Here are some other things that can help a person with BPD to manage their symptoms, cope with life, and heal:
- Learn about your diagnosis and emotional coping skills.
- Self-care is important:
- respect yourself,
- get more sleep,
- eat healthy foods,
- exercise, and
- take prescribed medication.
- Reduce the use of drugs and alcohol, which can alter your mood and lead to impulsive and self-harming behaviour (if needed, go to Alcoholics Anonymous or another 12-step program).
- Reduce the use of social media.
- Meditation, relaxation, and grounding techniques are very effective to help manage stress and emotions.
- Have a pet, such as a dog or cat, to help alleviate the feelings of worthlessness and loneliness.
- Finding a purpose in life will help provide a self-identity and keep busy.
- Volunteer and help others to provide meaning to your life (it is also very rewarding).
- Pause before behaving impulsively to consider the potential negative consequences of your decisions and actions. Remember that you have a bright future.
- Create art to express your feelings and creativity, while giving a sense of accomplishment and value.
- Read and play games for a nice escape and distraction from negative thoughts and problems.
- Keep a diary or journal and write poetry to allow some emotions to live outside of the brain and to review past events to understand how you felt and why you felt that way.
- Angels Ink may provide free tattoos to hide scars from cutting.
- In a crisis where there is a strong urge to self-harm (ex. cutting), it may help to hold an ice cube in your hand to help focus on something other than the emotion and urge.