Product Description
Over six million Americans suffer from borderline personality disorder (BPD), a chronic, disabling psychiatric condition that causes extreme instability in their emotional lives, behavior, and self-image and severely impacts their family and friends. But despite the devastation it can cause, borderline personality disorder remains largely overlooked by the medical community, misunderstood by the public, and many people continue to go misdiagnosed or untreated. In Borderline Personality Disorder Demystified, Dr. Robert Friedel, a leading expert on the disorder and a pioneer in its treatment, turns his vast personal experience into a useful and supportive guide for everyone living with and seeking to understand this condition. Friedel sheds light on all the intricacies of borderline personality disorder, such as the course it takes, the difficulties in diagnosing it, and the types of treatment available, and offers effective advice on the best ways to cope with it. Filled with wisdom and encouragement, Borderline Personality Disorder Demystified is essential reading for everyone diagnosed with BPD, those who think they might have the illness, and friends and family who love and support them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (38)

Great overview of BPD!
As a social work student, I was looking for comprehensive, easily accessible information about Borderline Personality Disorder - this book filled the bill!Highly recommended to new practitioners and lay people alike.

Very Helpful
I bought this book just after I was diagnosed. I though it explained how I feel so well that I gave it to my parents to read so they could understand what I am going through and they found it extremely helpful.

Straightforward and Helpful
This book doesn't overwhelm you with a lot of jargon or "psycobable", just honest and useful information written by someone who obviously cares about the subject. This is sort of a "primer" on BPD that anyone newly diagnosed (or a family member) will find useful. There is even a special section for family and friends to help them understand and deal with their BPD loved one.

Borderline Personality more mystifying then before
There were some things I got from this book that were helpful in the terms of understanding yourself better. The problem with this book is, it is very hard to understand the majority of the time. It is as though the only thing the author wanted to demystify was the title. I am an intelligent person who has read many a book on BPD, and there were many times I was confused and didnt feel at all like someone was helping me to understand something. Whatever good you get out of it is overshadowed by how hard it is trying to understand his medical jargon. Extremely complicated prose makes me wish I would have spent my money on something that would have been more helpful.

Good book, but not as good as some of the others
I liked this book, but after having read it and Bipolar Disorder Demystified together, it wasn't quite as good. Very informative, though. ... Read more

Product Description

For family members of people with borderline personality disorder (BPD), home life is routinely unpredictable and frequently unbearable. Extreme mood swings, impulsive behaviors, and suicidal tendencies—common conduct among those who suffer from the disorder—leave family members feeling confused, hurt, and helpless.

Customer Reviews (21)

The essential family guide to borderline personality disorder: new tools and techniques to stop walking on eggshells
This book provided additional insight into BPD.I have tried some of the techniques suggested by the author and I must say they have worked better than I would have imagined.So I will continue to put the many suggestions into practice.Well written with theory and practical mixed in.I would recommend this to anyone who has to deal with a loved one with BPD.

Excellent Service and product
I recieved the book in a timely manner. It was in brand new condition. Very Very Satisfied.

Practical and thoughtful book
THis is a great book for folks who wonder what may be "wrong" with someone in their family---the truth is, without a professional diagnosis one can't be sure---but to me, the insights into challenging family members provided a unique and sympathetic approach to handling and supporting people who may or may not have BPD.The descriptions of the syndrome, the ways to approach and work to support people is terrific.I would recommend this book highly---it has been enormously helpful for me. The book is direct, practical and positive.

A MUST read for families, friends, clinicians, doctors, etc.

I wish there was a better way to get the word out that this book is hands down a MUST read for anyone who has been impacted by someone they care about living with a personality disorder. I am a clinical social worker and I recommend this book whenever possible-- to the families of my clients, when I am giving presentations or teaching students. Although the book is specifically written for how to cope, understand and interact with someone living with BPD, Kreger offers some great suggestions for anyone in need of support for how to interact with a person having problems with interpersonal relationships and managing emotions.

You can read the first chapter "Welcome to Oz" in it's entirety on Google Books. However, there are two chapters I continually find to be the most helpful. Chapter 3: "Making sense of your relationship" is excellent. It offers insight for the reader to better understand how BPD features challenge a relationship. Kreger describes easy to understand concepts such as childlike characteristics, low emotional intelligence, rejection sensitivity and impulsive aggression. I also highly recommend Chapter 9: "Communicate to be heard," which educates the reader on BPD communication deficits and how to create a "climate of cooperation" with the person living with BPD. Kreger walks you through step by step how to verbally acknowledge what the other person is feeling. She offers specific words that can be used with the person such as "I want to hear about it, but it's hard for me when things get too emotional. I want to give you my full attention and that's too hard for me to do right now. Let me have a little while to calm down and then we can talk" Kreger's writing style is accessible and easy to follow. There are case examples in the book, but they are not too overpowering. The book is packed with useful information that will hit home for many readers.

An insite to dealing with a borderline personality - Easy to read and sensible
The family guide is written in an easy to understand manner.Learning to deal with this problem is essential if you have even a distant family member with this disorder. Written at a level the high school members of the family can understand. ... Read more

Product Description

Your clear, compassionate guide to managing BPD — and living well

Looking for straightforward information on Borderline Personality Disorder? This easy-to-understand guide helps those who have BPD develop strategies for breaking the destructive cycle. This book also aids loved ones in accepting the disorder and offering support. Inside you'll find authoritative details on the causes of BPD and proven treatments, as well as advice on working with therapists, managing symptoms, and enjoying a full life.

