Psycho-Babble Social Thread 727241

Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 35. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?

Posted by Deneb on January 27, 2007, at 17:49:01

I'm a lot better these days, but why am I still doing deliberate self harm to myself?

I remember when I was always thinking about death and suicide. I remember when I got really socially anxious and paranoid. I'm not that way anymore. I'm not depressed now for whatever reason.

Why am I still harming myself? What's wrong with me?

I don't think there is anything really wrong with me. I think it's all psychological. I don't think there is any med out there that can help me stop harming myself. I'm already better. Meds have done all they can for me already.

I think I have a permanent adjustment disorder. I think I'm having some sort of life crisis.

I think I have a borderline personality disorder. It's all psychological. Only therapy can save me. I don't know why I have a BPD. I've never been abused. What the heck is wrong with me?!

I'm so much better these days, but I'm still doing so poorly! I can't get my life together.

I think I feel better now, but I still don't know how to deal with problems.

I need to live life.

Just rambling.

Deneb*

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?

Posted by Deneb on January 27, 2007, at 18:24:04

In reply to I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?, posted by Deneb on January 27, 2007, at 17:49:01

Do I have a borderline personality disorder? Is it a mental illness? Is it serious?

Opinions?

Am I just a bad and lazy person? What's wrong with me?

Deneb*

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » Deneb

Posted by sunnydays on January 27, 2007, at 18:33:16

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?, posted by Deneb on January 27, 2007, at 18:24:04

Ask your pdoc what she thinks, Deneb. She's the only one qualified to make a diagnosis about you. And she'd probably share what, if anything, she thought you had if you asked. You know, it's hard going from being a teenager to an adult. It's stressful. I think that can account for a lot of things, at least for me. Stress can accentuate any maladaptive coping strategies we may have. Good luck Deneb. But I definitely don't think you're bad or lazy. I can't give an opinion one way or the other on a diagnosis because I just don't know enough.

sunnydays

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?

Posted by laima on January 27, 2007, at 19:11:42

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » Deneb, posted by sunnydays on January 27, 2007, at 18:33:16


I still vote for looking into DBT ASAP! They specialize in helping not just people with Borderline Personality Disorder, but all sorts of people in severe emotional distress and pain. They are very well respected for being very, very effective. I bet they would not only answer your questions about BPD, but also get you started right away on a solid, directed program for feeling better much more in control. I sure do wish you would look in to it. Especially now, when you are are experiencing a window of doing a bit better- what better time to try to locate a program? Ask your doctor, and if he or she doesn't know or has no clue, call around the universities, the various hospitals. I sure hope you at least consider it. It could be one of the best things you do for yourself.

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?

Posted by laima on January 27, 2007, at 19:19:21

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?, posted by laima on January 27, 2007, at 19:11:42


Deneb! Did you see zazenduckie put this link for you into your thread, above?

http://www.camh.net/About_CAMH/Guide_to_CAMH/Addiction_Programs/Concurrent_Disorder_Service/BDP_clinic.html

Why not look into it, now that the research was done, and let us know what you think?

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » laima

Posted by Phillipa on January 27, 2007, at 19:33:41

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?, posted by laima on January 27, 2007, at 19:19:21

Great Idea and you might want to post on psychology board. Love Phillipa

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » Deneb

Posted by Kath on January 27, 2007, at 20:01:08

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?, posted by Deneb on January 27, 2007, at 18:24:04

> Do I have a borderline personality disorder? Is it a mental illness? Is it serious?
>
> Opinions?
>
> Am I just a bad and lazy person? What's wrong with me?
>
> Deneb*


Hey Deneb, this link was mentioned in a post above.

It will probably be useful.

http://www.camh.net/About_CAMH/Guide_to_CAMH/Addiction_Programs/Concurrent_Disorder_Service/BDP_clinic.html

I don't know how to copy it so you can click on it. It's in a post above about DBT in a thread you were in.

hugs, Kath

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?

Posted by Kath on January 27, 2007, at 20:03:35

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » Deneb, posted by Kath on January 27, 2007, at 20:01:08

There Deneb - I didn't read it til now - Laima posted that link in 'blue' form.

K

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » Deneb

Posted by tofuemmy on January 27, 2007, at 21:11:42

In reply to I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?, posted by Deneb on January 27, 2007, at 17:49:01

Plenty of people with BPD have not been abused.

If you read Linehan's work, she states that BPD is caused by an "invalidating environment". For instance, if you say, "Mom, I'm hungry" and she says, "No,you aren't, shut up.". Mom is invalidating the thoughts, emotions, and physical essence of this child. If this goes on constantly throughout a childhood...the child ends up feeling a unsure of their emotions, and not in touch with their physical self. Not whole and separate and adult....blah blah. Go read the book, K?

em

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » tofuemmy

Posted by Phillipa on January 27, 2007, at 21:56:52

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » Deneb, posted by tofuemmy on January 27, 2007, at 21:11:42

Emme that's what my Mother did so she was Borderline a pdoc said that once but she died when I was l7 so I'll never know for sure. Love Phillipa

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?

