People with borderline personality disorder are often afraid of abandonment by those they depend on for physical and emotional support. When the pandemic happened, many dependent behaviors become inaccessible, such as relying on others for rides, grocery shopping, home maintenance, and more. For those with borderline personality disorder to be independent, they need to learn how to function independently during and after the pandemic.
Create New Plans Based on Independence
When you social distance, the person you rely on for rides, emotional support, or other means may not be there because they need to protect their health and yours. You will have to adapt to new measures of independence. If your job is remote, you will not have to depend on a loved one driving you to work. However, if you still have to go to work in person, you can use ride-sharing apps where professional drivers can take you to work and use safety measures. To cook your food instead of eating out, you can take a look at recipes online as well as video tutorials. Taking everything one day at a time and only asking your loved ones questions when necessary will help you gain independence.
Celebrate Your Gains Now
Remember to celebrate what you have accomplished during the pandemic. Remember how impressive it was that you were able to maintain independence during a global crisis. Think about your ability to relax at home instead of having to meet someone somewhere. You can also give yourself credit if you were using apps that helped you deliver your groceries instead of relying on someone else to take you shopping. Once you can resume your normal life after the pandemic, you will get used to this newfound independence you developed and the confidence to continue it.
Continue Your Progress Going Forward
You may feel the need to depend on your loved one again once the two of you receive the vaccine. However, you do not want to slip back into unhealthy habits after developing some beneficial ones during the pandemic. COVID-19 showed us you could be with your loved ones without depending on them for favors. It is essential to be surrounded by people because you want them and not because you need them. Maintaining independence after the pandemic will show you have come a long way with your borderline personality disorder.
Borderline personality disorder may cause you to depend on others for physical or emotional needs instead of being independent. If the pandemic has caused you to be independent while social distancing, it is essential to maintain that independence to better grow as a person. At Alta Loma, we understand how complex borderline personality disorder can be in establishing independence, and we are here to help you. Our transformative treatment center offers you individualized therapy, coping skills education, therapeutic recreational activities, a long-term continuum of care, and much more. Give us a call at (866) 457-3843 for more information.
