We asked our Lived Experience Committee members: What has been most helpful in your recovery? Here’s what they said:

After a DBT skills training group, I took Mental Health First Aid training because I am a peer supporter by nature. Eventually, I did the Wellness Recovery Action Plan and several other training programs. Becoming proactive in my recovery through community, education and family support has been helpful.
Amela

Committing to myself. I always seemed to seek help or recovery for other people, for my parents…mostly for my partners. My girlfriends or boyfriends were always giving me the ultimatum: “get help or else.” I sought help because I was scared they would leave me if I didn’t…it made for a kinda half-in, half-out journey and intention. When I committed to myself it made my healing so much more powerful. Diving into trauma work and inner child work was a huge assist in helping me learn how to connect to deeper parts of myself…the real, authentic parts of myself that I had been disconnected from for so long.
Des

Being easy with myself. To be there for myself on my bad days, to be grateful for my good days, to stay consistent in therapy, and be open to new ways of treatment. Also, building my community and being honest about my experience. It’s been hard and painful, but I’m so glad I’m at this point in my journey.
Noah

The thing that has actually helped me the most in my recovery has been acceptance. Once I was finally ready to accept every single good and bad thing that had happened in my life, I was finally freed of all of that negativity, and no longer needed to think about any of it ever again. Acceptance also leads to better self-awareness, which is another key to healing.
Amber

I would say acknowledging that despite what our western society will lead you to believe, this diagnosis is not beyond hope. Like everyone else, we are beautifully and deeply flawed human beings capable of growth—not the friends, family, and patients you suffer through. Leading with a certain degree of conviction in my own self-worth was what finally allowed me to start healing, above all else.
Jennifer

Sharing the NEA BPD Family Guidelines with my parents! It’s a sixteen-page booklet that transformed our relationship over time by empowering us to connect in a way that felt safe for both of us. You can find it on the NEA BPD website under the ‘Families’ tab.
Saadia