There can be a lot of barriers to accessing or engaging with treatment, like trouble finding the best therapy or provider, costs involved or long wait lists. How might we be able to get through or overcome these barriers? 

I have to say, I think I was one of the lucky ones. As mentioned, it is very challenging to find therapy for those with BPD. Frankly, a lot of services ‘run away’ from people with a BPD diagnosis. I’ve felt that many times in the past.

When a hospital or clinician sees BPD, they tend to sort of usher you out of the hospital or service. That’s my experience anyway, and it was certainly very frustrating – it felt like I didn’t matter, and I was a waste of space and resources.

Over the years, I’ve learnt that there are therapists who thrive on working with people with BPD. I never knew these people existed, but they do! So I’d encourage you to go out and ask specifically whether they are ready to work long term with someone with BPD.

I know for a fact that BPD is a slow-moving condition. It takes years to build up (hence diagnosis is generally seen in late teenage-hood or early adulthood), and months/years to return to a functional state. Recovery doesn’t occur overnight.

My suggestion: find a therapist you ‘click’ with and stick with any group/individual therapy. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

Group therapy had the greatest impact on my recovery. But boy, was it a hard trot!