I was talking with my therapist yesterday about privilege and how I’m aware that I’m really fortunate to be able to afford a therapist and psychiatrist and meds and all the care involved with recovering from BPD.

I mentioned how I’ve seen some people post they couldn’t afford treatment and how it makes me feel a little guilty sometimes. She pointed out to me that anyone can buy the same workbook I’m working through on Amazon (I spent $15 I think) and that it was created as a self help tool. I’m working through it guided by my therapist, but all of the tools and techniques are really just for your own use. 

It’s been remarkable in helping me understand and then process the intense emotions I feel. I still feel them, they haven’t disappeared. But instead of short circuiting and spiraling out of control or bursting into anger, I’m finding mechanisms to help cope and move past the emotional response. 

If you’re feeling helpless, my therapist reminded me we can always find help, sometimes you just have to look for it. Sometimes it’s from someone else, sometimes it’s from you. 

I hope this doesn’t come off as preachy, I just want to offer a resource I wish I had found years ago.

The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook, Second Edition- Practicing DBT Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotional Regulation &amp; Distress Tolerance