Note: This is an OG episode of BFTB. For some of my older episodes, I’ve decided to archive them and make them available only for Premium Submarines. Enjoy this throwback episode.Original episode description: If you identify with the symptoms of borderline personality disorder (also known as BPD or EUPD), it’s likely you’ve heard of “splitting.” Splitting is a defense mechanism that causes a person to view something or someone in ‘black and white’ terms (i.e., “all good” or “all bad.) This episode is part one in a three-part deep dive series on BPD splitting behaviors. If you identify with BPD, it’s likely you’re not conscious of when you’re splitting or why it happens. This can be a very painful and isolating experience. By listening to this series, you'll finally become aware of these self-sabotaging patterns and become better connected to yourself and those around you...
http://backfromtheborderline.com
episode 6: 6. Leaving The "Circle Jerk of Sadness" for the Middle Path (ft. Courtney Cook)
This is part two of my interview Courtney Cook. If you haven't already, go back and listen to episode 5 to get the full context of the interview.
Earlier this year, artist, writer and mental health advocate Courtney Cook released her debut graphic memoir, “The Way She Feels: My Life on the Borderline in Pictures and Pieces." The book provides a candid and brave look at her life and struggles with BPD, depression, anxiety and OCD through a combination of her colorful and unique artwork and personal essays.
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Below is a breakdown of the subjects we covered in this episode:
• Toxic college party and hookup culture and how attending a "big ten" university affected her mental health
• Using sex and intimacy as self-harm and validation (having sex to "feel like we exist in our bodies")
• The importance of knowing and discovering our OWN sexual needs
• The impact early puberty and being sexualized at an early age
• Staying in dangerous, unhappy or toxic relationships due to a fear of being alone
• Finding compassion for our "inner child" and hw we develop feelings of worthlessness
• The "middle path" in life and discovering that boredom might just be peace after all
• Self-soothing methods for splitting episodes
• Handling impulsive and intrusive thoughts by becoming identified with the observer mind (or the "wise mind" in DBT)
• Rethinking recovery as linear and how "better" isn't a destination
• Mental health meme culture and "circle jerks of sadness"
• How teenage friend groups can unknowingly turn toxic and create negative mental health outcomes for one another
• Methods to cope with intrusive thoughts and OCD
• What is "l'appel du vide" (the call to the void) as a reminder and reaffirmation of our will to live
• Playing with our shadows and inner critic through existential kink
• Dissociation and struggling to return to an emotional baseline
• Self compassion and the sweet freedom that comes through feeling our feelings
Follow Courtney on Instagram (@thewaycourtneyfeels)
Visit Courtney's website
Buy "The Way She Feels: My Life on the Borderline in Pictures and Pieces"
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