kireisceli
05-14-2004, 11:55 AM
I think I'm borderline.. and I can't get myself to get help... being most likely borderline and having severe panic attacks is preventing me from seeking out help in constructive way. Does anyone else with emotional disorders have any advice on how to actually get over my fears of reaching out for help?? I've tried emailing a psychologist but never heard back and now I just think that it's pointless. I can't pick up the phone and call because I have a panic attack and just slam the phone down.. What ever is going on with me (and all points sign to BPD) is ruining my life.. any suggestions would be welcomed.
Edit: This may need to be moved to the Personality Disorder Board. I didn't realize there was one. Sorry and thanks.
Edit: This may need to be moved to the Personality Disorder Board. I didn't realize there was one. Sorry and thanks.
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missbethers
05-14-2004, 10:22 PM
hi there... I feel your pain. It is very hard to reach out for help. I know I've tried a few times and been totally dissapointed. Many Docs don't want to touch BPD with a 10 ft pole. It's messy, and complicated. What I can say though is that I have been able to find good help. After many tries elsewhere I was referred to a nearby hospital that has a behavioral health program. In that program, I have seen a psych, gotten on proper meds, and learned many things in group therapy sessions. Don't get me wrong, this is hard stuff, I actually felt more unstable the 1st week. But it got better. I am learning better coping techniques, and learning to be mindful of my thought process and how to redirect those thoughts to something more positive. I started as a "partial hospitalization" (five days a wk, 5hrs a day) I am now going three days a wk, three hrs each. Although some people come more, some less (depends on what you need). You may need to sign a no harm contract, especially if you are a cutter (which I am). But I'm learning to replace those bad coping mechanisms with healthier ones. So my advice would be to check out the 4 closest hospitals near you and see if they have a behavioral health program. If they do, they may also have a program like this. It may or may not work for you, but I can tell you that it helped me a lot. Believe that you are worth getting help. There are some things in this world we have to surrender to and one of them is that you can not do this alone. This doesn't mean your not strong, but sometimes we all need help from others. If you do find one of these programs, you've got to give it a fair chance for it to help (at least 2 weeks, at first it may not seem to be helping, but things can turn around). Sorry to babble, I wish you lots of luck in finding help. An important thing to remember is not to give up, docs are people too and some of them are incompetent, some are jerks, some are just clueless, but some are really good, and finding that person takes some time.
Best wishes
Also, don't be so hard on yourself, if you try to call and hang up, that's ok, you can always try again later. Realize too, that you call the shots, just calling does not mean you're commiting yourself to something.
Best wishes
Also, don't be so hard on yourself, if you try to call and hang up, that's ok, you can always try again later. Realize too, that you call the shots, just calling does not mean you're commiting yourself to something.
crabbyroad
05-15-2004, 10:21 AM
Don't self diagnosis as yet, bi-polar is extreme highs and lows called cycling. In the meantime, do you have contact with family members who can call and make the appointment for you? And with panic attacks, its very good to have someone accompany you to your first appointments. Before any diagnosis is made, a full blood workup needs to be done to rule out hyper/hypo-thyroidsm, which mimics panic attacks, and a good general overall check up doesn't hurt, then you can get a better handle on exactly what you have, and be directed to support groups, therapy, and perhaps medications to suppress the panic attacks.
