Archive for the ‘Mental Health’ Category

19
Aug

Living With Borderline Personality Disorder

   Posted by: Adara Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

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I always knew I was different. Something was ‘wrong’ with me;  although I could never quite put my finger on precisely what it was. I certainly didn’t know that I was living with Borderline Personality Disorder, also known as BPD.  As a child, I had been taught to value my differences and I was told that my strong headed personality would get me far in life. The adults around me chalked up my differences from other kids to ‘early maturity’ and being ‘very smart for my age’. I was a born leader with a dynamic personality.

I even had my ‘normal’ teenage struggles. In reality, nothing was normal about my teenage life because I was living with Borderline Personality Disorder.  Throughout my adolescence years, I had tons of difficulty making and keeping friends. Over many years I went through friends like they were going out of style.  A new best friend every year, sometimes even less. I was very devoted to my best friends and wanted to spend all of my time with them. Then, as usual, they would do some awful, completely unforgivable thing and I would need to set them straight.

Everyone told me that high school was filled with immature kids and that University would be different. The kids there would be better and more mature.  Yeah, no such luck. By the end of my first year, I’d managed to get on the bad side of every person in the entire building; some teachers included. The University kids were still very immature and I just didn’t want any part in their behavior.

Finally, into my second year, I met a new friend named Megan. We hit it off right from the start. I wanted to spend all my time with her.  She was perfect. I idolized Megan.  The best thing about her was that she was new to the school that year and she could get to know me for me and not by all the other awful things I’m certain the other kids say about me behind my back.

Things were going great with Megan.   There wasn’t a thing about Megan that I didn’t like. Well, I suppose she had her flaws but what person doesn’t. I looked past them and didn’t dare mention the things she did that bothered me. I wouldn’t want to insult her or make her feel hurt or rejected so I just pushed them aside and ignored them.

Things were going great until one day when she really did it!  I took her over to my family’s friend’s house where she actually had the nerve to say they were mean because they were rich and didn’t sponsor a child.  Well, that was it! I couldn’t figure out what in the world was wrong with her. Yeah, they were rich and no they didn’t sponsor a child, but maybe she should watch her mouth. I’d already done her a huge favor by pushing aside every other seriously annoying thing that she did and now she’s gone and said this!! How dare she even consider saying that to me?! I’ve done so much for her. It’s obvious that she is completely oblivious to how much I sacrifice for her every day.  Rage filled throughout me as my thoughts raced about all the sacrifices I had made for her and how much of an ungrateful bitch she was being; and with that I vowed that I could not have such an awful, useless, ungrateful person in my life. The rage continued and I vowed to myself that I would make her life miserable at school for as long as I possibly could. I hated her; end of story.

Does the story above sound all too easy to relate too?  Living with Borderline Personality Disorder is NOT a joke. It causes mounds of stress and distress for the sufferer and the sufferer’s loved ones; its effects on someone who has never seen it, are sometimes unfathomable.

Some people may be looking into this article from the perspective of an outsider, thinking they want to understand what this disorder really feels like. Let me inform you, no you don’t.

Living with Borderline Personality Disorder is like living in hell.

Here are some typical feelings for anyone living with Borderline Personality Disorder:

  • Sadness
  • Desperation
  • Fear
  • Anger
  • Helplessness
  • Hopelessness
  • Pain
  • Emptiness
  • Loneliness

Not only is it common for a person living with Borderline Personality Disorder to feel these emotions,  it is also common for them to be plagued with multiple ones at any given time.  It is quite common for the emotions to change in the blink of an eye.  There is a huge sense of loss of control, as though they are being sucked into a black hole of nothingness within themselves.

There is a mnemonic for BPD: Praise

P-Paranoid ideas

R-Relationship Instability

A-Anger outbursts, affective instability, abandonment fears

I-Impulsive behavior, Identity Disturbance

S-Suicidal Behavior

E-Emptiness

These symptoms may seem common to many disorders, however people with BPD experience all of them – a lot.

You may ask someone living with Borderline Personality Disorder why they are sad?  Chances are they will not have an answer. They will make one up to satisfy your question, but truthfully, deep down all they know is they are depressed, lonely, empty, in pain and hurting all at the same time with no idea why.  Life becomes about wearing a mask and faking an identity to get through the day. People living with Borderline Personality Disorder have difficulty maintaining a sense of identity and purpose in life and it’s hard for them to maintain and reach goals because they truly do not know who they are or what they want.  If you could feel their feelings, you would be burdened with a petrifying sense of rejection. It’s as though every one around you will up and leave on cue. Sometimes, people living with Borderline Personality Disorder feel as though it is easier to leave the ones they love; as opposed to being left.

