Category: BPD

Am I Mentally Ill or Just a Generation X? A Psychological and Sociocultural Analysis of Generational Trauma Introduction The question “Am I mentally ill or just a Generation X?” reflects a tension between individual pathology and collective experience. For many members of Generation X (born roughly between 1965 and 1980), symptoms of depression, anxiety, emotional detachment, or cynicism may not be solely the result of personal dysfunction but rather the legacy of a specific sociohistorical upbringing. This paper explores how psychological theories of trauma, development, and resilience intersect with the sociocultural context of Generation X. It argues that the challenges faced by this cohort are best understood not only through a clinical lens but also as manifestations of shared generational conditioning. Generation X in Historical and Cultural Context Generation X was shaped by profound social shifts: rising divorce rates, increased maternal participation in the workforce, and the decline of traditional community structures (Strauss & Howe, 1991). As a result, many children became “latchkey kids,” left unsupervised after school, fostering independence but also emotional neglect (Henderson, 2017). Unlike the Baby Boomers, whose upbringing was characterized by postwar optimism, or Millennials, raised under intensive “helicopter parenting,” Gen X developed under an ethos of self-reliance and skepticism of institutions. The broader cultural environment emphasized stoicism and emotional restraint. Mental health discourse was minimal, and psychiatric treatment carried significant stigma (Kessler et al., 2005). This climate discouraged vulnerability and normalized the suppression of emotional needs, conditions that contemporary psychology would recognize as risk factors for later difficulties in emotional regulation and attachment (Bowlby, 1988).
Posted in Anxiety Borderline Personality Disorder BPD Depression Eating Disorders Economic ethnic minorities

Am I Mentally Ill or Just a Generation X?

A Reflection on Cultural Upbringing, Trauma, and Mental Health Narratives Introduction In recent years, conversations about mental health have become increasingly visible in mainstream culture….

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Some people with BPD describe seeing brief glimpses of "shadow people" — dark shapes just out of sight, especially during moments of stress, panic, or exhaustion. Others describe a strong sense of being watched, even when alone.
Posted in Borderline Personality Disorder BPD Mental Health Trowbridge Service Users Group

Shadow People, Voices, Strange Smells & Presences in BPD: What’s Going On?

When we think about Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), we often picture intense emotions, unstable relationships, and fear of abandonment. But for many people living with…

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Carl Gustav Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and psychologist who founded the school of analytical psychology. A prolific author of over 20 books, illustrator, and correspondent, Jung was a complex and convoluted academic, best known for his concept of archetypes
Posted in Borderline Personality Disorder BPD ethnic minorities LGBTQ+ Meditation Mental Health Mental Health Research Trowbridge Guru Trowbridge Service Users Group TUG News

Mental Health and the Gods: How Ancient Deities Mirror Modern Diagnoses

Intro: What if the gods of Greek and Roman mythology weren’t just distant divine figures—but archetypes of our deepest psychological struggles? From the chaos of…

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carl jung the gods and mentalhealth
Posted in Borderline Personality Disorder BPD ethnic minorities Meditation Mental Health Mental Health Research Trowbridge Guru Trowbridge Service Users Group TUG News

The Gods and Mental Health: A Psychological and Mythological Exploration

The divine figures of ancient mythology often embody extreme and volatile behaviors. In the modern era, psychologists and scholars have examined these mythologies through the…

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masking and mirroring
Posted in Borderline Personality Disorder BPD Mental Health

masking and mirroring

In mental health, masking and mirroring are two different but related social behaviors that people may use—often unconsciously—to navigate social situations, especially when dealing with…

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May is Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is often misunderstood—but it's real, it's serious, and it’s treatable. BPD can cause intense emotional pain, unstable relationships, impulsive behaviors, and a fragile sense of self.
Posted in Borderline Personality Disorder BPD Mental Health MR BPD View Trowbridge Service Users Group

Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder: A Deep Dive into BPD

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition that affects how people feel about themselves, how they relate to others, and how they…

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