I’ve been thinking about rejection. I live with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), where real—or even perceived—rejection can feel especially intense and can rapidly shift my emotional state, triggering a deep fear of abandonment and strong urges to seek reassurance. This is especially hard for me at my job because I work with many women in…
Category: My BPD & HPD & Alcoholism
Looking Back On 3 Years Of Sobriety
My sobriety date is August 1st, 2023. During a recent visit, my parents brought a cake to celebrate my third year of continuous sobriety. Both they and Michael are proud of my persistence to remain sober. Every day, I think about my alcoholism. I have to, because this disease is cunning, baffling, and powerful. If…
The Successful Conclusion To My Lifelong Therapeutic Journey
Mental Health Struggles & Alcoholism It all began for me in 1997 when I entered a 28-Day Treatment Program for binge/blackout drinking. Soon after, I participated in a Mental Health Day Treatment Program and started therapy at Avalon Sexual Assault Centre. During this time I was misdiagnosed with ADHD, DDNOS and PTSD. Years past as…
Am I Willing To Trust In God?
Last night during a Nova Scotia based Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Zoom Meeting that I attend on a somewhat regular basis, a member joined us from the UK. It was his first time to this meeting. When he shared, he had a calm knowing about him and radiated a spirituality that inspired me. He rhetorically asked:…
The Distinct Languages of AA, DBT & CPT
I had an Ah-Ha moment last night. I realized that there are the distinct languages of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). August 1st, 2023 – After decades of struggle, I reentered the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous, accepted I am an alcoholic and embraced Step 1. Next, I dove…
Cognitive Processing Therapy – Understanding & Learning – The Life Skill Of Trust
Dreams Currently, I am a recovering alcoholic in a 12-Step Program with over 2 years of sobriety. This past week, I’ve had three separate dreams where I made the choice to drink. Another night this week, I had an awful nightmare where someone was trying to murder me. In the dream, I was terrified and…
Cognitive Processing Therapy – Themes – Safety & Trust & Trust Star
Information provided about Safety & Trust & Trust Star is from the CPT Week 8 Slide Presentation by Susan McDevitt, MSW/RSW – for the CPT 12-Week Group Sessions at Community Mental Health & Addictions (CMHA) Safety Beliefs About Myself Safety Beliefs About Others Trust Beliefs About Myself Self-trust involves the belief that people trust their…
Cognitive Processing Therapy – Levels Of Responsibility
Levels Of Responsibility In understanding trauma, my therapist explains Levels of Responsibility. This information helps me understand how as a child and young teenager, I am not responsible for a tragedy that resulted in a traumatic event for me. How my feelings of guilt as a result of this traumatic event are not a real…