Recovery and Hope

_{From: Borderline personality disorder: An information guide for families. (© 2009 CAMH)}

I am learning to deal with loss and grief and accept my daughter for who she is. I am not expecting a perfect ending but I do have more hope for the future and I know I am not alone.
— a family client

Research has shown that people can recover from BPD and that their recovery is often long-lasting.

Everyone’s path to recovery is different, whether you are the individual with BPD or a family member or friend. Recovery involves the development of new meaning and purpose in life as people grow beyond the impact of BPD. We think O’Grady and Skinner (2007) say it best: “Recovery has also been described as a process by which people recover their self-esteem, dreams, self-worth, empowerment, pride, dignity and meaning.”

Both the individual with BPD and their family members will go through this process of recovery. As a family member, you can instill hope that changes can be achieved by providing support to your loved one as you all go through the long journey of recovery.

It is important to understand though that recovery is not a straight path. There will be deviations along the way that can involve relapse into old behaviours, and the person may or may not return to their previous level of functioning. On the path to recovery, your family member may need medication or further contact with the treatment system.

For people to achieve and maintain recovery from BPD, they need to:

• be treated as unique and important
• be treated as a human being with goals and dreams
• have the freedom to make choices and decisions about their lives
• be treated with dignity and respect
• accept that their unique journey through life has taken a  different path
• recognize that recovery is the potential to become free of symptoms by following an individualized treatment plan
• acknowledge that relapse is a common and expected part of recovery, but does not mean they have “failed” or that previous gains are lost, rather, it is a chance to learn and move forward again
• have hope about their future
• engage in meaningful relationships with others who care and do not stigmatize
• have a routine and structure to their day marked by meaningful activities that may or may not include work (paid or volunteer)
• receive a reliable and steady source of income
• live in stable, clean and comfortable housing, whether it is an independent living situation or supportive housing
• accept that recovery may require a structured community day treatment program or other links to professional mental health and addiction systems of care
• recognize that pets may be important
• recognize that spirituality or religious beliefs and practices may be important.

More information on recovery is available in A Family Guide to Concurrent Disorders, listed on p. 44.

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