In this episode of The Recovered Life Show, host Damon Frank welcomes back therapist Kennedy McGurkin from Returning to Self in Boise, Idaho, for a deep dive into borderline personality disorder (BPD) and its connection to addiction recovery. Kennedy shares valuable insights on how BPD affects emotions, relationships, and self-perception, as well as why it is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. She highlights the fear of abandonment as a driving force behind many behaviors associated with BPD and explains why individuals with BPD may struggle with addiction as a means of self-medication.

Recovered Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This conversation also explores the challenges men face in receiving a BPD diagnosis, how symptoms manifest differently between genders, and the role of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in managing symptoms. Kennedy emphasizes that recovery is possible, encouraging those who suspect they may have BPD to seek professional diagnosis and treatment. For individuals in recovery, building a supportive community and addressing both addiction and mental health issues are crucial for long-term healing.

🔗 Connect with Kennedy McGurkin here.

Thanks for reading Recovered Life! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.recoveredlife.tv/subscribe