[Banana]

I don't get it either.

[snarg]

well, there ya go

pealse step to back of the bus, dear

[Banana]

well, there ya go

pealse step to back of the bus, dear

Been there for years. See no need to improve.

[snarg]

perhaps you should consider joining your mom??

[BIRD33]

wow.

hey whatever man but wow.

[WoolyGoat]

yeah that seemed a bit over the top, even for this place.

[snarg]

yeah, right

[BIRD33]

Still can't believe he went there.So much for growing old gracefully.

[bam]

And I suppose the upside (if you can find one) to having a mentally ill parent is that you are much more aware of your own mental health issues and are more likely to seek treatment for them.

I believe that wholeheartedly- you know what the effects are on children because you've experienced them firsthand. Granted, it took me quite some time to get treatment, but I know it is the best thing I could have done for myself and my family.

[bam]

That was cold.

[BIRD33]

The word filter rules.

[Banana]

perhaps you should consider joining your mom??

And you could join your wife?

Mind you, you're old and she died young, so I doubt she'd want to see you, but whatever.

[Banana]

I believe that wholeheartedly- you know what the effects are on children because you've experienced them firsthand. Granted, it took me quite some time to get treatment, but I know it is the best thing I could have done for myself and my family.

Well, people with active BPD dont have the insight that they have a mental illness, so it makes sense that it took you a while to get treatment. The important thing is that you did eventually get treatment.

[BIRD33]

Yikes.

[bam]

Well, people with active BPD dont have the insight that they have a mental illness, so it makes sense that it took you a while to get treatment. The important thing is that you did eventually get treatment.

Agreed. And while I can't sit here and say I'm 100% better, I can say that I'm doing my best and doing everything I'm supposed to do and really trying to have more control over my life as it pertains to BPD.

[BIRD33]

What would you say are the major symptoms you deal with?Just curious.

[bam]

What would you say are the major symptoms you deal with?Just curious.

That I still deal with or the symptoms that I dealt with before treatment?

[BIRD33]

I guess before and after.

[bam]

I guess before and after.

The DSM-IV criteria for BPD is as follows:
A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
1. frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5. Yes, before treatment.
2. a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation. Yes, before and still struggle with to an extent now.
3. identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self. Yes, both before and currently.
4. impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating). Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior. Never quite met this criteria.
5. recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior Yes, before treatment.
6. affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days). Yes, before treatment and still struggle with this a bit.
7. chronic feelings of emptiness Still working on, but much better than it was.
8. inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights) very bad before treatment, getting better currently
9. transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms Before treatment, yes

[BIRD33]

so you notice a marked difference when you are on the medication?