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, a treatment found to yield success in the treatment of BPD. In finding meaning in my own life, I have inspired thousands like to me to do the same. Having a higher power in which you can trust can be a great source of strength during difficult times.
Good luck and keep in touch!
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July 10, 2009 at 4:51 pm
It’s too bad some people are trying to say you have a “mild” case of BPD… I didn’t realize this was a competition for some people… Having BPD is difficult.. PERIOD… whether you have BPD tendencies, or whatever; it is a daily struggle and we are all doing what we can to cope. Stephanie – just keep up your hard work and moving forward and don’t let anyone try to bring you down.