Confused Dad

[Elpis51]

Hi all

I am new to this. My daughter has only recently been diagnosed with BPD and, although it is some ways a relief to get a 'label' , my pain and guilt and my confusion about how to help her has not eased.

I just need people to talk to who are going through a similar experience to me. I am a divorced dad (my daughter is a child of my first marriage) and I just want to help but really don't know what to do.

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

[HFhelp]

Confused Dad,

I am a confused Dad as well.  I am sorry that you are on this journey. This message board can provide shared experiences to help with your journey.  My daughter is 20,almost 21 years old, and trying to make it on her own.  I have a thread going under " young adult daughter" that may help.  My wife and I are working with a therapist ourselves to help us navigate the BPD communication system.  The book Walking on Eggshells has been helpful, it would be a good starting place.

Start with the book, this site and a good therapist and you should have a better understanding of your new normal.  Please keep us posted.

[bluek9]

   Welcome Possibility,

   You are among supportive and caring parents here. And yes I her you about being confused. That's pretty common when you first find out about a diagnosis.   The pain and guilt is something we all feel. Mental illness puts us on a roller coaster ride of emotions but, here in this place we can find tools, help, support and insight from sharing with each other.
  You didn't give to many details, how old is your daughter? Is she close enough for you to visit her? What kind of things are you doing for yourself? Take your time here, look around, read other posts. The community here is ready to support and listen.  

[Feeling Better]

Hello Possibility,

Along with HFhelp and bluek9 I would like to welcome you here and reiterate what great resources can be found on this site, just take a look to the right 
here you will see TOOLS and THE LESSONS, you can click on any of the sub headings to find out more about each topic.

It is great that you are looking for help, you have definitely come to the right place, we all understand your worries, we all have them too but the more we learn the easier it gets.