• Review the basics of BPD — discover the symptoms of BPD and the related emotional problems, as well as the cultural, biological, and psychological causes of the disease

• Understand what goes wrong — explore impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, identity problems, relationship conflicts, black-and-white thinking, and difficulties in perception; and identify the areas where you may need help

• Make the choice to change — find the right care provider, overcome common obstacles to change, set realistic goals, and improve your physical and emotional state

• Evaluate treatments for BPD — learn about the current treatments that really work and develop a plan for addressing the core symptoms of BPD

• If someone you love has BPD — see how to identify triggers, handle emotional upheavals, set clear boundaries, and encourage your loved one to seek therapy

Open the book and find:

• The major characteristics of BPD

• Who gets BPD — and why

• Recent treatment advances

• Illuminating case studies

• Strategies for calming emotions and staying in control

• A discussion of medication options

• Ways to stay healthy during treatment

• Tips for explaining BPD to others

• Help for parents whose child exhibits symptoms

• Treatment options that work and those you should avoid

Customer Reviews (8)

Excellent!
This is an excellent book!It is clear and practical.I believe that anyone struggling with BDP or who interacts with someone with BPD will find this book very helpful.

Good Info, Bad Advice
I found that this book was very good at explaining the more technical jargon and was excellent at moving through the various stages and facets of the disorder.

What gives me great pause was the dire finality in the chapters regarding the partner/husband/wife/friend of one suffering with BPD.It gives no advice as to how to implement any new strategies in understanding (which is what would be beneficial) of the BPD sufferer - it only gives ways to safely end a relationship and not allow violence.Yes, that is probably important to discuss, but it paints Borderlines as masochistic, manic individuals.

I felt that these chapters were "borderline" ridiculous....at best.

A must-read for BPD sufferers and people who care about them
This book is well written and offers excellent insights and advice to anyone suffering from BPD, as well as those who love someone with the disorder. Except for its easy-to-read style, there is nothing "dummy-ish" about this book. Highly recommended.

Helpful resource
Great overview of the disease and its various manifestations presented in a wonderfully humorous manner. A good way to share this info with family and friends.

simple language
specific book on BPD, easy understand, allthough i wasnt impressed with the last chapter which basically tells anyone who is in a relationship with someone suffering from BPD- that they should end that relationship and how!!! ... Read more

Product Description
Discover Exciting New Treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder
Now you can overcome the symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and develop a more positive outlook on life, starting today. Inside is a compassionate and complete look at the most up-to-date information on managing the symptoms of BPD as well as coping strategies for you, your friends, and your loved ones. This thoughtful book will teach you how to manage your moods, develop lasting and meaningful relationships, and create a fulfilling, happier state of mind. Your new world of hope starts now as you uncover:
·Effective methods for building self-esteem and minimizing negative thoughts
·Early intervention for children with BPD symptoms
·Information on how psychotherapy can help modify and enhance coping abilities
·Cutting-edge alternative and complementary therapies
·And much more! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Top Five Favorite BPD Books!
Dr. Bockian knows how much I love this book, as it is one that I recommend on my own site. I used this book to put together my personal treatment plan after my diagnosis, and, now, fully recovered from BPD symptoms, I use it when coaching others today.

Excellent!

Tami Green[..]

New Hope for People with Borderline Personality Disorder: Your Friendly, Authoritative Guide to the Latest in Traditional and Co
Complete title:
New Hope for People with Borderline Personality Disorder: Your Friendly, Authoritative Guide to the Latest in Traditional and Complementary Solutions
Review:
This is an excellent guide for those who have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.Great information.Super fast delivery.Highly recommend to others.

excellent resource for understanding BPD
As a person struggling with BPD, I really appreciated the validating tone of this book.DBT is the BEST!!!It will get you back on track!!

The Whole Enchilada
Dr. Bockian leaves nothing out of this very useful aid to BPD. Starting with a penetrating description of BPD, the book then provides information on diagnosis, various therapies and treatments and how and where to find help. It offers plenty of information which can bring hope and understanding for people who must deal with BPD.

Very concise...wonderful!
I have read other books on Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), but I think that this is the best one yet!

Some mainstream books on this disorder are too technical to be understood by the lay person. Even though I am a mental health professional, the book was really concise and also quite entertaining! This book is also a good reference guide, and provides a wonderful summary for people who are new to learning about this disorder.

So, if you think you have BPD or know someone who has it, I highly recommend this book. Worth every penny! ... Read more

Product Description
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by unstable moods, negative self-image, dangerous impulsivity, and tumultuous relationships. Many people with BPD excel in academics and careers while revealing erratic, self-destructive, and sometimes violent behavior only to those with whom they are intimate. Others have trouble simply holding down a job or staying in school.

Overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder is a compassionate and informative guide to understanding this profoundly unsettling--and widely misunderstood--mental illness, believed to affect approximately 6% of the general population. Rather than viewing people with BPD as manipulative opponents in a bitter struggle, or pitying them as emotional invalids, Valerie Porr cites cutting-edge science to show that BPD is a true neurobiological disorder and not, as many come to believe, a character flaw or the result of bad parenting. Porr then clearly and accessibly explains what BPD is, which therapies have proven effective, and how to rise above the weighty stigma associated with the disorder. Offering families and loved ones supportive guidance that both acknowledges the difficulties they face and shows how they can be overcome, Porr teaches empirically-supported and effective coping behaviors and interpersonal skills, such as new ways of talking about emotions, how to be aware of nonverbal communication, and validating difficult experiences. These skills are derived from Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Mentalization-based Therapy, two evidence-based treatments that have proven highly successful in reducing family conflict while increasing trust. Overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder is an empowering and hopeful resource for those who wish to gain better understanding of the BPD experience--and to make use of these insights in day-to-day family interactions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

ABSOUTELY THE BEST BOOK ON BPD
Most of the books I have read on BPD gave the reader little hope of recovering from this disorder.Other books I have read made the persons suffering from BPD sound like monsters, and placed blame on others for causing the disorder. Ms porr does not judge, blame or shame in her explainaton of BPD. This book is written with compassion for persons suffering from BPD, and those who love them. Hope,love, and healing are the main theme of this entire book.If you or someone you love suffers from BPD, then this is the first book you need to read. This book defines BPD and tells you how to recover from it....Thank God for Vallerie Porr, her compassion for the suffering associated with BPD and this book!! Throw those other so called self help books in the trash and read this one.

One of Best Books I Have Read On the Topic
I have been on a 6 year journey trying to understand and deal with these strange and mystifying behaviors in a family member, ultimately diagnosed as borderline personality disorder (BPD).This book is one of the best that I have ever read on the topic and it gave me new insights and understanding on the neurobiological system and symptoms.Time and time, Porr provides wonderful examples to help explain complex concepts.For example, Porr uses a wonderful analogy of nine colored balls that a juggler would toss into the air to describe each symptom:
#1 blue: impulse control dysregulation
#2 red: mood or affective dysregulation
#3 purple: sensitivity dysregulation
#4 green: cognitive dysregulation
#5 yellow: emotional processing dysregulation
#6 orange: sleep dysregulation
#7 black: pain dysregulation
#8 white: memory dysregulation
#9 pink: anxiety

Reading this book gave me "new eyes" and insights regarding the disorder.It helped me to feel more compassionate towards my family member and learn new ways to communicate and interact.At the same time, Porr emphasized that the person with BPD too needs to do the work to learn coping skills and minimize stressors.

After reading segments of this book, my husband who had thought the family member was misbehaving on purpose, changed his mind after reading Porr's description of the neurobiological underpinnings of the disorder (pp. 40-75)and he also became much more compassionate and understanding.That was a major breathrough!

Porr discusses various treatment methods including dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and mentalization.I greatly appreciate her perspective and empathy for the families who are going through this with their loved ones. She really "gets it" because she herself has a loved one with BPD.

compassionate
I am liking this book, it really helps to understand the pain that the person with BPD is going through. It helps you learn how to be compassionate when dealing with your loved one.

Real Help for Families
This book is the antidote for all of the misinformation, bad advice and tough love literature you'll find on Amazon, the web and in the offices of mental health professionals. Valerie Porr writes in a clear, concise manner and never talks down to the reader. By describing what is happening in the brains of people with BPD, Porr helps the reader to understand that the illness has a biological basis. Ms. Porr then shows how this neurological disorder causes the person with BPD to suffer and explains why they act in ways that SEEM to be manipulative and despicable, but are actually reactions to their own personal suffering.

Finally, and most importantly, Ms. Porr offers the reader a plan to help the person they love to change. This is a book about being compassionate and effective. If you follow its prescriptions, it will not only help you change the life of someone you know who is suffering from a terrible illness, it will change your life too.

Buying us all another chance
If you're looking for a first book on Borderline Personality Disorder, choose this one: it is grounded in the latest biological research, decades of on-the-ground experience, and a detailed prescription for action. Both great context and great application. If you've read any other books on BPD, then you're obliged to read this one, and quickly: it provides real science and context and -- most importantly -- offers an action plan that works with, rather than against, the illness. Most of my research has led me to angst and despair; Valerie Porr's book has given me new hope by enabling me to understand, encouraging me to accept, and equipping me to act. ... Read more

Product Description
University of Washington, Seattle. Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Disorders Series. Manual for psychotherapists on skill-building techniques in treating borderline personality disorder. Includes client handouts that may be photocopied. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (69)

DBT Skills
This book is very helpful but requires some level of DBT knowledge to really be helpful.

For experts and people in the field.
Really a great book, but it is written for professionals.Over the head of most borderlines and others who will probably benefit greatly by being treated by those who have read this book.Not for beginners or those who are afflicted.

A Must for Professionals & Lay Persons Alike
As a consumer of healthcare services, this publication was enormously helpful not only in answering questions about the origins of Borderline Personality Disorder but also about the best and only way to effectively treat this disorder. From the homework assignments, to the handouts, and especially to the Distress Tolerance Techniques, this book delivers. I highly recommend it to anyone who desires practical ways of coping and of relating to professionals trying to help the patient cope.

