Newbie

[Depression = 72% of members]

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Hi Folks

sort of new to this board have posted before but not that often also belong to WTOz

I  am a 65 year old from Belfast, Northern Ireland my mother died 12 years ago she was undiagnosed BPD and 2 years before her sister my aunt died she was undiagnosed Schizoid, in 1962 their brother died he was diagnosed Paranoid schizophrenic and institutionalized from 15. Hope to hear from others UK/IRE there are 3,000,000 plus in these islands.Most never diagnosed but I believe it to be a core issue in domestic abuse etc.
I also believe there is a need for something like Al-anon for anyone close to a person with this type of condition. I would also like to see a reduction of stigma and more people being diagnosed and treated REDUCE/ABUSE this is very much a two way street through lack of understanding. There is abuse between the non and the sufferer down to lack of help.

         

I want to see this change more information up to date people on helplines who are adequately trained in this area, reasons why people may need to break all contact with help and support to do so, plus added help for those who are unable to make this break I want to see the FOG lifted (fear obligation & guilt)
Anyway Hello to Ya'All

[Mitchell]

      #

Hi Folks

sort of new to this board have posted before but not that often also belong to WTOz

I  am a 65 year old from Belfast, Northern Ireland my mother died 12 years ago she was undiagnosed BPD and 2 years before her sister my aunt died she was undiagnosed Schizoid, in 1962 their brother died he was diagnosed Paranoid schizophrenic and institutionalized from 15. Hope to hear from others UK/IRE there are 3,000,000 plus in these islands.Most never diagnosed but I believe it to be a core issue in domestic abuse etc.
I also believe there is a need for something like Al-anon for anyone close to a person with this type of condition. I would also like to see a reduction of stigma and more people being diagnosed and treated REDUCE/ABUSE this is very much a two way street through lack of understanding. There is abuse between the non and the sufferer down to lack of help.

         

I want to see this change more information up to date people on helplines who are adequately trained in this area, reasons why people may need to break all contact with help and support to do so, plus added help for those who are unable to make this break I want to see the FOG lifted (fear obligation & guilt)
Anyway Hello to Ya'All

[Naughty Nibbler]

Hi Mitchell:   

Good to see you back with us!  I'm sorry that you had a uBPD mother and other relatives in your life with mental illnesses. 

Available resources vary in accordance with what country you live in and even within various States within the US.  One unfortunate reality is that so many people with personality disorders/mental illnesses won't accept treatment.  Many refuse to acknowledge that anything is wrong with them and project it onto someone else (they are the one who has a mental illness, not them).

Are you going to reach out to organizations where you live, to advocate for better resources in Ireland?

[Mitchell]

       

Hey there Naughty already on the job but very few listen, I just keep on knocking on those doors and shouting! I've recently had a good response from Refine NI they are mental health info for business but they agree with  me and are going to see how they may be able to help
I believe there is a need for something like Al-anon which is worldwide except this org. would give advice and support for those who need to go NC. Essentially Al-anon teach you too look after yourself the org. I'm thinking off would need people specially trained to give advice on how to lift the fog etc.
Hope this makes sense
Mitch
 
 

[Naughty Nibbler]

Hey Mitchell: 

You have a worthy vision.  Don't give up.  If you can find some donations and volunteers, you could start something helpful for your Country.  Some people get money from fund-raising websites.  If you don't have a website already, that can be advantageous.

Perhaps you can start some Al-anon type meetings in you area.  In the US some churches/religious centers, community centers, etc. avail their facilities for weekly meetings.  Maybe something like that is possible for your community.

[Notwendy]

There actually is something similar to Al Anon.


Growing up with BPD mom and co-dependent dad, I also had co-dependent traits. It was a marriage counselor who recommended I go to a co-dependency 12 step group. I was a bit shocked as substance abuse is not an issue with me or my H. I didn't know how that could apply to me.

I then started attending an ACA group which does extend to adult children of dysfunction. I found that the dynamics in a family with BPD are remarkably similar to that of a family with an addicted person. There is also some overlap with BPD and substance abuse. The addiction model also helped explain co-dependency to me.

When people in the group introduce themselves, some people say "adult child of alcoholic" and others say "adult child of dysfunction".

To me, if it helps, then whether it is about BPD or substance abuse, then it is something to consider. I know that these groups may not suit everyone's personality style or issues, but that there are people who have benefited from them. It could be worth a try.