Hello Mom with a teen who seems to exhibit BPD traits.

[Sorority]

I just want to say hi. I am a mom with a teen who seems to exhibit BPD traits so a new journey is beginning for me and our family. Any tips greatly appreciated!

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

[Harri]

Hello and welcome!

I am glad you found us though sorry for what brings you here. 

Can you share more about your situation?  What sort of behaviors does your daughter demonstrate?  What are some of the things you are struggling with?

We have a lot of articles here that you might find helpful though it is hard to recommend a particular one until we know more about your situation.  A good place to start though is here: https://bpdfamily.com/message_board/index.php?topic=331814.0

I hope you settle in and read and get comfortable with us.  All the parents on this board understand and can support you as you navigate your way through this new journey you and your family are on.

Again,

[Sorority]

She has had suicidal ideation and agitated behavior for a few years and was seeing a therapist for it but it did not seem to help much. Last year the situation got worse with suicide plans and uncontrollable bouts of despair. It took us four months to get an appointment with a psychiatrist. She was put on antidepressants. A few months ago she asked to be admitted to the ERs and went to inpatient and then to a DBT day program. The program sent her back almost right away to the ERs then another inpatient program. She is now in a day PHP and comes home at night, and stopped antidepressants to switch to mood stabilizers. The whole hospitalization thingie has been traumatic for me and I don't want her to go to a residential program, because we are short of money and have a so-so insurance, so we would not be able to pick and choose. I think a residential program could be traumatic for her depending on the experience there (for example, in her inpatient hospitalization, she was with violent kids). She is still unstable but willing and loving. It is a huge emotional roller coaster and we'll take it by day. Right now I guess my main concern is the moments of crises, what to do and what to tell them when it happens, and how to measure her level of risk regarding suicide.