If you could see inside a person living with Borderline Personality Disorder, you would know they feel like they are dying but they keep it all inside and let it fall apart only when they are alone. Only a handful of people in their life know because they keep their breakdowns a secret so they aren’t labeled as being crazy.  Emotional pain can become so intense, that someone living with Borderline Personality Disorder has to fight with their self to stop from hurting their self.  So really, anyone who does not understand this disorder should consider their genuine ignorance a blessing.

For those of you who are living with Borderline Personality Disorder; be proud and hold your head high. Take a step back and realize that you have already endured more than a normal person ever will in their entire lifetime. Be proud of your strong ability to cope with emotional pain; most people could not handle what you already have.

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A note from HealthTopics.ca about this author: 

Adara is not the author’s real name.  Think of it as a mask worn by this person who lives with Borderline Personality Disorder.  Although you do not know her real name, her story is real.  Her short life has been filled with unimaginable pain.  Now that she knows she is living with Borderline Personality Disorder she is committed to getting the help she needs so that she can live a full and satisfying life WITHOUT this disorder.  I asked her to share her story so that others may benefit.   Too often families don’t know their loved one is suffering with this disorder so it gets left untreated and becomes worse, sometimes resulting in suicide.  In many cases, as is the case for Adara, they have sought therapy and still remain undiagnosed.  In Adara’s case it took a major meltdown with extremely destructive behavior for her to land in the hospital emergency ward where she ended up with a diagnosis of BPD.  This has put her on the road to recovery.  Please, if you see extreme relationship troubles, continuous instant rage and overwhelming, often unwarranted, feelings of rejection coming from your loved one; learn more about Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms and treatments.

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13
May

Common Food Allergies – Itching For Relief

   Posted by: Dr. Tonia Mitchell ND Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Besides stress (one of my favorite topics) the other broad category that affects the health of my patients the most is allergies.  There are different types of allergic reactions.  This article will focus on the symptoms of common food allergies and how you can find out if you have them.

Let’s start with the type of food allergy you are likely to be most familiar with:

  • The immediate type reaction.  This type of food reaction can be very severe and occurs because the immune system is overreacting to a substance that it perceives as being a hostile foreign invader, but that is usually safe for most people. Certain immune receptors (IgE antibodies) bind with certain foreign proteins in foods (allergens) and cause certain immune cells (mast cells) to release histamine.  This powerful messenger causes inflammation and other detrimental effects such as a narrowing of the windpipe.  This type of allergic response can be related to eczema, hay fever and, most seriously, asthma as well as anaphylaxis which can lead to shock and death.  People who are aware of these type of food allergies often will carry an epi-pen or an inhaler.  But if you eat a food and your lips or tongue feels tingly, or you have trouble breathing, you are likely allergic to it.  It is best to stay away from that food.  The most common food allergies in this group in decreasing order of frequency include:
  1. egg
  2. fish
  3. shellfish
  4. nuts
  5. peanuts

Immediate type allergies can be tested by a skin prick test or a blood test.

The next type of allergy is less familiar, although incredibly common, to most people and it is called:

  • The delayed type sensitivity. These common food allergies can take up to 72 hours to actually present themselves as symptoms.  This makes it hard to know what food is causing what reaction.  The most common food allergies of this type are (in decreasing order of frequency):
  1. milk
  2. chocolate
  3. wheat
  4. citrus
  5. food colorings

Delayed allergies are mediated by another chemical in the immune system called IgG antibodies.  The IgG antibodies form complexes with allergens and these complexes are deposited into tissues anywhere in the body which can cause a wide array of symptoms.

Digestive symptoms can include: gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, cramping, ulcers and heartburn.

Mental / emotional symptoms can include: anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, insomnia, confusion, inability to concentrate or decreased memory.

Skin symptoms can include: acne, eczema, hives, itching or rashes.

Other symptoms can include: bed wetting, chronic bladder infections, yeast infections, chronic or recurrent colds and flus, headaches, migraines, hayfever, asthma, fatigue, joint pain, painful periods or infertility.

As you can see these allergies can cause a number of effects in the body – things many people live with on a daily basis. The good news?  You don’t have to live in discomfort!!  Methods of testing include various elimination and challenge diets, blood tests and stool tests.  If you suspect you might have one of these common food allergies talk to your Naturopathic Doctor or licensed health care professional about discovering your allergies.

