Turning back to the work
The road to recovery is long.
Last week, I tried to take a midday nap (I’m self-employed). I was depressed, wracked with body aches, and utterly exhausted. But sleep eluded me. I was anxious about everything that had made me depressed. I was anxious that I was depressed in the first place.
I had an idea. My eyes fluttered open. I typed “DBT exercises for depression” into Google and read.
It’s been six years since I completed DBT treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). I like to think I’m fairly far along the road to recovery, but the truth is some of my coping strategies have rusted with time. There’s no shame in it. I know people with BPD who have participated in specialized treatment more than once to master the skills needed to live with this disorder.
My Google search proved fruitful. I was reminded of techniques like ABC PLEASE, which helps reduce vulnerability to emotions, and opposite action, where I intentionally do the opposite of what my feelings urge me to do. This refresher was so effective that I was soon inspired to employ additional skills in other areas of my life that I was struggling with.
The road to recovery is long. Sometimes, I have to turn back to the work to move forward.
Meme of the Month
Mad Misinformation
Everyone’s a narcissist!
I can’t think of a psychiatric label more overused than the term “narcissist.” Whenever a person is selfish, arrogant, or a dick, they’re immediately branded a narcissist.
Most of us have narcissistic tendencies or traits, but that doesn’t mean we have a mental illness. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a Cluster B diagnosis, which, like BPD, involves difficulties regulating emotions and behaviour. To be diagnosed with NPD, a person must meet five of nine criteria, including a preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success or power, a need for excessive admiration, or a grandiose sense of self-importance.
When we use the term narcissist to describe people who display negative or unwanted behaviours, we’re creating stigma toward people who live with NPD. Equating narcissism with shitty behaviour makes it harder for the general public to empathize with people with the disorder. It diminishes the very real struggle people with NPD face.
The next time you’re tempted to call someone a narcissist, just call them an asshole instead.
Thanks for reading. If you want to read more of my words, buy my book.