Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) - Learn the Signs and Symptoms


Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness that is correlated with unstable moods, behaviors, and relationships. 
Due to the fact that some people with severe BPD have brief psychotic episodes, mental health professionals first thought of this illness to be atypical, borderline, or versions of other mental disorders. 

While mental health experts now generally agree that the term "borderline personality disorder" can be misleading, a more accurate term does not exist yet.
Most people who have BPD suffer from:
  • Problems with regulating emotions and thoughts
  • Impulsive and reckless behavior
  • Unstable relationships with other people.
Individuals who have this disorder also have high rates of co-occurring disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and eating disorders. They also self-harm and often attempt suicide.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), to be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, a person needs to demonstrate a pattern of behavior that includes at least five of the following symptoms:
  • Extreme reactions—including panic, depression, rage, or frantic actions—to abandonment, whether real or perceived
  • A pattern of intense and stormy relationships with family, friends, and loved ones, often veering from extreme closeness and love (idealization) to extreme dislike or anger (devaluation)
  • Distorted and unstable self-image or sense of self, which can result in sudden changes in feelings, opinions, values, or plans and goals for the future (such as school or career choices)
  • Impulsive and often dangerous behaviors, such as spending sprees, unsafe sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, and binge eating
  • Recurring suicidal behaviors or threats or self-harming behavior, such as cutting
  • Intense and highly changeable moods, with each episode lasting from a few hours to a few days
  • Chronic feelings of emptiness and/or boredom
  • Inappropriate, intense anger or problems controlling anger
  • Having stress-related paranoid thoughts or severe dissociative symptoms, such as feeling cut off from oneself, observing oneself from outside the body, or losing touch with reality.
Small situations and events may trigger symptoms. 

If you think that you may have BPD, seek professional help to learn how to cope with this disorder. 

Reference:  National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder/index.shtml


CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 



 By Diane Gammon M.S.
             Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time: Monday Through Friday,  
With Evening Appointments

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss for  Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss

(615) 556-8406
  
 

 
 





 


Diane GammonComment
This is Not a Dress Rehearsal! Make the Most of Today!


Do not waste precious time staying in emotional pain or in victim mentality. 

Choose to not carry around burdens and grudges that you do not need to.

Choose instead to work through the root of your pain. Choose to forgive. Choose to heal. Choose to make the most of today and your life!

 CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 



 By Diane Gammon M.S.
             Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time: Monday Through Friday,  
With Evening Appointments

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss for  Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss

(615) 556-8406
  
 

 
 





 


Diane GammonComment
Don't Be Like others- Be Better! Be YOUrself!

I meet people daily in my counseling profession who do not feel like they measure up. They feel that they do not measure up to what others think of them. They feel like they do not measure up to what they feel that they should be for how they come across to others. 

They are insecure and they lack the self-confidence to be themselves.

If you feel like this, I want to urge to ask yourself WHY? Why is it so important to you to be preoccupied with others may think of you? There is an underlying reason or "root". 

You will only have true inner peace when you are your authentic self.

Be YOU and be the best YOU that you can be!


CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 



 By Diane Gammon M.S.
             Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time: Monday Through Friday,  
With Evening Appointments

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss for  Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss

(615) 556-8406
  
 

 
 





 


   
Diane GammonComment
There is Always Hope and God Can Give You Hope!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

 Jeremiah 29:11 

 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  
Romans 12:12

The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. 
  Zephaniah 3:17 

   CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 



 By Diane Gammon M.S.
             Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time: Monday Through Friday,  
With Evening Appointments

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss for  Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss

(615) 556-8406
  
 

 
 





 


Diane GammonComment
Failure Is Not In Falling - But In Not Trying


















When many of us think of failure, we think of things not working out after we have tried something. This is not failure. 

We think that failure is not accomplishing a goal we have set. This is not failure either. 

Failure is not setting a goal in the first place. 
 
Failure is in not trying at all.

It might be time to change the way that you look at failure.

The only Failure is in never ever even trying.

Also, you may have to attempt something more than once. You may have to attempt something a dozen, a hundred, or even a thousand times. 

If it is important to you, the "no's" will not hold you back but rather be used as a teaching tool on how to try harder and differently the next attempt! 

Just do not stop trying!

And- do not compare yourself to others!  

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”Anonymous


   CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 



 By Diane Gammon M.S.
             Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time: Monday Through Friday,  
With Evening Appointments

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss for  Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss

(615) 556-8406
  
 

 
 





 


Diane GammonComment
In Order to Give to Others, You Have to Take Care of Yourself First!
I tried to be the best Supermom possible several years ago. I put my children first and took care of their every need and their every desire that I possibly could.

I was and am a single mother and I worked two to three jobs while I home schooled my children and pursued further college degrees. 

In a few houses that I rented, I gave all of my children their own bedrooms and I slept on the floor in a corner of the living or dining room. 

I took my children to counseling during and after my divorce and when the counselors asked me how I was doing and suggested that I get some help, I put my hand up to stop them and always said that I was good. I was thinking....I am a good mom, what else is there to even be addressed! 

I took my children to Sunday School so they would have hope and learn about Jesus and I would sit in the lobby near their classes to make sure that they were safe. When one of the pastors would ask about me periodically and why I was not in a class, I would put my hand up again to stop him just as I did with the counselors and I again- I said that I was good. Again, I was being a great mom....what else mattered?      

My children were extremely cared for in every way and they were involved in every kind of activity that a good parent would involve their children in. I was Supermom.

