Beyond the Borderline

Gabby is the blogger and author behind Normal is Too Mainstream, a blog devoted to sharing her journey and favourite ways of coping with BPD, anxiety and depression. In this episode I interviewed Gabby about how advocacy and creativity via blogging help her deal with BPD. We also touch on DBT skills, how to help a loved one with BPD, useful books on BPD and more! You don’t want to miss this episode. Resources mentioned: http//www.normalistoomainstream.wordpress.com https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003TXT5MY/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01LW8UZVX/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 https://survivingcptsd.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/dbt_skills_training_handouts_and_worksheets_-_linehan_marsha_srg_.pdf https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Loving-Someone-with-Borderline-Personality-Disorder-Audiobook/B017Y8MP8K?source_code=M2M30DFT1BkSH11221601A7&&ipRedirectOverride=true

I discuss why many of us with BPD (and other mental and emotional health problems) struggle with happiness and joy, and examine some coping strategies and tools to help us tolerate these essential emotions.

In this episode of Beyond the Borderline I walk you through how to make your very own Coping Tool Box. Making a Coping Tool Box is a fun, creative way to put together a set of personalised tools you can access at any time of day or night to manage difficult thoughts, emotions and situations. Articles about making a Coping Toolbox: https://lighthouseemotionalwellness.com/Creating-a-Coping-Skills-Toolbox https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.goodtherapy.org/blog/12-skills-strategies-to-add-to-your-anxiety-toolbox-0421165/amp/ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=92i5m3tV5XY

The whole world is in lockdown right now due to the unprecedented Covid-19 health crisis. Everyone’s mental and emotional health is being tested, and, for those of us with BPD and other long term mental and emotional health challenges, the stress of the current situation may be adding to our vulnerabilities. In this episode I share some of the coping strategies that are helping to keep me (relatively) sane. Hopefully it will give some ideas on how to cope effectively during this difficult time.

Warning! This episode is me rambling a lot. That said I do my best to take on a topic suggested by listeners - Jealousy and BPD. As always I share tips, tools, strategies and real life examples of my own ( as a person with BPD who gets jealous) ... of feeling jealousy and figuring out how deal with it. Books referred to in the episode: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skills-Training-Handouts-Worksheets-Second/dp/1572307811/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=marsha+linehan&qid=1598219401&sprefix=marsha+&sr=8-2 and https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=high+conflict+couple&sprefix=high+conf&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_9