Posted by Deneb on January 27, 2007, at 22:09:03

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » tofuemmy, posted by Phillipa on January 27, 2007, at 21:56:52

Thanks for the link about DBT. I don't know if DBT is for me. I don't think I have a severe borderline personality.

I think I'm OK. I'm just desperate about my school situation and I have no direction in life.

I'm worried my pdoc thinks I'm hopeless now. I've seen her so so long yet I'm still doing poorly. I feel better than before, but I still have so many problems!

I definitely feel better now than before, much better. I still have my bad days, but I'm much better now.

It's still not enough. I need to increase my productivity.

Deneb*

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH » Deneb

Posted by Michael83 on January 28, 2007, at 0:02:56

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?, posted by Deneb on January 27, 2007, at 22:09:03

Deneb, just focus on what you're going to to, not what you haven't done. Just slow, a step at a time, and eventually you'll get where you want to be. The way you blame yourself is so unfair. You'll be fine. =)

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » Phillipa

Posted by tofuemmy on January 28, 2007, at 0:05:32

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » tofuemmy, posted by Phillipa on January 27, 2007, at 21:56:52

I think you misunderstood. That behavior could, per Linehan, result in a child with BPD.

em

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH

Posted by 10derHeart on January 28, 2007, at 0:06:41

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?, posted by Kath on January 27, 2007, at 20:03:35

>>Laima posted that link in 'blue' form.

And so did you!

>>I don't know how to copy it so you can click on it.

oh yes you do, 'cause you did! :-)

(fyi...I think the thing is, when writing a post w/a link in it, it doesn't look different *then* - but, as soon as you confirm and post, it shows up correctly... the key is getting the http:// in there, if I recall...)

Don't sell yourself short....and I know you can even chat in any color you want to now, too ;-)

And Deneb, that's a great link. Hope you explore it. Looks to me like if you check the "Contact us" area they have a regional office that might be closer for you. Don't know if the DBT groups are only in Toronto, but it sure wouldn't hurt to find out more info...

I can't remember, have you ever brought up DBT to your T/pdoc? If it's feels weird or uncomfortable, you could bring some posts where others have suggested it, and kind of frame it that way, since I think I recall she's pretty much in favor of the support you get from Babble and Babblers. It's a thought....from me to you.

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » Deneb

Posted by madeline on January 28, 2007, at 6:54:41

In reply to I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?, posted by Deneb on January 27, 2007, at 17:49:01

I think you need to ask yourself what you really want and what you are prepared to do to get it.

If you want help in dealing with self-harm issues, then DBT is one way develop the skills to deal with it.

DBT is independent of borderline personality disorder - which may or may not even exist in my opinion.

But it's up to you to decide for yourself (obviously).

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » Deneb

Posted by Larry Hoover on January 28, 2007, at 8:11:50

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?, posted by Deneb on January 27, 2007, at 22:09:03

I collected two posts together, and did some editing:

> I don't think there is anything really wrong with me. I think it's all psychological. I don't think there is any med out there that can help me stop harming myself. I'm already better.

Maybe for now?

> I'm so much better these days, but I'm still doing so poorly!

I want you to focus on this apparent contradiction. It is the dialectic you struggle with.

> I think I have a borderline personality disorder. It's all psychological. Only therapy can save me.

That's insightful. Very insightful.

> I don't know if DBT is for me.

I would ask that you take another look at it. DBT is not just for borderline personality disorder, although it was first used there. It is a technique. A tool. It is used for behaviour modification in a number of psychologically distressing mental health issues.

I snipped (and slightly edited) the following from a descriptive website, employing the DBT technique for an entirely different diagnosis than the one you are worried about. See if these *ideas* aren't what you seek.

"DBT assumes that self-destructive behaviors are maladaptive attempts to avoid or diminish intolerable negative emotions. The focus of DBT is to teach these patients to face, reduce, eliminate, and/or tolerate their painful emotions. The four components of DBT are:

1. Mindfulness training (becoming aware of emotions).

2. Emotional regulation (reducing or eliminating negative emotions).

3. Distress tolerance (learning to tolerate painful emotions).

4. Interpersonal effectiveness (interpersonal skills training).

Patients use “diary cards” to record emotional experiences, behaviors, and the DBT skills they practice. Patients also complete “Behavioral chain analysis” forms where they record sequences of situations, internal reactions, and maladaptive behaviors. Each week, patients discuss this information in the first hour of their group session. In the second hour, patients learn and practice new skills. Each patient also has one individual therapy session per week.


Here are some DBT techniques described by Wiser and Telch:

1. Mindfulness training: Learning to fully experience thoughts, emotions, and action urges without attempting to suppress them or judge them, and without experiencing secondary emotions such as guilt or shame.