I thought I was being a wonderful mother but I learned that I should have done things differently. I should have given myself a bedroom and I should have taken better care of myself in many ways. 

I literally just catered to my children. I learned that children need to see their parents take care of themselves, to learn to do things for themselves, and that it is even healthy for children to see their parents enjoy life. 

I thought that if I did anything for myself that I was being selfish when in fact I was being ignorant because I almost ruined my health multiple times.

Looking back, I tried to overcompensate for my children enduring a divorce. While I was Supermom, there were many times when money was so tight that I did not know where my children's next meal would come from. They never went without food but as you can guess, I did.

I felt guilty for having to work and not pouring more time, attention, and love into my children than I was. But my children were cared for and loved. I remember telling a friend that I felt bad for my children and she said that I gave my children more love than several sets of parents! 

I was Supermom..............

We have to take care of ourselves before we can take care of others. This means that we need to demonstrate self-care physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, socially, and so on.

It is all about balance. 

You can be Supermom or Super care-taker but take time for YOU!

Self-care is not selfish- it is essential!  

 CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 



 By Diane Gammon M.S.
             Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time: Monday Through Friday,  
With Evening Appointments

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

(615) 556-8406
  
 

 
 





 


Diane GammonComment
Are You Living With Fear? Choose To Have Faith of a Brighter Future Instead!



Are you living a life of fear? 

Do you feel as if there are things that happened in your life that has you crippling with fear? 

Are you living with the aftermath of abuse or trauma? 

You can live a life free of fear. 

It is a choice.

Make the decision to have faith instead and make the first step toward healing.

Talk to a counselor. 

Attend a support group. 

Talk to a minister. 

The very first step is to admit to yourself that you are afraid and that you need some help.

There is help and hope. 

You can live with faith for a brighter future instead of living in fear!
 
CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 



 By Diane Gammon M.S.
             Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time: Days, Evenings, and Saturdays.

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

(615) 556-8406
  
 

 
 





 


Diane GammonComment
Do You Feel Like Your Strength Is Gone? Lean On God!

When you feel as if you are out of strength and that you simply cannot go on, pray to Go for strength. 
God is always there for you and He loves you! 

When you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior and then give Him your burdens, He fights your battles for you! You also then have the mind of Christ and can do all things through Him!

How do I become a Christian?

 Becoming a Christian is a simple process of accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. The following steps may be helpful to you as you make this wonderful decision.
  • A. Acknowledge that you have a need for Christ in your life. Romans 3:23 reminds us that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” and the result of our sinfulness is death - Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death.”
  • B. Believe that Jesus died for you so that your sins might be forgiven. Romans 5:8 “But God shows His love for us, in that while were sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
  • C. Commit yourself to Him by praying and indicating that you desire for His forgiveness of your sin, and you desire for Him to take control of your life.
Romans 10:9-10 - "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (NIV)
If you feel an urgency to make a decision after reading these preceding paragraphs, this means the Holy Spirit is working in your heart, drawing you into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you are prepared to make this decision you might offer a simple word to Christ as demonstrated in the following prayer:
"Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned and I need forgiveness for my sin.
I ask you to forgive me of my sin and to come into my life and become my Lord
and Savior. I commit my life to you and I ask you for guidance as I begin a new
life as a Christian."

If you have just prayed this prayer, you have just begun a new life in Christ. 


Seek out a Bible based church and ask to speak with the Pastor to help you learn more about living as a new Christian.  

 God bless you as you consider making this decision or if you have just begun a new life in Christ!

 Reference - http://www.cbcol.net/

 FREE Supports Groups Offered 
For Adults of All Ages


 Support groups are also for loved ones and family members


Depression, Feeling Hopeless, Anxiety, and Panic- Every 1st Saturday  at 10:00am- 11:15am- AND- Every 3rd Monday at 7:00pm- 8:15pm

Trauma, PTSD, (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)- Every 2nd Saturday at 10:00am- 11:15am

Abuse Recovery- Every 1st Saturday at 2:00pm- 3:15pm

Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Infant Loss, and Stillbirth)- Every 3rd Tuesday at
7:00pm- 8:15pm

Groups are every month and open-group.

Registration is required.



CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 



 By Diane Gammon M.S.
             Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time: Days, Evenings, and Saturdays.

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

(615) 556-8406
  
 

 
 





 


Diane GammonComment
Help To Be The Sunshine For Our World and God! It Helps To Spread Hope!


When we experience something good in life, we want to share it with others.

When we have personally experienced the love, goodness, and grace of God, we can share our testimonies with others. It is a way of spreading the gospel and it is a way to give others hope! 

Be the light for others to see. 
Be the sunshine for Jesus! 


CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 



 By Diane Gammon M.S.
             Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time: Days, Evenings, and Saturdays.

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

(615) 556-8406
  
 

 
 





 


Diane GammonComment
Follow Your Intuition - You Know What is Right Deep Inside!
Our gut instinct is almost always correct. 

It is good to run things by others when in doubt. 

However, when you really feel like you know the answer to something that you have been questioning in your life- you will not need to run it by anyone else. 

It will just feel that right!  

 CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!
 


 By Diane Gammon M.S.
             Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Now Open Full-Time: Days, Evenings, and Saturdays.

Sliding Scale Fee for Individual Counseling Sessions 

Free Support Groups for: Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Hopelessness, Trauma, PTSD, Abuse, and Grief and Loss (Including Miscarriage/ Stillbirth/ Infant loss)

(615) 556-8406
  
 

 
 





 

Diane GammonComment