Training Needed
The skills manual is great, provided you receive appropriate training in DBT. DBT is an intensive treatment model. Without proper training, the manual is useless. Buyers should order with accompanying text: Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder (Linehan)

excellent workbook, especially for those working in psychiatric out patient units running groups and individual sessions
I really like the introduction part which talks about borderline and covers specifics/challenges in working with such population. A must-have book for a clinical SW, excellent exercises to work with. ... Read more

Product Description
The book is organized as a series of answers to questions common to BPD sufferers: What is BPD? How long does it last? What other problems co-occur with BPD? Overviews what we currently know about BPD make up the first section of the book. Later chapters cover several common treatment approaches to BPD: dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mentalization-based therapy (MBT), and medical treatment using psychoactive drugs. In the last sections of the book, readers learn a range of day-to-day coping skills that can help moderate the symptoms of BPD. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

helpful book
This was truly a survival guide for our family. Very informative and easy to read. The book arrived very quickly and in perfect condition.

very basic
I didn't find any information in this book that was more in-depth than what can be found online at various sites like [...].All the information seemed "edited" to be politically correct, especially the medication, treatment options, and coping sections.The writing style is a little formal and, to an annoying degree, will ask a question and in the next sentence(s) answer that question, such as "So, what have we learned thus far?"... I would recommend spending your money instead on "Sometimes I Act Crazy: Living with BPD". (Don't let the title scare you away!)

Clear and Easy
This is an easy read, where the technical jargon is minimal and clearly explained. It gives a good explanation as to what BPD is, what is likely to happen for people with BPD and those who are in contact with them. It clearly explains the combination of factors necessary for someone to get BPD and clears up many myths about the disorder.
It explains the major treatments (therapy and medication) that have been succesful with BPD.
This book is for anyone diagnosed with BPD, or those in contact with them and I would thoroughly recommend it for either.

Good book. More technical than some.
This book is better than some others I've seen. It offers helpful advice and explanations. It's sometimes more technical like a textbook than another great book for BPD called "Lost in the Mirror, 2nd ed.". This book is written ABOUT BPD whereas The Mirror book is written is TO the BPD patient.

Excellent Source of Information
Amazing! This book is full of great information on the disorder, diagnosis, treatment, and examples of people struggling with BPD. This is a tricky disorder to find accurate information on, this book is a must have for anyone who is interested in, dealing with, or knows someone who has BPD. I especially appreciate how the author does not push drug treatments and warns about starting a drug treatment as well. Thorough research is presented relating to drug testing trials and effects that prescriptions have one people with BPD. Easy read, very informative. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (6)

Excellent Treatment Advice for Borderline Adolescents
This is a well-written and compassionate book about treating adolescents with borderline personality disorder. Fortunately, I am not the parent of a borderline child, but my mother has BPD and the symptoms are the same; she behaves like some of the teenagers in this book!

Dr. Aquirre describes the characteristics of BPD clearly and concisely and explains the treatment options available. He has tremendous sympathy for parents and family members of these disturbed children and it's worth reading this book for the feeling of emotional validation alone. As the child of a borderline parent, I feel that parents should try their hardest to make sure their teenagers don't carry carry this terrible personality disorder into adulthood.

I Highly Recommend This Book!
I am so grateful for Dr. Aguirre's extensive research that went into this book. There is so little on the subject as relates to adolescents, and this is such an important work. I highly recommend it almost daily in my coaching practice.

Tami Green
[...]

Finally!
This book is right on the money.I was growing so tired of telling psych professionals, "no....my daughter is not bi-polar".Now I know that they are scared of the taboo of BPD.Now I know how my daughters thoughts and emotions work.Now I know that other people have it harder than I do, SO FAR.This book opened my eyes to a lot.I don't know yet if it will help my little girl, but it has already helped me.

A must read for those involved with a BPD child
Finding any valid information on BPD in adolescents is close to impossible.We have a 15-yo daughter in a therapeutic boarding school after trying every outpatient treatment available.While our daughter has not engaged in any serious external behaviors, she has lived the last years in a constant state of dysphoria and wild attention-seeking schemes.She's was diagnosed with bi-polar w/psychosis when she was 12 and has since been diagnosed w/BPD as well.Dr. Aguierre's experience in treating adolescents w/BPD provides not only a valid perspective, it also gives very practical advise.This is a must read book!

Very good CBT approach.
As a child psychologist, I get very tired of the neo-Freudian mumbo-jumbo that is often associated with this diagnosis. Not only is such an approach not not very effective, but you have to buy all sorts of (ahem) crapola to even start in on it.

This book is a real relief. When I got it I assumed it was just more Freudian malarky, but it isn't. Very CBT and DBT oriented, at least in practice, and I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Product Description
Explores the frightening world of BPD patients and helps readers understand their pain. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (55)

I am understood
I finally feel understood. I am getting a copy of this book for all my family members. I now have hope.

The Best book on Borderline Personality Disorder!
This book reads like a thriller novel with alternating chapters of a case of a person with Borderline Personality Disorder and very compassionate chapters of science writing.It makes BPDO both accessable and understandable.Would recommend for those diagnosed with BPDO and their loved ones as well as professionals trying to understand BPDO. Imber Coppinger, DO

Incredible and sensitive INSIDE perspective on BPD
I have a graduate education in psychology and biochemistry.I also have a deep interest in comparitive religion and "meaning making."In other words, I follow a multi-dimensional approach to understanding any phenomenon and I think this is necessary to capture the full depth of reality.This sets the context for my review.

I was very impressed by Lost in the Mirror and I couldn't put it down.It is a well-organized, thorough, balanced and sensitive approach to BPD as it is experienced from the inside.I think this inside perspective is particularly valuable to BPD sufferers and those that are close to them.It can help engender understanding, compassion and support as it helps loved ones make sense of the contradictory behavior, stormy emotions and other symptoms that accompany this disorder.

