The BPD Bunch

Struggling to find the right support when living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can feel isolating and frustrating—especially when facing a healthcare system that sometimes falls short. In today's episode, Xannie, Carys, Darren, Jack, Solène and André share stories of timed they've felt dismissed, misunderstood, and ignored by providers.

Struggling to navigate the mental health care system with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)? You’re not alone! In this episode, Xannie, Carys, Darren, Jack, Solène and André share personal experiences and practical strategies for advocating for yourself when navigating mental health care. Discover how to effectively communicate with healthcare providers, the importance of having a trusted advocate, and tips for making the most of your appointments.Join us as we explore:- Common challenges faced by those with BPD when seeking help- The balance between being assertive and avoiding being dismissed- Why having an advocate can lead to better outcomes- Personal stories of resilience and the importance of finding the right therapistWhether you're newly diagnosed or have been managing BPD for years, our insights can help you on your mental health journey.

Xannie, Katja, Melanie and Hak Ja sit down for an open and honest discussion about the ups and downs of life in functional recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) symptoms. From the challenges of emotional acceptance to the journey of self-discovery, they explore what recovery really means. Whether you’re on the path of recovery or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers relatable moments and valuable wisdom. Tune in to learn how to embrace your feelings, set boundaries, and understand that healing isn't a straight path.

Xannie, Raf, Solène and Lena wrap up Wednesday's conversation on the overlap between Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The Bunch discusses the early warning signs of SAD, such as hypersomnia, lack of motivation, and physical sensations like heaviness and fatigue. They also explore how seasonal changes and context cues—like shorter days or humid weather—impact mental health. If you’ve ever felt “blah” or disconnected as the seasons shift, this conversation offers insights on how to cope.

Xannie, Raf, Solène and Lena discuss living with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Practicing clinician, Lena, explains what SAD is and how that shows up for patients with BPD. The bunch share their personal experiences with the two disorders, as well as their top tips for coping and valuable lessons learned along the healing journey.

Xannie and her husband, Casey, answer your questions about BPD relationships while attempting the  @FirstWeFeast  hot ones challenge!

Terms from the episode:

DBT STOP Skill: a helpful tool from dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) that helps you manage strong emotions. Using the STOP skill can help you stay in control when you feel overwhelmed. Here’s what it stands for:

- S: Stop what you are doing. Take a moment to pause.- T: Take a step back. This means to give yourself some space from the situation.

- O: Observe your feelings and thoughts. Notice what is happening inside you without judging it.

- P: Proceed mindfully. Think about what you want to do next and choose a calm response instead of reacting right away.

Splitting: Describes a way of thinking where people see things in black-and-white, or all good and all bad. For example, someone might think a friend is perfect one moment, but then feel that the same friend is terrible the next moment over a small mistake.

________

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:32 - Quirky traits

00:03:18 - Dealing with BPD when your partner can’t validate you

00:04:33 - How to respond to splitting

00:08:45 - Unstable identity in relationship

00:13:50 - Dealing with parentification

00:17:25 - How to recover from breaking points

00:21:36 - How to trust things will get better

00:25:29 - Finding the balance between accountability and compassion

00:28:06 - How to support the non-BPD partner

00:30:37 - Fine tuning the relationship

In this episode, Xannie, Katja, Jack, Madhurima and Jay wrap up their discussion on BPD and empathy, focusing on a concept called "the borderline empathy paradox".

In this episode, Xannie, Katja, Jack, Madhurima and Jay explore the complexities of empathy for those of with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). The Bunch discuss cognitive and affective empathy, the importance of recognizing personal limits, and how to offer support to others without losing yourself in the process.

In this episode, Xannie sits down with Rose, a mental health counselor and BPD recovery coach, as she shares her transformative journey from living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) to building a thriving coaching and counseling business. Rose opens up about her struggles, her path to healing, and the key lessons that helped her recover and guide others towards mental health stability.Covering themes like empathy, humility, and the importance of emotional regulation, Rose talks about the challenges of parenting while managing mental health, and how radical acceptance and cognitive empathy played a crucial role in her recovery. She also shares insights into her online business, Thrive, and her podcast, From Borderline to Beautiful, which has inspired many others on their recovery journeys.Whether you're struggling with BPD, seeking mental health support, or simply looking for inspiration, this video offers valuable lessons and hope. Join us as we explore the road to recovery, resilience, and rebuilding.Key topics include:- Radical acceptance and embracing emotional intensity- The importance of empathy, both emotional and cognitive- The challenges and rewards of starting a counseling and coaching business- Navigating BPD recovery with practical strategies

In this episode, Xannie, Katja, Georgette, Jack, and Jay wrap up their conversation on borderline personality disorder (BPD) at school. The bunch share whether they have used accommodations in an educational setting, Jay and Xannie talk about sharing their diagnosis as students, while Katja and Georgette share disclosing as educators.