daughter with BPD

[dogmom4862]

Hello,  I have a 16 year old daughter with BPD.  She was diagnosed about 6 months ago after severe cutting and suicidal thoughts.  She spent a month in a partial program last spring then 9 days in patient in September.  We just finished a DBT program a couple of weeks ago.  We definitely did see progress but she is still struggling.  She is on medicine and I do see a difference but she does not.  She doesn't do any activities other than school which she struggles in.  I am looking forward to connecting with people who understand the daily struggles we go through.  

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  and welcome  

This is certainly the place to connect, speak out and support each other.  It's comforting to see so many adolescents (via the parents on the site) are receiving an early diagnosis.

I'm pleased to hear of the positive change you have seen in your daughter through DBT, she is young and I guess constant on going learning is required to reinforce the progress she has made so far on her journey.

My 27 daughter experiences exhaustion from trying so hard to have what we consider a normal day, so I understand when you say your daughter struggles, it's real.  I acknowledge to my daughter her amazing strength and equally her challenging struggle.

I have learnt a lot from all the great parents on the site and the tools and lessons to the right.  

Is there a next step in place at some point for your daughter to have the opportunity to reinforce her recent learning?

Take care and seen you soon.

WD

[michmom]

Hello,

Welcome and you  have my support.  My daughter is 15 and struggles each day as well.  I have found the tools on this website to be outstanding.  I am personally working on "Values and Boundries"  This is an in depth dive into how to help your BPD by first helping yourself.  You can find it in the workshop sections at the bottom of the home page.  When you get to the bottom select the "read more" section. My daughter recently underwent a significant medication change and was hospitalized.  She has been out of school since November.  She returned today for the first time and I have experienced a marked improvement in her ability to better define her current  emotional experiences.  And express herself in an appropriate way to get her needs met.  Before DBT and the medication change she went from 0 to 1000 in less than a sentence.  Now, she does not judge her perception but breaks it down to what she needs and expresses it in words.  A great marked improvement.  Encourage your daughter to keep notes of her mood, food intake, sleep habits, triggers, side effects etc.  See your psyciatrist regularly and report the lack of improvement.   Did you do DBT skills training with your daughter?

[landslide]

Hi,

My daughter is also 16 and has BPD.  I am really new to this board, too, but am already finding it helpful in many ways.  The tools and videos are great.  Reading over old posts and hearing from other parents is extremely validating and reassuring.  There are some really hopeful stories, too.  This is a world where our kids and our struggles with them are normal!  It sounds like you are getting your daughter all the help she needs right now, and I hope you have all the support you need to take care of yourself because that is one of the hardest things!