In some of the reviews below, Dr. Moskovitz is criticized for being overly empathetic for the BPD victim rather than the people on the receiving end of rage or acting out.I have been on the receiving end myself and I must say that I don't agree with this characterization.However, I have personally struggled with my own anger, confusion and feelings of disorientation.

The way I have made sense out of the above situation in my best moments is by trying to understand the inside perspective as it is presented in this book.I recognize at a deep level that both the BPD person is hurting and that others in their life are also hurting.I didn't get from reading Dr. Moskovitz that the person with this disorder is not responsible or completely off the hook, nor did I get a sense that he is bashing them for their behavior.It seemed like a balanced perspective to me.

There are two books that I think are "must haves" on BPD.One of them is this volume and the other is Sometimes I Act Crazy: Living with Borderline Personality Disorder.There are also many other great books on this topic, but these two together seem to give the most concise, thorough and deep treatment.

I particularly liked the way this book developed the topic and used just enough case history type content to bring the concepts alive.I also appreciated the powerful metaphors and great examples.Without sacrificing content, the author made a lot of difficult to understand material accessible to anyone.This is no easy feat with a disorder like BPD.

While I do admire this book very much, I also think it is important to have another perspective.I have found that with a topic like BPD, there are likely to be blindspots in any account.Therefore, I feel it's crucial to look at this terrain from as many perspectives as possible.Even with my psychological background, I must admit it was and is very difficult to get my arms fully around this complex disorder that causes so much suffering.

I wrote this review late at night partly because I feel this could be such a helpful book to so many people.I wanted to share with everyone who is seeking answers that this a unique and important contribution on this topic.I hope you find it as helpful as I did.

Lost ,Then Found
The beautiful writing style makes Lost in the Mirror rewarding reading. Learning of the probability of the woman I love being borderline BPD, I undertook learning as much as I could about the disorder.
LITM is the fifth book I've read in a series of excellent writings on the subject. It distinguishes itself through the genius of Dr. Moskovitz's presentation. I recommend it very highly. It is so well done I decided my dear lady friend would find it interesting with little chance of causing a disruption in our relationship.
It is working! She hasn't finished the book yet, but it surely has helped us discuss our "difficulties". As I expected, she believes I am the subject the doctor is referring to, but at least it has her seeing some "things" that have her realizing some of the symtoms describe her "inner" feelings.
I learned of her condition when I started therapy...and she will begin hers next week, with much thanks to this easy-to-understand, informative little book.

Lost in the Mirror
This book takes a psychological and behavioral approach to understanding borderline personality disorder. Even if you have read "I Hate You, Don't Leave Me", you'll need to read this book to understand what the best treatment modalities available today. Of course, it was out of date the minute it was put on paper, as all books are, but it is the best that I have found to understand the causes and underlying compulsions that frustrate those who suffer from BPD. ... Read more

Product Description
Do you feel manipulated, controlled, or lied to? Are you the focus of intense, violent, and irrational rages? Do you feel you are 'walking on eggshells' to avoid the next confrontation?

If the answer is 'yes,' someone you care about may have borderline personality disorder (BPD). Stop Walking on Eggshells has already helped nearly half a million people with friends and family members suffering from BPD understand this destructive disorder, set boundaries, and help their loved ones stop relying on dangerous BPD behaviors. This fully revised edition has been updated with the very latest BPD research and includes coping and communication skills you can use to stabilize your relationship with the BPD sufferer in your life.

This compassionate guide will enable you to:
• Make sense out of the chaos
• Stand up for yourself and assert your needs
• Defuse arguments and conflicts
• Protect yourself and others from violent behavior

Customer Reviews (207)

Changed my life!!!
This book changed my life!!! It opened my eyes to BPD and what I had been living with for almost 5 years with my wife. I always knew something was wrong, but never knew what. It didn't save my marriage, but nothing could have done that. It allowed me to get free with a clear conscience and know that I wasn't at fault, that it wasn't me that was broken and that had destroyed the marriage.

i liked the book because it was insightful.
I have a much better understanding of BPD as well as the loved-one who has it.It helps you empathize because of the additional knowledge gained and be able to better understand where the BPD person is coming from.

Awesome!
This book was amazing.It was exactly what I needed to hear about how to communicate with someone with BPD.

Stop Walking on Eggshells

This is an incredibly well written book in easy to understand language. Everything in it is useful from understanding yourself to understanding the person that is inflicted with a behavioral disorder and causing the emotional abuse. If nothing else, this book will provide anyone that is a victim of emotional abuse some sence of direction and self worth, but it does provide so much more.Stop Walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder

Helps me understand
I married a BPD person and had two children, divorced after 24 yrs of marriage.After reading this book, it has opened my eyes to the person I was married to, his mother, and now my daughter.How people can operate without a conscience has been beyond my comprehension.Then to justify their behavior, they twist the truth and blame others.To readStop Walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder that this behavior is really a mental illness, even in high functioning persons, helps me understand what I must do to have a (hopefully) decent relationship with my daughter and keep my sanity.I recommend this book highly to anyone who is living with or has lived with someone who shows signs of borderline personality disorder.It is well written and advises non-BPD's how to take care of themselves. ... Read more

Product Description

Borderline Personality Disorder. "What the hell was that?" raged Rachel Reiland when she read the diagnosis written in her medical chart. As the 29-year old accountant, wife, and mother of young children would soon discover, it was the diagnosis that finally explained her explosive anger, manipulative behaviors, and self-destructive episodes- including bouts of anorexia, substance abuse, and sexual promiscuity. With astonishing honesty, Reiland's memoir reveals what mental illness feels like and looks like from the inside, and how healing from such a devastating disease is possible through intensive therapy and the support of loved ones.

