Getting a BPD diagnosis can bring up a lot at once — relief, fear, shame, and questions about what comes next. This post is written for anyone who has just received that diagnosis, or who has been living with the experiences of borderline personality disorder for years without having a name for them.
A BPD diagnosis is not a life sentence. In fact, with the right treatment, it is one of the most treatable mental health conditions there is — the majority of people who receive appropriate care achieve remission from their symptoms. The key word is appropriate. General therapy was not designed for the specific and complex presentation of BPD. What the research consistently supports is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) — the gold standard treatment, developed specifically for this population.
This post covers: what BPD actually is, why past treatment may not have worked (and why that is not your fault), how comprehensive DBT works, why skills training is central to recovery, the reality of BPD remission, the stigma people face — and the fact that you do not need a diagnosis or a referral to access treatment.
Stephanie Campoli is one of a small number of providers in the Oshawa and Durham Region area offering a comprehensive DBT program. She sees clients in-person in Oshawa and virtually across Ontario and Nova Scotia.
Read the full post at stephaniecampoli.ca
About the Author
Stephanie Campoli, MSW, RSW is a registered social worker and psychotherapist based in Oshawa, Ontario. She specializes in comprehensive DBT, trauma, BPD, and addictions, and previously worked in a hospital setting treating BPD and co-occurring concerns including self-harm, suicidality, addictions, trauma, and mood disorders. She sees clients in-person in Oshawa and virtually across Ontario and Nova Scotia.