What Is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)? American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) defines BPD as a serious mental health condition that affects a person’s patterns of thinking, feeling, self-image, and relationships. While BPD often draws attention in adults, research shows that it can be diagnosed reliably in adolescents — sometimes as young as…
If you’re currently enrolled in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for mental health treatment or having weekly sessions, you might wonder about the benefit of adding a support group. Are they really effective? The truth is, adding a peer-led support group to your IOP treatment or standard therapy sessions can significantly enhance your recovery journey. While IOPs…
This week I’ve been thinking about relationships. Have you ever wondered why you keep dating the same type of person when it’s not working out for you? Or why certain fights with your partner feel familiar, even though you swore you’d never repeat your parents’ mistakes? Or maybe you find yourself behaving like your parents…
Burnout has been on my mind. Each day feels filled with demands on our time, energy, and emotions. I want to share ideas on managing burnout and would love to hear what you do. Understanding Burnout in the Real World Burnout doesn’t care about vacation days or self-care routines. It appears when you juggle jobs,…
Most of us spend a lot of time in our minds’ time machine—replaying the past, worrying about the future, and missing the only place we can truly live: the present moment. It’s natural to want to understand what went wrong yesterday or to plan for what’s coming next week, but getting stuck there can create…
As a parent, you naturally watch for signs your child is healthy and thriving. But while we’re quick to notice a fever or scraped knee, recognizing mental health struggles in young children can feel much harder. Is this just a phase? Am I overreacting? When should I actually seek help? If you’re asking these questions, you’re…
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition that affects how people think, feel, and connect in relationships. Individuals with BPD often struggle with intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, self-harm, or fears of abandonment. These challenges can feel overwhelming for both the individual and their loved ones. Fortunately, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is one of the…
The answer is yes. When people think of eating disorder treatment, they often imagine long hospital stays or residential programs, away from their homes and families. For some this can get in the way of seeking treatment. No doubt about it, while inpatient care can be life-saving in medical or crisis situations, not every individual with…
Perfectionism often carries a heavy reputation. It’s frequently linked with stress, anxiety, and burnout—but the truth is, perfectionism isn’t all bad. In fact, loving your perfectionism can mean embracing its strengths while learning to soften its edges. By understanding both the positives and negatives, you can find a healthier balance and use your perfectionism to…
One of the hardest parts of living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is the deep fear of being abandoned or left behind. For someone with BPD, even small things—like a friend canceling plans, a partner not answering a text quickly, or a loved one seeming distracted—can feel terrifying. This fear is not just a little worry. It…
