A call to all my BPD friends

I joined a facebook group where we speak about BPD and I see a lot of people not knowing how to handle the diagnosis. 

First of all, you need to think how much it influences your life. For a better understanding of the illness, please look at my post here: Who am I ( BPD related) 

Then knowing that it hinders your life in any possible way, you need to consider therapy. For some people talk therapy works just fine, for some others medication may be needed. I personally take antidepressants to fill the internal void I have been feeling (sense of emptiness) and fight the moments or days of depression I may be occasionally feeling. Also, I thought I have had social anxiety as I was hesitant to go into closed spaces (for example gym) or meet people in a cafe when they were already there (I couldn't enter if they wouldn't pick me up). But this is not right, as it turns out I have psychosis and not just social anxiety.

What is psychosis?

"Psychosis refers to a collection of symptoms that affect the mind, where there has been some loss of contact with reality. During an episode of psychosis, a person's thoughts and perceptions are disrupted and they may have difficulty recognizing what is real and what is not." (taken from Google). 

Chatgpt says the following nice stuff:

"It often involves a combination of hallucinations, which are sensory perceptions that are not based in reality (e.g., seeing or hearing things that aren't there), and delusions, which are fixed, false beliefs that persist even in the face of contradictory evidence.

Psychosis can be a symptom of several underlying mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, severe depression, or substance-induced psychotic disorder. It can also occur as a result of certain medical conditions, such as brain tumors, infections, or neurological disorders.

The symptoms of psychosis can vary but may include:

1. Hallucinations: Sensory experiences that are not based in reality, such as hearing voices or seeing things that others don't.
2. Delusions: Strongly held false beliefs that are not aligned with reality, such as believing that one is being monitored or controlled by external forces.
3. Disorganized thinking: Difficulty organizing thoughts or expressing oneself coherently.
4. Disorganized or abnormal motor behavior: Exhibiting unusual behaviors, unpredictable movements, or catatonia.
5. Negative symptoms: Reduced ability to initiate and sustain activities, lack of emotional expression, and decreased motivation.

Psychosis can significantly impact a person's ability to function in daily life and may cause distress for both the individual and their loved ones. It is important to seek professional help if someone is experiencing symptoms of psychosis, as early intervention and appropriate treatment can lead to better outcomes. Treatment typically involves a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and support services."

In my case, psychosis was exhibiting by me seeing eyes around me watching me and following me. Also, I had the irrational fear that someone in the street may stab me while passing me by. On top of that I was afraid of opening doors, especially during the night, in fear of finding a dead body behind. I'm glad I take antipsychotic medication (called Reagila- no affiliations) and I no longer experience these symptoms. 

It is important to mention that psychotic people may recognize that their feelings are irrational and they get bothered by them - just like me. 

The difference with social anxiety is big. Social anxiety inhibits you from enjoying moments with other people, leading you to mostly stay alone at home. It is also a spectrum, so some people may show different intensity of the symptoms than others. 

I want to make the distinction clear so If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me. I am open to discussion and this post is a call to all the people who may experience problems in their daily function.

How do you handle your psychosis? How do you think you may handle your diagnosis of BPD going forward? Are you considering therapy? Let me know below in the comments!