@TideisTurning @M_P90 @puzzlingdino @Fluttershy1 

Has stigma impacted seeking support. How did you deal with that? 

Arghhh…stigma. Yes. Stigma is very much attached to BPD. I’ve felt it, I’ve heard about it, I’ve been told about it, and I’ve read about it.

I was once told by a mental health clinician that at their service, as soon as they see a diagnosis of BPD, they do not accept the client….hrm. That left me thinking. Aren’t these the people who regularly turn up emergency departments? Aren’t these the people who have active thoughts of suicide? Aren’t these some of the most vulnerable people that services SHOULD be helping?

and within the next day or two, I was discharged with no ongoing care or support. Why? Stigma.

Stigma stinks.

So how did I deal with it? Once again, I was one of the lucky ones. I was placed on a waitlist for a BPD clinic. I’m not sure how long I waited, but I was accepted. If anything, the clinic waited for me. I kept pushing my appointments off – I think I was anxious and I didn’t know what to expect?

Finally, I received a letter that if I didn’t engage, they’d take me off the list. That made me make an appointment. And this is where my recovery begins. I had to reach out and make the effort.