Customer Reviews (79)

Inspiring
An excellent read - hard to put down. Inspirational because of the efforts of the author to cope with her illness.

Great book, too bad it was defective!
I was really enjoying this book. I had purchased it with several other books to save on shipping costs. By the time I started reading it however, I was already past the return option date. I got to the middle of the book and discovered that an entire section of the book was REPEATED, (about 60 pages) and then after those erroneous pages it picked up as though the previous section was correct. After I got over being extremely angry, I tried to get help from Amazon with it, but it was too late. So...........
I encourage all amazon customers to check their books upon receiving them to ensure that they are constructed appropriately. Otherwise, you might be stuck with a useless book, and an unfinished story, just like I am.

great insight
very relatable for those who are or have a family or friend with borderline or even borderline tendencies. provides hope.

This is a must read for those who have, are living with, or know of someone with BPD
This book is great from the beginning to the end. As I read through the book I had various emotions from sadness & tears to laughter & joy. Anyone who is living with BPD or has a family member dealing with this disorder will find this book very insightful. It is not a self-help, medical read but of one's personal struggle with BPD. I speak from someone who is dealing with it personally and could relate to many of the issues that the author dealt with. My heart goes out to everyone who is living with this disorder as it can be very difficult and overwhelming at times.

Living with BPD - this book has shed new light
Diagnosed several years ago with Bipolar/PTSD, I was given the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder about a year and half ago.Wanting to know anything and everything about this unknown to me illness, I bought Reiland's book.I angrily put it away as I could not and would not believe that I could have BPD and remained in denial for some time.Having been in weekly therapy for a year and half, I am thankfully making progress towards a healthier ME.I opened this book again about a month ago, and could not believe how much of what Reiland wrote resonated with me.I felt like I was learning so much about who I am now and how so much of my younger years contributed to my actions and reactions today.Every page was another light bulb going off in my mind....lighting the darkness of the past and explaining it in a way that makes SO MUCH SENSE.

Reiland had a truly amazing experience with Dr Padgett as her psychiatrist who helped guide her towards a healthy sense of herself and love for herself that she never had.

I am blessed to have found a well trained, caring and patient therapist whom I have given my trust to and who is continually helping me learn how to understand and nagivate my way towards recovery. It can be an extremely painful journey.Reiland's therapy was a very intensive Freudian based treatment.My therapy is more working with Dialectical Behavior (DBT) which has been very positive for me.But, after reading Reiland's book I realize that accepting and understanding the past is critical for of successfully treating BPD.

Anyone who has been diagnosed wih BPD or who loves someone with BPD should definitely read this book. It's heartwarming, encouraging, enlightening and honestly, reflects so very well how difficult mental illness can be to live with, but also how much proper therapy can make a huge positive change in someone's life.

Thank you thank you Ms. Reiland for sharing your story. ... Read more

Product Description
Understanding and Treating Borderline Personality Disorder: A Guide for Professionals and Families offers both a valuable update for mental health professionals and much-needed information and encouragement for BPD patients and their families and friends. The editors of this eminently practical and accessible text have brought together the wide-ranging and updated perspectives of 15 recognized experts who discuss topics such as

• A new understanding of BPD, suggesting that individuals may be genetically prone to developing BPD and that certain stressful events may trigger its onset
• New evidence for the success of various forms of psychotherapy, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), in reducing self-injury, drug dependence, and days in the hospital for some groups of people with BPD
• Pharmacology research showing that the use of specific medications can relieve the cognitive, affective, and impulsive symptoms experienced by individuals with BPD, as part of a comprehensive psychosocial treatment plan
• New resources for families to help them deal with the dysregulated emotions of their loved ones with BPD and to build effective support systems for themselves

Yet much remains to be done. Research on BPD is 20 to 30 years behind that on other major psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Despite evidence to the contrary, much of the professional literature on BPD continues to focus on childhood trauma, abuse, and neglect as triggers for BPD—to the detriment of both patient and family.

Families of people with BPD must deal with an array of burdens in coping with the illness, often without basic information. The chapters on families and BPD give voice to the experience of BPD from the perspective of individuals and family members, and offer the hope that family involvement in treatment will be beneficial to everyone.

Above all, this book is about the partnership between mental health professionals and families affected by BPD, and about how such a partnership can advance our understanding and treatment of this disorder and provide hope for the future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Highly Recommended for Clinicians
This book contains practical guidelines for treating Borderline Personality Disorder. Dr. Gunderson is one of the handful of top experts in the country who truly understand how to treat BPD.

I highly recommend this book to clinicians seeking broader, accurate understanding of this highly treatable disorder.

Thank you!

Tami Green
www.borderlinepersonalitysupport.com

Review of"Understanding and Treating Borderline Personality Disorder
A very good technical resource for those dealing with a family member who has BPD.

