Previously called the Overwhelming Emotions Support Group, we are a place to support youth and adults struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)/ Emotional Regulation Disorder (ERD) and/or their families and friends. We are a completely peer-driven support group. We do NOT give medical advice, prescribe treatments, or provide diagnosis. The support group is held in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Some people in our group have not been formally diagnosed with BPD yet. This is alright. The group requires NO formal referral. Although we hope you will come regularly, the group runs on a drop in basis. You may struggle with other co-occurring diagnoses including clinical depression, anxiety, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), eating disorders, learning disabilities, Bipolar Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many may also struggle with addiction issues. Overall, none of us quite feel we can rely on our emotions to regulate themselves. We are united by the common experience of uncertainty and never quite knowing whether we will have a good day or a not so good day. But all is not lost! Through supporting one another we can feel less alone. We can offer support and social connections. We can share our strategies for coping including using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skills. We can enjoy good humor and identify with each others stories.
What we offer…
- Sharing similar experiences
- Sharing knowledge, information, and resources on BPD/ERD
- Non-judgmental support
- Confidentiality
- Hope
- Stigma busting
- Respect for self and others
- Safe and friendly environment
- Socialization
- Validation
- Feeling less alone
Format of the Group
- Announcements – Let’s you know what is going on the in the community, house-keeping
- Purpose Statement – A clear statement about who we are and what we offer
- Comfort Agreement – A set of guidelines we ask everyone to follow
- Check-in – A three minute opportunity for you to share how you are doing and anything you would like to talk about during open sharing
- Open sharing – The floor is opened up for discussion of relevant topics
- Social Time and refreshments
Occasionally guest speakers maybe invited to the group
Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the Month, 7-9pm
Where: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
BC Schizophrenia Society (Victoria Branch)
941 Kings Road off Quadra.
Messages: 250 383 5144 Box # 2127
Email: bpdvictoria@gmail.com
Your blog rocks!! Excellent job!
By: progressiverecovery on April 28, 2010
at 3:44 pm
Thank you for this site… a true blessing in disgise. Please feel free to pass along my secret blog. (identity witheld) I just started it, but would love to find others who also blog.
By: Amy on June 9, 2010
at 6:08 am
Dont know exactly where to post this…..so I shall just leave it here. Couple questions if anyone can answer.
1) is SIB considered a psychotic behavior? Seems that when I am on anti-psychotic medication, that it helps with the intensity of the SIB thoughts & feelings.
2) Does anyone else on here deal with SIB urges on a daily basis? Including having very graphic visuals?
By: Tara on June 26, 2010
at 9:01 am
What does SIB stand for? Do you mean self injury?
By: SupportforBPD on June 26, 2010
at 8:39 pm
Just discovered your blog/group. You rock!
I added you to my blogroll as well as posted a link on my blog. (http://iammental.wordpress.com/)
I also spread the word on my BPD support Tumblr page (borderlinepersonalitysupport.tumblr.com/). I currently run my own BPD support group in my city.
Would love to become more acquainted!
By: iammental on October 14, 2010
at 11:59 pm
i love your website!!! kindly send me mor info to my e.mail..i too am borderline/
By: denise marie weir on November 15, 2010
at 1:21 pm
ive got bpd ill put you on my support page havent came accross this site before sounds really good
By: kevin blumer on December 6, 2010
at 2:33 am
I’d like to come to your meeting on dec 15th if it’s happening with Christmas and everything.
By: Sean Thompson on December 6, 2010
at 7:11 am
Hi Sean,
Love to meet you. We meet every first and third Wednesday of the month at the BC Schizophrenia Society (Victoria Branch) British Columbia Canada, 7 pm 941 Kings Road. Our next meeting is Wednesday March 2nd. Hope to see you there.
Elizabeth
By: SupportforBPD on February 27, 2011
at 5:50 am
It’s great that there are places like this on the internet – where people can get the help they need.
Keep up the good work!
By: howtolivehappily on February 17, 2011
at 8:08 pm
I am new to this blog, but not new to BPD. I am not sure what can be share here and I would like someone to explain the “rules” to me. I have a lot to say, including disrepect from medical professionals, self-harm (not in detail of course”. eating disorders and anxiety attacks, dissociation and PTSD.
