Mum freaking out over new lockdown

[Hattie]

Here in the UK large parts of the country have gone into lockdown again tonight, following the emergence of a new strain of covid. This has effectively cancelled Xmas plans for a lot of people.

My mum is freaking out over this. She was supposed to be coming to mine and we were going to hang out in the garden, but now it is against the rules for her to travel to my area.

It is really triggering to have to deal with her anxiety. I mean, it is crap on a lot of levels. I'm disappointed too.

I just wish she had more friends who live near her. Then this wouldn't all be so loaded

[Poison Ivy]

I'm sorry you're having to deal with your mum's freakout. I'm with you: "it is what it is."

[guitarman]

You are not alone.

I'm in the UK as well. It's all been a bit of a shock to find out about the new regulations when we've already made plans for Christmas. I'm trying to stay calm and sensible about it all. So many people were looking forward to Christmas after such a stressful year for us all. Now those plans are in disarray for many.

Some people find it difficult to self soothe and take a long time to calm down after getting upset. Their emotional outbursts can seem out of all proportion and extreme. Everything can seem exaggerated but for them their emotions and feelings are very real.

A way to help is by staying calm and validating their feelings rather than criticising or saying that they are being unreasonable, I know it can be a difficult skill to learn and put into practise.

Some people maybe feeling scared, frightened and feel threatened and exhibit those feelings by getting extremely upset and anxious. They may find it difficult to articulate exactly what it is they are feeling.

You may find this video series of help to you from the NEABPD National Education Alliance for BPD website. It is called "Open Your Mind Before You Open Your Mouth" which may explain things better for you.

https://www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.org/video-series/

There are also recordings of past webinars about BPD on the website as well

https://www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.org/webinars/

I've just been watching the video about "Radical Acceptance" on the NEABPD YouTube channel.

Keep calm. Keep strong. Keep posting.