INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY CONNECTIONS TM

© 2021 NATIONAL EDUCATION ALLIANCE FOR BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER

INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY CONNECTIONSTM

MODULE 1

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Flexible, spiral learning, built-on over time

Family Connec-ons™ Modules

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IntroductionFamily

EducationRelationshipMindfulness

Family Environment

Skills

Validation Skills

Collaborative ProblemSolving

Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4 Module 5 Module 6


Course & Core Skills Overview

• There are many important skills to learn & master:

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Practicing Non-Judgment

Radical Acceptance

Observing Limits

Valida<onRelationship Mindfulness

Understanding Emotional Dysregulation


What is Family Connec-ons™?

• Education• To help understand BPD symptoms & behaviors

• Skills• Learn how to manage our own emotional responses &

our relationships

• Support• To develop a support network of family members in

similar situations

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Weekly Format

1. A;en<on, emo<on or mindfulness prac<ce

2. Review prac<ce exercises from previous week

3. Presenta<on of new materials

4. Prac<ce, ques<ons, and discussion

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Introductions

• Share a li;le about yourself…

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Group Guidelines

• Punctuality

• Confidentiality

• Practice exercises (to do at home)

• Group consultation

• Creation of a ‘no-blame’ group environment

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Rights of Relatives

1. We need to have “healthy selfishness” (balanced with giving)

2. We need to learn how and when to say “no” effectively3. We need to accept and validate our own emotional

responses while learning to manage our emotions and actions effectively

4. We need to have our own emotional support network5. We need to accept that we cannot solve our relative’s

problems6. We need to accept that we will lose our “cool” at times

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Understanding Emotion Dysregulation

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BPD Diagnosis Criteria

• Features/Criteria• Efforts to avoid abandonment• Unstable interpersonal rela3onships• Unstable iden3ty• Impulsive, self-damaging behavior• Suicidal and/or self-injurious behavior• Affec3ve Instability• Chronic feelings of emp3ness• Intense anger• Paranoia or dissocia3on (zoning out) in response to major

stressor

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* USA uses ‘Borderline Personality Disorder’ (DSM-5)Europe uses ‘Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder’ (ICD-10)

5 Areas of Dysregula-on

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Emotion Dysregulation

Fear, shame, guilt, anger, anxiety, etc.

Interpersonal DysregulationChaotic relationships, isolation, rejection sensitivity, loneliness

Self-Dysregulation

Low self-esteem, self-loathing, lack of

motivation, problems with identity

Behavioral Dysregula9onSuicidality, self-harm, impulsive or

escape behaviors, disrup>on in self-care

Cognitive DysregulationParanoia, thought

distortion, irrational beliefs or fears, loss of

complex thinking


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Emotion Dysregulation



Basic Assumptions (to be Effective)

• It is more effec1ve to interpret things in the most benign way possible (or even be<er – make no interpreta1ons at all)

• There is no one or any absolute truth about the causes of behavior or why things are the way they are

• Everyone is doing the best they can in this moment and wants to improve

• Everyone needs to try harder and be more effec1ve/skillful

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Studies show participants benefit in the following ways:• Decreased grief

• Decreased burden

• Decreased depression

• Increased mastery/empowerment

The skills stay with family members AFTER the course ends.

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Research on Family Connec-ons TM

Documents

INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY CONNECTIONS TM