2. Identifying the antecedents and consequences of emotions.

3. Becoming aware of the bodily responses that accompany negative emotions.

4. Understanding the relationship between cognitions and emotions, and modifying cognitions that evoke negative emotions.

5. Learning adaptive methods of coping with negative emotions: relaxing, taking walks, socializing, taking a warm bath, listening to soothing music.

6. Getting adequate sleep and reducing excessive exercise and the use of drugs and alcohol.

7. Reducing negative emotions, for example by facing rather than avoiding feared situations, and by revealing rather than hiding feelings of shame.

Alert readers may have noticed a conflict between technique #1, experiencing emotions, and technique #7, reducing negative emotions. This conflict is the primary dialectic, from which DBT derives its name."

Lar

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?

Posted by laima on January 28, 2007, at 9:00:21

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?, posted by Deneb on January 27, 2007, at 22:09:03


DBT is also for people with depression and anxiety.


> Thanks for the link about DBT. I don't know if DBT is for me. I don't think I have a severe borderline personality.
>
> I think I'm OK. I'm just desperate about my school situation and I have no direction in life.
>
> I'm worried my pdoc thinks I'm hopeless now. I've seen her so so long yet I'm still doing poorly. I feel better than before, but I still have so many problems!
>
> I definitely feel better now than before, much better. I still have my bad days, but I'm much better now.
>
> It's still not enough. I need to increase my productivity.
>
> Deneb*
>
>

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH

Posted by cubic_me on January 28, 2007, at 12:00:19

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH?, posted by laima on January 28, 2007, at 9:00:21

As part of some work experience I sat in on some DBT sessions (with full consent of the clients). It was for people with eating disorders, not borderline people, but focused on lots of things in their lives, not just their eating.

DBT was origionally applied to people with borderline personality disorder, but since then people have found it really effective with people with lots of other dificulties.

Deneb, therapy isn't something magic that will 'fix' you, you've got to put in a lot of work. You've got to be willing to change and willing to let people help you, but there's definately help and hope out there for you if you look hard enough.

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH » 10derHeart

Posted by Kath on January 28, 2007, at 13:21:38

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH, posted by 10derHeart on January 28, 2007, at 0:06:41

Hi T,

Thanks!! - you're right - it did turn out as a clickable-on link address!!! Yay.

And yes - I CAN chat in colour now!! I tried it. Now it's just a matter of being on here when there are people on Chat! LOL

Hugs, Kath

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » Larry Hoover

Posted by Kath on January 28, 2007, at 13:29:17

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » Deneb, posted by Larry Hoover on January 28, 2007, at 8:11:50

Larry - thanks so much for this information.

I think this could really help me. I've asked in another thread if you think this type of therapy would be offered from an OHIP-covered source.

Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed by worry or upset feelings, I feel like my whole body is sort of aching/feeling trapped/needing to writhe! I hate being so strongly affected by 'negative' or uncomfortable emotional feelings!

Kath

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » Kath

Posted by Larry Hoover on January 28, 2007, at 13:52:14

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » Larry Hoover, posted by Kath on January 28, 2007, at 13:29:17

> Larry - thanks so much for this information.
>
> I think this could really help me. I've asked in another thread if you think this type of therapy would be offered from an OHIP-covered source.

I believe it can be. Just stay away from psychologists in private practise. You may possibly need an official diagnosis, too.

> Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed by worry or upset feelings, I feel like my whole body is sort of aching/feeling trapped/needing to writhe! I hate being so strongly affected by 'negative' or uncomfortable emotional feelings!
>
> Kath

I'm sorry, Kath. I didn't realize that.

Upon looking at DBT, I realize that I am doing something very similar already, to learn how to cope with my chronic pain. I can whole-heartedly offer my endorsement.

Lar

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » tofuemmy

Posted by Phillipa on January 28, 2007, at 17:48:51

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » Phillipa, posted by tofuemmy on January 28, 2007, at 0:05:32

Emme I did so does that make me borderline? Love Phillipa

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » madeline

Posted by Phillipa on January 28, 2007, at 17:54:50

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » Deneb, posted by madeline on January 28, 2007, at 6:54:41

Maddie will BPD be removed from the axis II in the DSM? Isn't a new one due to be released? Love Phillipa

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » Phillipa

Posted by sunnydays on January 28, 2007, at 18:54:35

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » tofuemmy, posted by Phillipa on January 28, 2007, at 17:48:51

No, it's just a risk factor for borderline. You still have to meet the DSM criteria for the disorder to have it.

sunnydays

 

Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » sunnydays

Posted by Phillipa on January 28, 2007, at 19:20:30

In reply to Re: I'm a lot better these days, but why still DSH? » Phillipa, posted by sunnydays on January 28, 2007, at 18:54:35

Thanks sunndays as I don't meet the criteria for it. Love Phillipa such helpful people here.


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