Naturopathic medicine is a safe, effective and natural approach to you and your family’s health.  Naturopathic doctors can and will empower you to live a healthy lifestyle while treating and preventing disease.  Find more information on the services I offer at Arbour Wellness Centre at Nanaimo Naturopathic Doctor.

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28
Apr

Stress Reduction Techniques – Breathe or Die and I’m Dead Serious

   Posted by: Dr. Tonia Mitchell ND Tags: , , , , ,

This is the third in a three-article series about stress.  First, we looked at the sources and symptoms of stress then we looked at the physiology of stress.  Now we will explore ways to help your body cope with stress reduction techniques.

As I discussed in the previous two articles, our adrenal glands are in charge of producing hormones that help us cope with stress.  With chronic or repeated stress the adrenal glands can become quite worn out and will not be able to produce these hormones any longer.  The other outcome of chronic stress is elevated levels of hormones in your system that are only meant to be elevated for short periods of time.  In the long run, these hormones make you sick.  The best way to support the adrenal glands is maintaining a daily routine.  The adrenal glands LOVE this like you love your morning coffee.  Try to eat, sleep, exercise, work and study at the same time every day – even on the weekends.  I know!  Even on the weekends!

Stress reduction techniques to decrease your exposure to stress:

  • Blood Sugar: Keeping blood sugar levels steady is very important.  Any internal fluctuation is a stress.  Any stress requires work from your adrenal glands.  Any work from your adrenal glands puts out hormones that if elevated for long periods of time can make you sick.  Have I mentioned this? Choose foods rich in fiber such as (a rainbow of) vegetables along with lean protein (poultry, deep-water, wild fish), and healthy fats (nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil) at each meal to delay stomach emptying .  Try to eat every couple of hours.
  • Stimulants: Sugar, coffee, caffeine and energy drinks are best avoided.  They act like little hijackers that try to take over your physiology.  The constant ups and downs are… guess what?  A big stress to your body as it tries to keep everything in balance.  So the things we do to give us energy actually create more work for our bodies and our poor, little, neglected adrenal glands. Once you improve the health of your adrenal glands you’ll never need another self-medicated pick-me-up.
  • Food Allergies: Food allergies, in fact, any allergy is a stress to the body.  Ask your Naturopathic Doctor or licensed health practitioner to help you figure out what you’re allergic to so you can work towards better health.
  • No: Learn to say it.  Practice with me.  “No”.  See?  That wasn’t so hard now was it?  Learn what your limits are.  Know when your plate is too full and practice graceful ways of saying no.  Your health is more important.
  • Breaks: Take relaxation breaks.  Take personal health days off from work (whether you’re “sick” or are trying to prevent being so).

Stress reduction techniques to increase your stress threshold:

  • Exercise Regularly: We all know we should do it and I can’t emphasize this enough.  Our bodies were designed to move.  Get active; pretend you’re running away from a saber-tooth tiger… otherwise the stress might eat you up!  Get your friends and family involved.  Exercise releases endorphins which are natural pain killers while it also improves your blood sugar control and your mood.
  • Deep Breathing: Another thing we all know, however, most of us don’t breathe properly.  Since it happens automatically we don’t ever think about it.  Put a hand on your abdomen just above the navel and when you breathe in count to four and think about pushing the hand on your belly out with your breath.  Take four counts to breathe out.  Breathe this way 100 times per day – do it when you’re stuck in traffic, waiting at the bank or watching the ads at the theatre before the movie begins.  This is a simple fact: you don’t breathe, you die, and I’m dead serious about that.
  • Play: Do something fun and try to laugh every day.  If it isn’t exercise (always try to get your exercise) then watch a funny movie, have a herbal tea date with a friend, stroll along the beach (if you’re lucky to live by one) or walk your dog.  Take time for yourself because you’ll never “find it.”
  • Delta wave sleep/state: This is a very important state that your brain goes into when you are in deep, non-dreaming sleep.  It recharges our batteries by increasing a hormone called DHEA which helps us grow, detoxify, rejuvenate and restore our energy.  This is part of the reason sleep is so important.  There are even cd’s you can buy that help you get into a delta wave state.  Learn more about DHEA in my article on menopause relief.

The stress reduction techniques listed above are ideas of things you can do to help you decrease your exposure to stress and to help your body cope with the stress that it can’t avoid.  There are several herbs, vitamins and minerals that can help as well.  Talk to a health professional about specifics for you.

Naturopathic medicine is a safe, effective and natural approach to you and your family’s health.  Naturopathic doctors can and will empower you to live a healthy lifestyle while treating and preventing disease.  Find more information on the services I offer at Arbour Wellness Centre at Nanaimo Naturopathic Doctor.

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