Borderline Personality Disorder:  Email Someone for Support

If you would like to be an email volunteer, see this page for information.

Updated:  11/28/03

Disclaimer

Self-help is useful, but it is not a substitute for professional assistance. Emotional and behavioral problems can be debilitating and dangerous. Please seek professional help: 

if you have thoughts of killing yourself or harming others;
if you feel depressed, anxious, guilty or down on yourself frequently; 
if you are abusing substances; 
if your performance or interpersonal relationships are impaired.

"We cannot, and are not, assuming the role of your physician or therapist in any of our replies. 

We also do not know your other medical problems and psychiatric diagnoses, which usually has a dramatic effect on medication (and other treatment) recommendations. You must make a medical and treatment plan with your physician and therapist(s).

Borderline Personality Disorder Email Volunteers

Feel free to write any of the volunteers below.

1) Buck Bannister 

I was diagnosed with BPD (borderline personality disorder) in 1990. At that time I was simply treated with Xanax for anxiety and talk therapy. Neither helped at all. I ended up hospitalized and still was treated with nothing but anti-anxiety drugs and talk therapy. I finally left my psychiatrist's care feeling disgusted. I also had read up in an old text about BPD and according to it had little to look forward to in life: chronic bouts of psychosis, hospitalizations, suicide attempts, manipulative behaviors, etc. I was terrified of myself and even more terrified to get "into the system" because of my past treatment (or lack thereof) and what I'd read. 

I decided that I would fight BPD with every ounce of my being and I began a very strict regimen of training myself to filter the BPD emotions from reality. This was not easy and took several years to accomplish but finally clicked. At about the same time that I felt I was under control 90% of the time...and read up on the latest treatment and research. I was fascinated to learn of the drug regimens used.

After a brief episode two years ago (a matter of days) I began working with my family doctor instead of a psychiatrist using the drug regimens, especially Prozac. I have been very stable since that time and am now pursuing a degree in psychology with a view toward getting a masters in clinical counseling and a Ph.D. in Forensics. Previously I was a surgical nurse specializing in trauma. 

I am currently employed by a local company as an Internet sales manager and project/marketing coordinator. I am an ordained minister and have counseled couples and others especially those who are undergoing severe psychological stress. I also am gay and therefore very comfortable discussing the unique stresses of gay life and relationships with other BPD patients. My public email is [email protected]  

Spanish Speaking Psychologist Volunteer

2) I am interested to help Spanish population with any mental health concerns by volunteer programs. I am a native Spanish speaker, I moved here from Argentina 5 months ago. I have worked for 10 years as a clinical psychologist in my country.

I moved to the United States almost six months ago with my family, because my husband is working here. I have a son who is 8 years old. We are working together to settle in this new environment, and to enjoy this new experience; it's a great challenge.

I have worked for ten years as a clinical psychologist and as a pre-school teacher in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a psychologist I was working with children, teens and adults at individual and familiar therapeutic settings; and in different specialties: diagnosis (psychological testing, assessment center), psychotherapy, counseling and day treatment program ( children in the autism spectrum). A summary of goals in my job: 1) install an environment of empathy, a supportive environment at the setting; 2) select and focus on particular topics, items of the problem, establish objectives; 3) facilitate in making decisions, develop alternatives, analyse them, select the best, implement it, evaluate the result; 4) help to identify alternative solutions; 5) open up discussion of behaviors resulting in clarification; 6) help to take risks to increase expertise under a supportive environment; 7) support to move toward achievement in life, reach success.
Resume Here.

[email protected]