Warning: The following contains mentions of alcohol that may be triggering to some audiences. When I took drivers’ ed, we passed around a pair of “drunk goggles” that supposedly simulated the effect of alcohol on perception. The blurry, kaleidoscope-y visual sent a clear message: don’t drink and drive. Regardless of whether you had a similar ..read more

Warning: The following contains mentions of alcohol that may be triggering to some audiences. Any drinker knows that alcohol can exacerbate the experience of an emotion. Other times, it can numb a feeling entirely. People with borderline personality disorder often experience intense emotions at one extreme, as well as numbness or “emptiness” at the other ..read more

Warning: The following describes alcohol use and alludes to unwanted sexual contact, which may be triggering to some audiences. ​It was five o’clock in the morning and I was sitting in the car that my mother and I had paid for in full. I was always eager to become independent but, somehow, I always depended ..read more

Have you ever considered that your emotions could be your greatest strength? What if they were the key to unlocking a deeper level of resilience and self-regulation? It might sound far-fetched at first, but as you’ve journeyed through this blog series, perhaps you’ve become more open to the idea of the extraordinary and the unimaginable ..read more

Growing up, I was often called “too intense.” I might not always remember who said it, but I’ll always remember the way it felt. I would feel myself shrivel or turn inward, I remember the ruminating thoughts that would spiral in my mind. The word itself felt heavy, like a weight pressing down on me ..read more

Warning: The following contains mentions of self-harm behaviors that may be triggering to some audiences. What exactly happens inside our brain when we get triggered? Understanding the biological processes of my body and brain was a profound gift for me in my healing journey.   At one point, self-harming behaviors were significant coping mechanisms for me ..read more

Warning: The following content contains mentions of self-harm behaviors that may be triggering to some audiences. The phrase ‘self-harm’ evokes a wide spectrum of thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It conjures up a depth beyond words for many who resonate with silent struggles and unspoken pain. Whatever you feel, think, or experience at the mention of ..read more

Warning: The following contains mentions of unwanted physical contact that may be upsetting to some audiences. Boundaries are the key to maintaining relationships. Though they are characterized by the way they limit intimacy, boundaries can actually bring people closer together by helping individuals feel safe and comfortable in relationships with others. Boundaries should be an explicit ..read more

All close relationships have some degree of conflict. This is why some parenting experts say that the most important skill a parent can hone is relationship repair. As a person with BPD, I’m inspired to spiral into rage or dejection when an interaction with a loved one gets contentious. I used to have a couple ..read more

Your relationship with yourself is the most important of your life. This is because you are the only person that you can count on to be with you through all the ups and downs and until the end. As a person with BPD, I have often struggled with boundaries, codependence, and over-reliance on others for ..read more