Surviving the Holidays with BPD

Many people think of the holidays as a time of joy, but the truth is that for many people, the holidays are the most difficult time of year. This can particularly be true for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and their families. There are so many relationship issues associated with BPD that can be intensified this time of year.

If you are in a BPD family you may be facing one of two really difficult situations during the holidays: (1) you may be visiting with family with whom you have troubled relationships; or (2) you may be estranged from family and feeling lonely. Here are some tips that may help in either situation:

• Get Support -- Try the BPD Forum or any other number of support resources.
• Remind Yourself That the Holidays Are Temporary -- Sure, they come every year, but remember that the holidays are temporary. They will pass, and you can make it through.
• Practice Coping Skills -- The holidays are a great time to practice your coping skills!
• Contribute -- Find a place that serves free holidays meals, and volunteer for the day; contributing to others is a very powerful way to feel better about yourself.