By: Heather on February 27, 2011
at 3:29 am
Sorry I missed this month. Will there be a session in September? My mom and I wish to attend.
By: Sarah on August 19, 2011
at 12:39 am
Yes, we are still going strong Sarah! I look forward to seeing you.
Elizabeth
By: SupportforBPD on August 19, 2011
at 9:24 am
Thanks so much for this blog — I hope to attend this coming Wednesday (Sept 21). I can’t wait to check out some other BPD blogs. Mine is http://www.heartjunky.wordpress.com. Did i mention it’s all about me? XO HJ
By: heartjunky on September 16, 2011
at 10:52 pm
Thanks for your blog! I write about this topic too as I have a mother with BPD. I am adding you to my blogroll and hope you’ll do the same (if you like what I am writing, of course!) http://simplelifelessons.wordpress.com/ It is just a way for me to vent since I don’t talk to anyone I know about this issue in my life.
By: Anonymous on September 22, 2011
at 1:35 pm
Not sure if my reply got through but I love your blog! I am adding you to my list! My mother has BPD and I write a blog on my frustrations, observations and to seek support from others who are going through the same thing. My blog is http://simplelifelessons.wordpress.com/ if you would like to link back. Thank you for sharing this blog with the world!
By: Jess on September 22, 2011
at 2:39 pm
great meeting. a little follow up, that i phoned duncan mental health and told them i was experiencing rage and abandonment, and was booked into see a therapist tomorrow morning. the lady on the phone said “well, (the doctor i mentioned at the meeting) doesn’t do much of the therapy — I’ll just say that.” She also said that CBT has been shown to have positive effects on bpd’s, so … i guess i’ll keep you posted. luv to your day. xo hj
By: heartjunky on September 23, 2011
at 5:14 am
Unless she is talking about Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) or Dialectical Behavioral Techniques (as I like to call it in its self-help version) as a form of CBT it does not seem like you have received accurate information. CBT, in it purest form (it has now been widely influenced by DBT) can actually make BPD worse. This is why Marsha Linehan had to develop DBT in the first place. So many participants in her CBT class were dropping out that she had to come up with something radically different. You might consider asking her if she is familiar with DBT. Good luck, Elizabeth. Another option is to take the New Light Recovery Workshop in Victoria, BC (if you can figure out living arrangements) which offers a 18 week peer-led DBT course that I facilitate. Email me at bpdvictoria@gmail.com if you are interested. We are currently interviewing potential applicants.
By: SupportforBPD on September 23, 2011
at 8:19 am
hmmm. well, the name of the program is extremely vague (4-week or 7-week day program), so they are not calling it either DBT or CBT. just looked for online info about it, but there is none
Courses include Stress Management, Core Beliefs, Changeways, Yoga, Emotional Self-Regulation Training, Assertiveness, Drama Therapy, Art Therapy, Lifestyle, and local off-site activities. I feel better now that I have begun one-on-one therapy as well, but I’ll email you for more info on the New Light Recovery Workshop. Many thanks! Soooo glad to be in touch 
)
By: heartjunky on September 23, 2011
at 11:01 pm
I just wanted to say thank touting all our wonderful group members that keep our keep a strong, supportive, skillful group. Keep being yourselves. We couldn’t have this group without our members! As one of the creators of the support group, I truly appreciate everyone’s honesty and commitment for reaching out to get the receive support, even if like in my experience,
By: Baylie on September 24, 2011
at 9:48 pm
Oops.. it sent before I was finished lol. I appreciate everyone’s honesty and commitment to reaching out for support, even if lie in my experience, it has been hard to find the right help. Xo
By: Baylie on September 24, 2011
at 9:50 pm
Eliozabeth, you have done an awesome job on this blog…I love all the great posts people are leaving. Very resourceful! Keep it up! Hazel
By: Hazel on September 28, 2011
at 4:51 pm
CTV is doing a series all this week on suicide and mental health in general, with the slogan: “break the silence, speak out, and offer hope.” Share your stories at:
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/CanadaAM/20110930/suicide-stories-canada-am-series-110930/
hj luv
By: heartjunky on October 6, 2011
at 4:08 am
Hi again
)) it’s Jude here. If there’s anyone who comes to this meeting from the Duncan / Cobble Hill area, id love to split the cost of the trip.
