We are in a better place mentally than a few months ago

[DadFromFlorida]

My wife and I went to a NAMI family support group this evening.  It was pretty much just everyone sharing their experiences about their loved ones that had various mental health issues.  Lots of broken people with plenty of self-blame and hurt.  Surprisingly, few others had been through therapy for themselves.  Their loved ones had received formal care, but I guess it doesn't occur to everyone to seek help for themselves.  We shared our story (but just at a high level).  These other people really needed to be listened to.  We have had the luxury of venting and getting great feedback from our therapist, along with some helpful suggestions along with our own reading.  I gave everyone the phone number to the Behavioral Therapy office that we use and the name of our therapist.  Everyone seemed quite intrigued.  This was our first visit, we gave some encouragement.  In the future, I would like to recommend that we get someone that may be able to offer a workshop.  Sharing experiences is nice, but actually getting some useful tips as part of these meetings (once a month) may really be beneficial for this group of hurting individuals and couples.

It does help me to realize how far we have come in a few months.  Yes, we still have rough days.  But setting boundaries is helping our daughter even more than it is helping us.  Will she fail to launch in the near future?  The odds are against her.  I would be deluding myself as much as she does to not realize that.  But, all we can do is ensure that she has the tools that she needs and not let her feel that she has a safety net.

Bottom line, if you haven't found a good therapist, I highly recommend it. 

Our objective is to better understand the struggles our child faces and to learn the skills to improve our relationship and provide a supportive environment and also improve on our own emotional responses, attitudes and effectiveness as a family leaders

[FaithHopeLove]

I agree. A good therapist can really help and we need that help as much as our bpd loved ones

[wendydarling]

I'm so glad to hear you are a better place than a few months ago FDD there is no change without change, always recognising we are doing our best, with what we know any moment in time.

Thx for sharing your NAMI family support group experience with us, that must have been an eye opener, allowing others to freely share their pain, using your listening skills. I think recommending a workshop is a wonderful idea!

I gave everyone the phone number to the Behavioral Therapy office that we use and the name of our therapist.  Everyone seemed quite intrigued.

   Woah, I was so touched by you, your kindness. I was with you in the room. 

Will she fail to launch in the near future?  The odds are against her.  I would be deluding myself as much as she does to not realize that.  But, all we can do is ensure that she has the tools that she needs and not let her feel that she has a safety net.

Can you share what safety net means for you?

WDx

[livednlearned]

I haven't been to a NAMI support group although from what I've heard, it is heavy on validation.

NEA-BPD's Family Connections program was a DBT-based peer-led workshop that sounds like a mix of what you might be looking for.

Honestly, I think it's hard to find something for families of BPD loved ones. There isn't a whole lot of research either on the struggles of those families, although I remember reading something years ago about how the burn-out is highest for carers BPD loved ones, higher even than schizophrenics.

I haven't listened to this, but here's a podcast featuring DBT skills: www.charlieswenson.com/

[wendydarling]

I haven't listened to this, but here's a podcast featuring DBT skills: www.charlieswenson.com/

I came upon Charlie not long along.

Pleased to see Blaise Aguirre increasingly tweeting, community.  
https://twitter.com/blaisemd


WDx