-Component Parts of Bellman Syndrome -Early Childhood Abuse -Sexual Abuse -Emotional Dysregulation -Dysfunctional Relationship Patterns -Disassociation -genetics -Conditioning -injury -may have relationship to abuse -Chronic Pain -Addiction to pain killers -Addiction/withdrawal/Increased Pain Cycle -Breaking Multiple Intertwined conditioned patterns.
The complex challenge is that the pain and emotional intensity of being abused and having the physiological and neurological conditioning of this and BPD and whatever other DNA we got for ADD, or OCD or Bipolar Disorder, creates an emotional dysregulation that is incapacitating. The way the body,the person copes with this often intensifies the neural pathways and disturbs brain functioning, with the result of poor self esteem, ruined relationships and skills, suicidal and self-destructive behavior.In this syndrome we have the person's history and physiology leading to body injury.Body injury is very common because people with BPD disassociate,have intense emotions and accidents.In this example the injury begins with treatment of pain that leads to addiction to pain medication. thus,there is a multiplier effect of BPD+Pain+Addiction that is very powerfully conditioned into almost every physical,neurological and psychological system of the body. So, to treat the syndrome we use a team approach that works on every system in a flexible complete journey to healing.
The multiple changing needs of the person with this syndrome require multiple changing responses. We are then constantly triaging the treatment needs of the person and responding.Thus, one day the need is to reduce suicidal or "cutting" behavior,while the next day the top issue is the urge to use or the pain becomes "unbearable. A "good" day can actually reduce one symptom,while triggering more intensity in others. This is why we triage but treat the mind body and spirit of the person simultaneously with a team approach.
The team approach brings together specialists from many disciplines. Each person on the team often wears many "hats" to adjust to treatment needs. For example, an Internist, Psychiatrist and Accupunctuist and zen oriented Dialectical Behavioral Therapist could work on emotional regulation one day, and addiction urges the next.
The flexibility for multivariate team treatment thus requires constant communication between team members. Team meetings are also critical for accurate continual assessment, and to keep everyone's focus and morale up,especially as "splitting" behavior and attendant transferences can cloud the clinical picture. There also needs to be a team leader for each area for treatment, for example.An MD for medication, a pain management team leader, a personal therapist to connect with the person's immediate experience etc.This is a wonderful opportunity to share and create a healing experience that is a positive synergy.
Healing and gratitude are important,there will most likely be complete brain mapping and computer simulations in the future with innovative treatment for moods and physiology. But right now we can help people heal with the right resources [which are so scarce in the world],and the right attitudes and approaches.In the over twenty-five years I have gotten to work with people I have always considered it a special honor to be involved in their lives. Every day I am grateful for the chance to work, and this helps our attitude helps our clients,this is hard to maintain,which is why healers need healing, and teamwork works.So much like our syndrome,gratitude is a feeling,a reaction, a state of being and a journey to a way to be.
Contact Eric Bellman LCSW at: westlakedr@aol.com Office 32129 lindero Canyon Road Suite 108-E Westlake Village CA. 91361