But, research suggests that people with BPD have difficulties developing good support networks. It is not easy to find support if you have strained relationships with friends and family. So, where can you find support? Here are some ideas.
Support From Family
Yes, many people with BPD have strained relationships with family, either because of past trauma or because the symptoms of BPD can interfere with family relationships (or a combination of both). But look a little closer. Maybe you can’t get support from your immediate family, but are there aunts, uncles, cousins, step-siblings, or other extended family members that you can get support from?
Support From Friends
Some people with BPD have few friends because the symptoms of the disorder have gotten in the way of friendships. Others have friends but have difficulty reaching out to them for support. If you don’t have enough friends, keep reading for ideas on how to find and build friendships. But, if you do have some friends, consider leaning on them for support occasionally if you don’t already.
Support From Professionals
If you have BPD (or care about someone who does), the importance of professional support cannot be underestimated. People with BPD need professional treatment; the symptoms of this disorder are very intense and you should not go it alone. If you don’t already have a mental health professional that you work with, learn more about finding a therapist so that you can have helpful discussions with them.
Support Groups
In addition to online groups, there are support groups in most communities for people with mental health issues. For example, the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) runs support groups. See the NAMI website for details on where to find one near you. There was an error. Please try again.
Social Groups
Sometimes joining social groups that are not focused on support can help you make connections and friendships that can then turn into sources of support. For example, join a ski club, a hobby club, a book club, or a church group. Starting here will help you build a social network that you can turn to in times of need.
Hotlines
Sometimes the best source of support in a pinch is a telephone or online hotline. These are completely confidential and available twenty-four hours a day—something that is not always true for friends or other sources of support. There are also online hotlines you can use like the RAINN hotline for sexual assault and abuse. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
Other Sources of Support
There are hundreds of other ways to find support, but it can be hard to come up with ideas when you are dealing with a crisis. Instead of trying to find support when you are under stress, make it a priority to think of ways to build support when you are not in a crisis. Where can you meet caring people who might make good friends? For example, consider volunteering or other activities where you will meet people who care about the well-being of others. Once you have some ideas, push yourself to actually try some of these activities. You will be surprised at how quickly you can start to build a social support network when you push yourself to get to know people.
