Navigating intimacy and relationships can be incredibly painful for someone with BPD (EUPD) traits. In this episode of the podcast, I sat down with artist, writer Courtney Cook to discuss all things sex, self-sabotage, toxic relationships and drama addition. This episode will speak to you and fill you with hope if you’ve struggled to find a grounded connection to your own sexuality and find yourself “bored” in calm or safe relationships as you navigate recovery from borderline personality disorder.

This is PART TWO of my interview with Courtney. For the best experience and to gain the full context of our conversation, go back and listen to episode five first. (Part one is titled “Recovering from BPD after psychiatric hospitalization: stigma, shame, and self-hatred."

Topics explored and questions answered in this episode:

■ How people with BPD traits often use sex and intimacy as a form of self-harm and validation

■ Why it feels like BPD relationships can never work 

■ How to begin to know, understand and communicate your sexual needs

■ How a fear of being alone can cause people with BPD to stay in abusive, toxic or stale relationships 

■ How to stop feeling worthless through compassion and inner child work

■ The impact early puberty and being sexualized at an early age has on BPD trait development

■ What is the middle path and how can it help feelings of boredom and restlessness in BPD

■ What is self-soothing? (And how self-soothing techniques can help splitting in BPD)

■ What is wise mind and how can this DBT skill help people who identify with BPD handle intrusive and impulsive thoughts?

■ How social media and meme accounts can negatively affect mental health outcomes for people with BPD traits

■ Understanding dissociation in BPD and the importance of learning to reconnect deeply to your feelings 

■ How to practice self-compassion in BPD recovery

Learn more about Courtney and her work by visiting her website at https://courtneycook.me/.

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Disclaimer: information contained in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional.

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