After years of living with borderline personality disorder (BPD), and being told she might never recover, Courtney chose courage. Stepping forward to do the Zipslide the Clyde for Change Mental Health meant not only raising funds but also being a voice for others with BPD. It created a reminder that recovery is possible, even when it feels out of reach.

At just 19 years old, Courtney has navigated a challenging mental health journey shaped by grief, trauma and a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD). The path has been far from smooth, marked by twists and turns that have often felt impossible to navigate. Yet through it all, she has built strength and resilience, using her experience as a voice and testament that recovery is possible for others in similar circumstances.

Courtney’s early life was much like that of many other children across the country, but then suddenly it wasn’t. At just ten years old, Courtney’s mum passed away, leaving her devastated, confused and left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart. Reflecting on that time of her life, she said: “This profound rupture left a void in my family and became a critical turning point in my young life.”

While still trying to find a sense of normality through her grief as she entered high school, Courtney’s mental health started to deteriorate further. “I faced constant bullying, an experience that severely compounded my grief and trauma.” 

Courtney is not the only teenager to have faced experiences like these. Many young people are confronted with trauma and mental health challenges that intertwine during these formative years. In Scotland, 62% of children have lost a family member by the age of 10. Alongside this, just under a fifth (18%) of young people reported being bullied at school.

Overwhelmed by the bullying at school and her grief, Courtney resorted to self-harm and disordered eating – coping mechanisms that, during this time, felt like the only way to stay in control. “This time in my life was defined by an all-consuming battle with self-harm, a desperate and painful coping mechanism that dominated my mind and thoughts.” What brought momentary relief, however, quickly led to more serious consequences, including repeated hospital stays.

With all the challenges Courtney faced in her early life, it all came to a head at the age of 15 when she was hospitalised for two and a half years. During this time, she was diagnosed with BPD. “Being 15 years old with a diagnosis of BPD was difficult. It took a long time for me to wrap my head around it.”

fighting for recovery

Determined to find stability after finally having the words to describe her experience, Courtney looked to give recovery her best shot. “I dedicated myself to intensive therapeutic work, engaging in DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy), psychotherapy and psychological therapy.”

Talking therapies, such as DBT, can aid BPD recovery. They help individuals recognise and accept difficult thoughts and behaviours, while building healthier coping strategies – like mindfulness and breathwork – to replace harmful patterns and better manage distress. Evidence supports DBT as an effective therapy for BPD and is often recommended as a first-line treatment.

Her first discharge in December 2023 brought hope, but also new challenges. “Leaving the hospital was incredibly difficult. I struggled to adjust and I ended up being readmitted not long after.”

Despite efforts to improve her mental health during this time, transitioning to adult health services at 18 proved to be one of the most frustrating parts of her journey. “I was told I would ‘never get better’, that I was ‘chronically suicidal’ and that there was nothing they could do to help me.”