Support groups and driving

[Elizabeth55]

Hi, 

I'm looking for local BPD support groups for me and for my daughter near the Albany, NY area or any ones that are good online.

I also was wondering if people with BPD, especially who disassociate, can drive.

Thank you very much.  Take care.

Beth

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

[wendydarling]

Hello Beth and welcome  

I'm in the UK, I too looked for local BPD support groups (for me) back in 2015, without luck. There were mental health support groups, but at the time I wanted to specifically focus on my DD's recent diagnosis. Searching online I found BPDFamily   which actually suited me well as I could log in anytime I was free for support and access to all the resources. Beth my DD does not drive, we live in the capital so it's not really needed. My DD has never shown any interest in driving.  When my DD was very ill 2015-2018 she experienced dissociative and psychotic episodes (along with other disorders). Through extensive DBT and additional therapy my DD is well, living a healthy life. Is your DD interested in joining a BPD support group?

WDx

[kells76]

Hi Elizabeth55, glad you found the group.

In regards to your question about whether pwBPD (people with BPD) who dissociate can drive, you can read a bit on page 2 of this thread over on the "Bettering a relationship" about that very topic:

https://bpdfamily.com/message_board/index.php?topic=352556.0

Here is an excerpt from member babyducks:

...the level of emotional dysregulation was extreme.   Like I mentioned earlier my Ex was diagnosed Bipolar 1 and BPD.  I don't think I said that she had spent years under the care of a very good psychiatric team.   She was compliant with medication and committed to therapy.  Had done DBT which is considered the gold standard for BPD.    Actually, she clinically didn't meet the criteria for BPD any longer in that she didn't self harm and wasn't actively suicidal.    Still she did become psychotic.    that is where the name borderline comes from - being on the border of psychosis and neurosis.    I've told this story here before but when psychotic my Ex believed that the wind was communicating with her.   Telling her where to go.    So in the car she would take her hands off the steering wheel and 'allow' the wind to steer the car.   even with all the treatment she received, and was open to receiving the dysregulations came every 3 or 4 months...

I remember a few other members who have had partners who have reported psychotic-type thoughts while driving with kids in the car.

That being said, I would say that those examples stand out because of the infrequency. As BPD is a spectrum disorder (mild to severe), and as it manifests differently in different people, it really depends on the individual, whether driving is an area where the BPD shows up.

You must have some concerns about your child driving? What's been going on so far?

-kells76