As someone with BPD, those who truly aligned their work to the Principles of Care, made a huge impact on my life. It was the difference between ‘make or break’.

Those who saw me as ‘Oh, another borderline. They are just looking for attention. Let them go’ were ones who broke me. The comments made me feel worthless and a waste of space.

However, there were also those who saw me as more than the sum of my diagnosis. I wasn’t just another ‘BPD case’ to them.

Collaborative Therapeutic Relationship

The collaborative therapeutic relationships developed in my recovery were invaluable in making me who I am today. The key words being ‘collaborative’ and ‘therapeutic’ – I didn’t want to repeat myself over and over again to every therapist I saw.

Trauma-sensitive Care

When I was in distress, the trauma-sensitive care principle meant I was met with compassion, empathy and respect. This aided my recovery in that it gave me a reason to continue.

Working with Family/Friends/Supporters

I didn’t have many people around me when I was acutely unwell. I’d pushed people away and lived in isolation. I didn’t think this principle of working with family/friends/supporters applied to me, but in actual fact, my whole treating team ended up being my supporter and advocate. The system worked together as a whole so that I received the treatment I needed, and at a time I needed it most. Providing ongoing supports I could access has meant the continuity of care and support throughout my recovery.

Recovery (Wellbeing) Focus

For me, I learnt that recovery was not about the absence of symptoms or the need to always be happy, but rather, that I could live a rich and fulfilling life. Treatment allowed me to work with what was important in my life. It gave me agency and empowered me to make a difference – to BE the DIFFERENCE I wanted to be.

Use a Structured Treatment Framework

As a borderline, my life was in turmoil. It was messy from the time I woke up to the time I went to bed. This principle of having a structured treatment framework added stability to my life. It gave me boundaries to keep me ‘safe’. I helped me develop a therapeutic relationship with my key clinician which was built on trust, openness and boundaries. The relationships developed during my recovery were seen, in my eyes, as the relationships I’d develop in the real world. Hence, treatment was a ‘training ground’ for the wider world.

All up? I’m here today to tell my story because of the care I received. Care that was founded on these BPD Core Principles of Care. It wasn’t care to make me dependent on people or the system – but rather, care to empower me to see the change that was needed to not only survive, but thrive in the world.

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