Crabby
Crabby
cth
05-28-2004, 05:57 PM
hi there... I feel your pain. It is very hard to reach out for help. I know I've tried a few times and been totally dissapointed. Many Docs don't want to touch BPD with a 10 ft pole. It's messy, and complicated. What I can say though is that I have been able to find good help. After many tries elsewhere I was referred to a nearby hospital that has a behavioral health program. In that program, I have seen a psych, gotten on proper meds, and learned many things in group therapy sessions. Don't get me wrong, this is hard stuff, I actually felt more unstable the 1st week. But it got better. I am learning better coping techniques, and learning to be mindful of my thought process and how to redirect those thoughts to something more positive. I started as a "partial hospitalization" (five days a wk, 5hrs a day) I am now going three days a wk, three hrs each. Although some people come more, some less (depends on what you need). You may need to sign a no harm contract, especially if you are a cutter (which I am). But I'm learning to replace those bad coping mechanisms with healthier ones. So my advice would be to check out the 4 closest hospitals near you and see if they have a behavioral health program. If they do, they may also have a program like this. It may or may not work for you, but I can tell you that it helped me a lot. Believe that you are worth getting help. There are some things in this world we have to surrender to and one of them is that you can not do this alone. This doesn't mean your not strong, but sometimes we all need help from others. If you do find one of these programs, you've got to give it a fair chance for it to help (at least 2 weeks, at first it may not seem to be helping, but things can turn around). Sorry to babble, I wish you lots of luck in finding help. An important thing to remember is not to give up, docs are people too and some of them are incompetent, some are jerks, some are just clueless, but some are really good, and finding that person takes some time.
Best wishes
Also, don't be so hard on yourself, if you try to call and hang up, that's ok, you can always try again later. Realize too, that you call the shots, just calling does not mean you're commiting yourself to something.
Best wishes
Also, don't be so hard on yourself, if you try to call and hang up, that's ok, you can always try again later. Realize too, that you call the shots, just calling does not mean you're commiting yourself to something.
cth
05-28-2004, 06:12 PM
Sorry I accidently re submitted someone else's post. I do want to answer and ask something. The advice to call a hospital is good. I am being treated for BPD with DBT in an out pt. hospital setting also. Give it a try. Ask for a complete evaluation first. Missbethers, do you feel that you are getting better. I have been going for a month and feel I am getting worse. I am certainly cutting more probably because they are so against it and won't let it be for a while. Are you doing DBT? I don't trust my therapist which is also a bad sign. You said that you had a hard time in the beginning and are feeling better now. Can you explain more? cth
catwoman1391
05-30-2004, 04:30 PM
Hi :)
I am borderline too. I had trouble phoning for help, and I also have panic attacks. What I would do, if you live in Canada, is call the Canadian Mental Health Board, or even find their website. They will ask you a few questions, and make an appointment for you to come in and see a psychologist. Then, usually, you will also meet with a psychiatrist. It can be very scary, but you have to see yourself as the most important issue here. It's YOUR life, and if you have BPD, it can be hell, you don't need to go through it alone. There are places in Canada where treatment and counselling is free - that is where I go. If you don't live in Canada, I'm sure you can research places for mental health....and be forceful if you need to. You deserve a better life!!! I wish you all the best, if the first one doesn't work out, just keep calling because there are caring people out there who will help you. If your panic attacks are preventing you from calling completely, one option is that you could see your family doctor, and he could prescribe an anti-anxiety medication that will help you out. I have success with Ativan, though I try to take them sparingly, when I feel a panic attack coming on. Good luck! :angel:
I am borderline too. I had trouble phoning for help, and I also have panic attacks. What I would do, if you live in Canada, is call the Canadian Mental Health Board, or even find their website. They will ask you a few questions, and make an appointment for you to come in and see a psychologist. Then, usually, you will also meet with a psychiatrist. It can be very scary, but you have to see yourself as the most important issue here. It's YOUR life, and if you have BPD, it can be hell, you don't need to go through it alone. There are places in Canada where treatment and counselling is free - that is where I go. If you don't live in Canada, I'm sure you can research places for mental health....and be forceful if you need to. You deserve a better life!!! I wish you all the best, if the first one doesn't work out, just keep calling because there are caring people out there who will help you. If your panic attacks are preventing you from calling completely, one option is that you could see your family doctor, and he could prescribe an anti-anxiety medication that will help you out. I have success with Ativan, though I try to take them sparingly, when I feel a panic attack coming on. Good luck! :angel: