I have severe BPD and anxiety and I keep getting recommended to get on medication. I have a fear of medication, as I don’t trust pharmaceutical companies. Has anyone been able to self medicate naturally? I’m willing to give anything natural (besides weed) a try before I result to medication.
Natural remedies for BPD
Natural remedies for BPD
Posted in:
Life Lessons, Relationships & Marriage, Mental Health, Health & Wellbeing
7 Replies
No. Medicine is natural, tested, and proven. Scientifically it does what your body needs in just about the best way we can find yet. Doctors aren’t bought here, if anything else worked or even helped others anecdotally they would tell you about it, they don’t aim to medicate. So you’ve been recommended it repeatedly, it’s time to overcome your fear and help yourself. Don’t let the anxiety win, it’ll rule your life.
Can you confirm if you're talking about bipolar or borderline personality disorder?
People often get them confused and the answers would obviously be very different.
Hi,
Yes, sorry I have Borderline Personality disorder. Thank you for helping me clarify.
Are you speaking to a psychologist that specialises in personality disorders?
Changing you core thinking patterns is key to addressing your BPD.
Unlike narcissists, BPDs can come out the other side and no longer qualify for a diagnosis if they do the hard work.
But it does require you to stay in therapy, even when you are triggered/insulted, because you need to challenge your way of thinking, even if it hurts.
Have you tried meditation, yoga etc. for anxiety. There are heaps of different strategies to try, google it, you may find one that works.
Otherwise, you should consider anxiety medication, at least for a trial period and see how you go.
Anxiety is a double edged sword, it also causes anger outbursts/panic/irritability, which I wasn't comfortable having around my kids, so I medicated for them, more so than myself (I don't have BPD, just anxiety). Consider the people around you too, kids are watching, learning how not regulating your emotions looks. Good luck, whatever you decide.
Thank you, I agree, the biggest struggle has been emotionally regulating when my child is overstimulating me. I am motivated to get it figured out now rather than later. I am speaking to a psychiatrist and with a therapist that specializes in BPD and DBT therapy. My frustration is they always go straight to Medication. I’ve tried a couple medications and they’ve always done more harm then good. I had a doctor prescribe me Xanax at 18 even though I explained to him that I come from a family of addicts and that I’m fearful of becoming addicted. He insisted it would help so I started taking them - within a month I believe I was addicted. My mom had a talk with me about how she felt I was becoming too dependent on them, so I threw them away. Ever since then I have been even more nervous to try new medication.
Where does your mistrust for pharmaceutical companies comes from?
Medications are based on scientific research and how these interact with symptoms and medical conditions. The ingredients are naturally occurring in the environment however some are synthetically engineered to make medications more affordable and accessible.
What people don't realise in that every single "natural" herb or plants can be very toxic if used excessively and incorrectly. Example, Nightshade has anti inflammatory properties BUT used incorrectly, it will kill you. Rosemary is great for lamb, but risky for pregnancy because it causes contractions and if given too much, will cause labour.
Dandelion stems have the same components laytex does so if you have a laytex allergy and like dandelion salad, I'd avoid it.
The point is, every single innocuous naturally occurring ingredient can and will be used in medications for a variety of reasons and react accordingly.
As long as you take it as prescribed by a doctor and pharmacist, it is as safe as it can possibly be. But if you go mushroom hunting and don't know your mushrooms, you can end up in hospital.
For the record, I have Epilepsy, ASD/ADHD and Avoidant Personality Disorder. I am paranoid, anxious and depressed. I am not currently depressed. If it wasn't for my son and his needs,I would go off grid 100%. In fact, the minute he moves on to his new chapter, I plan to live largely off grid and away from people unless I have to.
Mental health sucks and I get it. I've been hospitalised twice. I mistrust others and I don't like drugs. However, a lot of people who do self medicate with illegal drugs end up with psychosis. People who self medicate with alcohol end up with life long consequences. People who decide to self medicate with "natural" medicines don't know what they're doing, mix them and end up in hospital anyway with complications that can make you sicker or kill you.
Please work with your psychiatrist, GP and mental health nurse. You do have rights but you shouldn't do something that can potentially interact with you're chemical make up.
I know you said no weed but I'd suggest you consider speaking to your treating drs about CBD oil. The only thing I'm not sure if is if you can access it before trying other meds or if you have to go down that path first.
I spent a very long time not being medicated for anxiety, I was worried I'd turn into a zombie, forget shit (which I can't really get away with at work), miss my morning alarm... so many reasons to never seek treatment. I've been medicated now for about a year and it's made such a difference. The tablet I'm on doesn't really feel right for me though so next time I'm at the Dr I'll ask to be moved to another to see if there's further improvement.
Meds are only part of the treatment but in the short term especially they can help get you back on your feet.