I’m curious to hear others’ thoughts on inward (also known as “quiet”) vs outward borderline, and why these different presentations aren’t more widely known. I posted my own thoughts and findings at http://heartjunky.wordpress.com/2011/10/23/inwards-vs-outwards-no-one-is-better-no-one-suffers-more/.
Still loving just knowing you’re there.
Thx and blessings …
By: heartjunky on October 29, 2011
at 7:29 am
Hey!
Nice to hear from you. Sorry if noone replied till now. I wanted to get back to you thought about your two questions.
I will ask the group if anyone comes from Duncan/Cobble Hill area, as I realize that, that can add up for sure. As of now, I dont think there is. But I will put it out to the group and double check for you.
I haven’t heard about inward vs outward Borderline, but I’m curious too, and will check out your link.
How are you?
Take Care
Baylie
By: Anonymous on November 17, 2011
at 7:37 am
I just came across this site after a long search for help within the community, only to find most of the services are for women only, while they think men should be able to handle it themselves. I deal with PTSD in regards to the trauma of being sexually abused as a kid, and yet there’s only a Women’s sexual assault centre in town where men are not welcome.
I also live with Epilepsy (controlled by Brain Surgery 2003) and the constant discrimination within our community because of it. Things such as not being allowed to drive and being classed unemployable “for the safety of others”.
Also being sexually fixed, and even taken to court for attempting to marry a woman who also has epilepsy (we’d been dating since high school). It’s as if our society is saying people with disabilities are not allowed to be treated like normal people, just in case! Thoughts of suicide have often been the result, wondering if people including my family would really miss me, or just be glad that’s over?
By: Matthew Ford on November 17, 2011
at 6:06 am
Hey Matthew,
Thanks for leaving us a message. Im sorry to hear the struggles you’ve been dealing with finding a group and with stigma around having disabilities. We welcome you to join our group, and although our focus is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), alot of people struggle with PTSD or PTSD like symptoms in our group. I also understand how hard it is to be discriminated against and this is a topic that arises in group. We also discuss some of the topics you brought up such as thoughts of suicide, and trauma. I hope my reply is helpful. We had a group tonight, so Im sorry you missed us but we are always here the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 941 Kings Street. The next group is on Dec. 7, 2011. Hope to see you there.
Take Care
Baylie
A Facilitator
“There is Hope and Help”
By: Anonymous on November 17, 2011
at 7:33 am
There used to be a place in Victoria called the Men’s Sexual Assault Center but they were forced to change the name as Female Activists delaired it to be Discriminatory. If it is, then what about the Women’s Sexual Assault Centre only accepting Women and Children…why is that still allowed?
It’s now called the Men’s Trauma Center and only deals with issues such as the loss of a loved one, or getting over the shocking memories of a car accident. Stuff like that.
By: Matthew on November 17, 2011
at 6:16 am
Thanks Baylie. It’s good to hear back from you. I’ve made some pretty big discoveries about the subtypes of bpd and the treatment options here on the island, and have recently posted them on my blog. I have left the day program here at the Cowichan Valley VIHA. I’m not sure what is going to happen next for me. I am still seeing a therapist here at VIHA, and doing a lot of art therapy. I’m also finding healing in Codependents Anonymous as well as something called Systemic Family Constellations. I’m looking into being able to attend some DBT therapy down there in Victoria at some point in the future (got my name on the list for the New Light Recovery Workshop), but mostly just taking it one day at a time here on the long and winding road
By: heartjunky on November 21, 2011
at 9:08 pm
I am struggling with life as it crumbles beneath me. I think I have BPD the more I read. It has been a long haul getting to this point. Looking for some resources on the North Island (Campbell River area); anyone with any suggestions?
By: Anonymous on January 24, 2012
at 8:52 am