Structure Can Prevent Hospitalization of Depressed Borderlines

Depressed borderlines can benefit from structure. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and clinical depression often go hand in hand, causing life to be unbearable at times. Sometimes it is necessary to be hospitalized in a safe environment to receive treatment and to provide structure in daily life. I have required psychiatric hospitalization at times. With each hospital stay I am reminded of this most important coping skill for me. As a person with borderline, I must create structure daily to prevent hospitalizations.

Hospitalization with Borderline: Structure After Discharge

Within 24 hours of being admitted to a psychiatric hospital, I meet a therapist whose number one goal is to help me plan for discharge. The therapist wants me to succeed in coping with BPD and depression. Each time I am hospitalized, I am reminded that I must provide structure for myself once I return home. I usually have a lot of time on my hands outside the hospital, so it is important for me to create a daily schedule.

Structure of a Schedule Can Help with BPD and Prevent Hospitalizations

The Structure of a Schedule Encourages Goal Setting

If I have no goals to focus on, I dwell on how depressed I am, and the borderline in me feels hopeless and thinks that I will most certainly be miserable the rest of my life. Goals don't have to be huge. Sometimes it helps to have the simple structure of taking a shower at a certain time or preparing and eating a healthy meal every day. I try to schedule something to look forward to every day.

Adding Structure Can Increase Physical Activity

When I am depressed, I am tempted to sit in my recliner all day, accomplishing nothing. In my daily structure, I am sure to add time periods in which I am on my feet. Exercise is important. Sometimes exercise can be sweeping the floor, vacuuming, cleaning the kitchen, walking the dog, dancing or stretching. Body movement helps me to feel more alive, and, thus, less depressed. Having a schedule reminds me to be more active.

Providing Structure Can Increase Feelings of Safety

If I have an entire day in front of me with nothing scheduled, I sometimes get more depressed and hopeless, or I might panic. A regular routine or schedule helps me to stay more in the present, focused on the task at hand instead of the long day ahead of me. The day doesn't seem quite as overwhelming this way.

Depressed Borderlines Can Be Hospitalized Less with Daily Structure

The more I provide myself with the structure of a daily schedule, the longer I stay out of the hospital. I aim to make time for all of my needs; physical, emotional, spiritual, social and mental. I am rigorous in my management of BPD and depression and providing myself with structure is a vital tool.

Find Laura on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ and on her blog.