Borderline Personality Disorder: The Road to Recovery (Debbie DeMarco Bennett)

Debbie DeMarco Bennett grew up in a difficult home situation and moved to foster care as a teen. She went through her own Hell, and chose to go back, to help those who live there. For Debbie, recovery started with a diagnosis. She was hospitalized with dehydration. Because her emotions were so strong, her nerves caused her to throw everything up. Her partner and her best friend came to the E.R. and told her, that if she didn’t figure out what was causing these emotional responses and get help, they would abandon her. She told the hospital staff what her mental state was. The psychiatrist recognized some of her symptoms, did a diagnostic checklist, and diagnosed her with BPD. Debbie was relieved that there was a name for what she was experiencing, that she wasn’t the only one, and that the doctor had given her this hope: there was a treatment created specifically for people with her disorder called Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and their hospital had groups where she could go through the skills training course. As she began recovery, Debbie started writing a blog and created a Twitter account where she processed and documented what she learned. Her hope, was that another human might read her account and relate to her story. Soon, she had thousands of followers and messages pouring in from readers, many of whom were asking how they could access a therapy group. She realized she could offer them the hope that she had found, and started DBT Path. Now, dozen staff members later, they are able to offer DBT groups and other supports to people who are currently struggling in the same way she had been just a few years ago. There is hope for those with Borderline Personality Disorder and their communities. People with BPD have often been through horrific amounts of trauma and just may be some of the strongest people alive. They are waiting to be given a chance to heal, improve their lives, and contribute all the good they have to offer to their communities. People with BPD are so often immediately dismissed as a “hopeless case” or rejected and feared because of their unexpected behaviors. The stigma around this diagnosis is stronger than of almost any other mental illness. However, with education and proof of recovery, that stigma is slowly lifting. As people are able to find the right support system and persevere towards healing, the illness is not as destructive. Thank you for listening to Hope to Recharge! if we are important to you, help us out and Leave us a review on iTunes. It makes a huge difference! ————————————————————————— Work 1 on 1 with Matana - With our 1 on 1 coaching program, you can work directly with Matana. Get a free 30-minute fitting tryout call to see if this is right for you. You do not have to walk through your mental health struggle alone. Because as always, together is better! There is no substitute for a listening ear. Get Your Free 30 Minute, 1 on 1 Consultation Today. https://hopetorecharge.com/1on1/ ————————————————————————— As we all know, sharing can help others. We are here to support each other and to learn from each other. In mental health, Together is better. If you need more support in your mental health journey please reach out to us in our private Facebook group. ————————————————————————— Interested in joining our monthly Mastermind Group?  Find out more info here! www.hopetorecharge.com/Mastermind ————————————————————————— Connect with Debbie: Emotionallysensitive.com Phone: 415-326-DBT5 Email: [email protected] Facebook:@EmotionallySensitive.DBTpath Twitter: @dbtpath YouTube: DBTPath Pinterest: DBT Path Instagram: @dbtpath Blog chronicling Debbie’s journey: Healing from BPD ————————————————————————— Quotes: “I don’t like this, but I can handle it.” @DebbieDeMarcoBennett @MatanaJacobs #HopetoRecharge “There’s not a lot of sympathy or a good understanding for people with this disorder... Education is needed. These are hurting people.” @DebbieDeMarcoBennett @MatanaJacobs #HopetoRecharge “They were never taught how to regulate their emotions, and they were never taught how to handle the different things that come up within them. How are they supposed to know unless someone is willing to meet them where they’re at-- even if they’re being nasty, even if they’re having trouble with lying or cutting themselves…? Somebody has to meet this person right where they’re at and love them and care for them and show them respect and have that empathy and that space to listen and to begin to help them”.  @DebbieDeMarcoBennett @MatanaJacobs #HopetoRecharge ————————————————————————— Topics Discussed: Why BPD is so stigmatized Hope for those diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder The benefits of DBT groups ————————————————————————— Suicide Hotlines: USA: 1-800-273-8255 USA Crisis (Text): 741-741 Canada: 1-833-456-4566 United Kingdom: 116-123 Australia: 13-11-14 International Suicide Hotlines: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines ————————————————————————— Connect with us! 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