Friday, August 21, 2020

Managing Money With Borderline Personality Disorder

Managing Money With Borderline Personality Disorder BPD Living With BPD Print How to Manage Finances With BPD By Erin Johnston, LCSW Erin Johnston, LCSW is a therapist, counselor, coach, and mediator with a private practice in Chicago, Illinois. Learn about our editorial policy Erin Johnston, LCSW Updated on December 08, 2019 Bruce Ayres / Getty Images More in BPD Living With BPD Diagnosis Treatment Related Conditions Its not unusual for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) to struggle with financial issues. The challenges you face may be made worse by a chronic lack of money. Creditors may even be calling, which can feel like verification of your worst thoughts about yourself. Personal Finance Problems BPD can cause all sorts of problems that can harm your finances, including: Impulsive behaviors like excessive spending:  One of the diagnostic criteria for BPD is impulsive behavior that is potentially self-damaging. Many people with BPD spend money excessively, triggering emotional reactions and worsening symptoms.Alcohol and drug use may also result in cash flow issues: If you struggle with BPD, you may be tempted to self-medicate or soothe your symptoms with drugs or alcohol. While these substances have many harmful physical effects,  they also can be very expensive. Some people with BPD lose control and end up losing their money trying to fund their addictions.Medical and mental health costs: Medical and mental health treatment can be expensive. In addition to the cost of treatment for borderline personality disorder, many of those with BPD also experience other medical or mental health issues that require medical intervention and result in additional costs. This is a sad reality  but it does not mean that anyone should cut corners when it comes to heal th. It may seem difficult, but ignoring your financial situation only makes it worse. Addressing your finances honestly is a first step to improve your situation. There are no quick fixes, but consistent changes can produce great results. Put Together a Budget Budgets do not have to be complicated; you dont need special software programs or ledgers. A simple piece of paper will work just fine. It is important to be realistic in your planning and not set yourself up to fail. Confront Your Bills Stop piling the bills up or sticking them unopened in a drawer. Open the bills to find out what is due and the terms of payment. Lifestyle Choices It may be necessary for you to make some lifestyle changes. If substance use or spending habits are keeping you from getting ahead or preventing you from breaking even, then making some changes can impact your finances. A couple of places to start are to  quit smoking  if youre a smoker and  quit drinking. Communicate With Treatment Providers If medical and treatment costs are an issue for you, discuss the issue with your providers. Medical costs can often be negotiated down or lower-cost medications can be prescribed. Some therapists operate on a sliding scale, meaning the treatment may be cheaper based on your financial situation. Borderline personality disorder can make managing money difficult, but with continual therapy and a focus on managing your finances, you can create a solid foundation.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.