The Importance of Relaxation

image from Fir0002/Flagstaffotos

Relaxation can :

• Help speed up psychotherapy
• Decrease depression and anxiety
• Decrease agitation which is a sign of a mood swing that is going to occur.
• Reduce stress hormones which in excess can cause various health problems including heart disease,depression,sleeping problems,headaches,stomach problems...
• Improve your communication skills
• Reduce anger
• Help you find what your deepest personal value is
• Help you deal with a crisis and with impulsivity in a healthy way.

Various Types of Relaxation & Stress-Reduction Techniques

BPD and Mood Disorders

Did you know ?

If you have BPD (borderline personality disorder) chances are very high you will also have a mood disorder (a.k.a affective disorder)

One study found that about 96% of patients with BPD met criteria for a mood disorder. 

•  about 83% of patients with BPD also met criteria for major depressive disorder(aka clinical depression)

• about 39% of patients with BPD also met criteria for dysthymic disorder.

According to NAMI :

Co-morbidity with other disorders:

Major Depressive Disorder                                                --  60 percent

Dysthymia  (chronic, moderate to mild depression)          --  70 percent

Eating Disorders                                                               --  25 percent

Substance Abuse                                                               -- 35 percent

Bipolar Disorder                                                                -- 15 percent

What is Major Depressive Disorder?

Crisis Skills 1

Feel like its all too much & you want to urgently tear your hair out?
Don't worry this will pass,I've outlined lots of suggestions below to help.



3 things to memorize/write down :

 1) Distract

 2) Relax

 3) Cope

Memory Aid 
Dinosaurs Relax in Coats
or
 Dinosaurs Race Cows
whichever one you like best (or make up your own)

Distract

To distract from urges to self-harm & an anxiety provoking thought.
Hold some ice cubes or splash cold water on your eyes. Use a pipette to let red food coloring