Brillant
Ce collectif est utile et réconfortant à la fois. Avec beaucoup de simplicité, d'empathie et d'humanité, les auteurs laissent la parole aux spécialistes et aux patients confrontés au trouble borderline. Clair, professionnel, argumenté, en un mot brillant, " Understanding and treating Borderline Personality Disorder " fait toute la lumière sur une maladie encore méconnue en France.
A lire absolument.

Useful
Useful book for families trying to figure out what is going on with their child.

The best general introduction to BPD
There is a terrible glut of misinformation on BPD.Many books on the subject are seriously flawed, and the Internet is worse than useless.Searches for BPD are more likely to reveal "hate sites" put together by estranged ex's than anything with a scholarly or clinical basis.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone affected by this terrible disorder.It is balanced, readable, and based on the best available research.Gunderson and his co-authors discuss the nature of BPD and treatment options without demonizing either those who suffer from BPD or those who care for them. ... Read more

Product Description
University of Washington. Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Disorders Series. Text for clinical psychologists or psychiatrists giving an overview of borderline personality disorder and presenting the author's preferred form of treatment, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Great!
Excellent condition as the book was described. Book arrived earlier than promised.
YaY! on all accounts

Book
The actually product/book was in great condition.I was very disappointed in the fact that I paid more to have the book shipped quickly and I did not receive the book within that time.

One of the most influential books for me
I read my supervisor's copy while working nights at a crisis center. I was new the to field then. Using what I learned from this book, I learned to like working with persons who had Borderline Personality Disorder. I was surprised to hear another supervisor say, "Borderline is a diagnosis for people we don't like." I bought my copy more than ten years ago and I still refer to it from time to time.

Great
This book realy helps incrase one's empathy to those with BPD.It is a defining text.On the other hand, gosh, it could do with some editing.I am surprised that another, smaller less-repetivie edition has not been released.

One observation.ML recons that people with BPD do not lie.Well, that's ML lying, or making a mistake.

One question.ML calls people "patients", rather than "clients".I wonder if that is her taking her own advice and doing what works rather than doing what is right?

Brilliant
Dr. Marsha Linehan is clearly an expert and presents her treatment for a very complicated and dynamic disorder in this well-written, well-supported book. Organized, clear, and direct, this text provides clinicians with fantastic information and guidance in treating this troubled population. ... Read more

Product Description
Kiera Van Gelder's first suicide attempt at the age of twelve marked the onset of her struggles with drug addiction, depression, post-traumatic stress, self-harm, and chaotic romantic relationships-all of which eventually led to doctors' belated diagnosis of borderline personality disorder twenty years later.

The Buddha and the Borderline is a window into this mysterious and debilitating condition, an unblinking portrayal of one woman's fight against the emotional devastation of borderline personality disorder. This haunting, intimate memoir chronicles both the devastating period that led to Kiera's eventual diagnosis and her inspirational recovery through therapy, Buddhist spirituality, and a few online dates gone wrong. Kiera's story sheds light on the private struggle to transform suffering into compassion for herself and others, and is essential reading for all seeking to understand what it truly means to recover and reclaim the desire to live.

The Buddha and the Borderline is a masterpiece.
--Perry D. Hoffman Ph.D., president of the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder (NEA-BPD)

Destined to become a classic in the growing literature on borderline personality disorder.... Seriously funny, authentic, and sublime in its wisdom.
--Blaise Aguirre, MD, medical director of the Adolescent Dialectical Behavior Therapy Residential Program at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA

A must-read for people with this disorder, their families and loved ones, and mental health professionals.
--Robert O. Friedel, MD, author of Borderline Personality Disorder Demystified ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Exceptional, Revealing, and Humorous
I'm 40 pages from the end and have had trouble putting this book down.The experiences shared in this book would be helpful to many by putting into words the challenges of someone living with Borderline Personality Disorder (not the same as bi-polar, but often confused to be the same) as well as those of loved ones.Recovery is possible, managing the symptoms is possible, regaining some sense of normalcy is possible; skills and understanding are the biggest factors it seems to this end.The humorous and insightful descriptions of the situational and emotional challenges are numerous.There are some life experience descriptions that might make this book inappropriate for the majority of teenagers/young adults.

Insightful read
Very well written. Remarkably honest and insightful. The author shares her personal journey, and it is VERY personal. Regardless of what your background is on mental health, this book will probably expanding your understanding of the human aspects of mental illness.

worth reading
This book presents an interesting view of mental illness and opens the door to more insight

Supurb
Fantastic book, well written, easy and enjoyable to read. I can't say enough about how good the book is and how much it has helped me relate to BPD and how it affects my life. I would recommend it to anyone who might have or may be in relationship with someone who has BPD.

Rare account
many terms regarding BPD( Identity diffusion,chaos,promiscuity ,self destructive urges fusion,fear of engulfment and others) come to life here because of the author's rare ability to look inside and the courage to tell the rest of us.It is a rare account the will enlighten even seasoned psychiatrists.I tip my hat off to you,Kiera for your insight, courage and generosity! ... Read more

Product Description
A complete patient guide for borderline personality disorder. Few psychological problems carry the negative connotation accompanying borderline personality disorder (BPD). The most common element of BPD is an exquisite sensitivity to life events that may manifest in periodic loss of control. This loss of control may lead to actions that can be damaging to oneself and others. The authors have written this volume to help people with BPD take control of this disorder. Filled with practical strategies and the research and theory behind them, this book provides patients with the necessary tools for working with this innovative program. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

great resource
This workbook is a great resource because it requires the borderline reader to internally work through the various issues associated with borderline personality disorder.The workbook addresses all of the main borderline characteristics used to define a borderline patient.However, if you have already spent a lot of time in therapy, as I have, it will not tell you anything you haven't already learned.At the same time, if your insurance won't cover the visits to therapists, etc., this is an EXCELLENT resource because it addresses all the things we addressed in group therapy.

no self-help book
However much this book might appeal to you, the schedules in the book are not to be done on one's own, which i found quite frustrating. the book reminds me of 'how to reinvent your life' byYoung. Anyway if you want a self-help book, for as much as bpd can be self-managed, i suggest "the angry heart".

Totally disappointing.
The authors divide this workbook into chapters relating to each specific DSM diagnostic criterion for BPD. This is commendable and initially appealing and inviting. However,upon further examination,there is no substance to the preparatory reading material in any of the chapters. There is nothing unique in this workbook relating to specific issues of BPD. The very few cognitive distortions that are explained and dealt with are nothing that can't already be found in any of the available workbooks that deal with general issues of depression and anxiety. Moreover, my biggest contention with this volume is that the worksheets in each chapter are EXACTLY identical! There is absolutely no spontenaity or creativity on the part of the authors. Borderlines,who are especially prone to becoming bored easily, would find this workbook uninteresting,cumbersome,and tedious to work with. ... Read more

Product Description
A source of hope, expert advice, and guidance for people with borderline personality disorder and those who love them

Do you experience frightening, often violent mood swings that make you fear for your sanity? Are you often depressed? Do you engage in self-destructive behaviors such as drug or alcohol abuse, anorexia, compulsive eating, self-cutting, and hair pulling? Do you feel empty inside, or as if you don't know who you are? Do you dread being alone and fear abandonment? Do you have trouble finishing projects, keeping a job, or forming lasting relationships?

If you or someone you love answered yes to the majority of these questions, there's a good chance that you or that person suffers from borderline personality disorder, a commonly misunderstood and misdiagnosed psychological problem afflicting tens of millions of people. Princess Diana was one of the most well-known BPD sufferers.

As a source of hope and practical advice for BPD sufferers and those who love them, this new book by Dr. Jerold J. Kreisman and Hal Straus, bestselling authors of I Hate You, Don't Leave Me, offers proven techniques that help you:
* Manage mood swings
* Develop lasting relationships
* Improve your self-esteem
* Keep negative thoughts at bay
* Control destructive impulses
* Understand your treatment options
* Find professional help ... Read more

Customer Reviews (30)

Sometimes I Act Crazy by Jerold Kreisman
I picked up the book and began reading with anticipation of finding something to help me understand my 41 yearl old son's irrational and destructive behavior.I began reading and settled in to learn, only to discover that this doctor? used this opportunity to write ultra disgusting poronography.Some of the explicit details of some of his so-called patient encounters were not at all necessary, however, it was apparent that the doctor? thoroughly enjoyed writing down these filthy details because it gave him pleasure.I don't recomend this book at all, and I feel he did a huge disservice to those of us who might have benefitted from some of his information, but then how am I to know, since I trashed the book after the first such disappointment with his poronographic details.

Caution

Beware: A full HALF of this book is written like a novel... and a cheesy, awful one at that.

Borderline Personality Disorder Demystified (Friedman et al) was far more informative and respectful. And Borderline Personality Disorder for Dummies, despite its unfortunate title, was also excellent; very complete and easy to read.

Great tool for understanding BPD
This book,Sometimes I Act Crazy: Living with Borderline Personality Disorder is very informative and easy to understand, yet thorough. When people 1st read the title they might think it sounds offensive, but to the person suffering with BPD and their loved ones, it hits home and makes perfect sense. They are very well aware that they "act crazy" at times. They want to know WHY they act crazy and how to deal with it. In my counseling practice, I have given this book to BPD clients to read when they are diagnosed and it has been very helpful for them and their families.

Sometimes I act crazy
This is a life saver! I really thought I was going crazy and NO ONE understood. Because of this book and insight I have a different approach and so do the people in my life. Highly recommend this book especially for people living with a borderline. It will teach you how to handle situations and hopefully gain a new respect for the borderline his or herself.

This is not the one
This is not a good self-help guide. It makes people with BPD seem like people are incapable of getting better. Skip this one. ... Read more

Product Description
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a psychiatric condition that affects nearly 2% of the general population, predominantly women. Symptoms of BPD include impulsivity, mood swings, unstable intense relationships and feelings of chronic emptiness. Research on BPD has lagged behind that on other mental health conditions, such as depression and psychosis, primarily due to the lack of evidence of effective treatment but also due to the stigma historically associated with the condition. Fortunately this situation is changing, with improved treatments now available and improved clinician/organizational willingness to engage with those with a diagnosis of BPD.

This book provides people with BPD and their families and friends with an authoritative, user-friendly and easily-readable resource that is both informative about the condition and provides practical help in assisting improved outcomes. The authors draw from the latest research and decades of clinical experience to provide a compassionate understanding of BPD and treatments for the condition. Numerous case histories and patient perspectives have been included to help illustrate key points and bring the book alive for the reader. The book is balanced, integrated and respectful of patients, family and friends, and clinicians. In an area often associated with pessimism and negativity, this book provides patients and families with realistic hope. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

I Like Wendy's Notes!
Self Help for Managing the Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder

As one who has successfully recovered from the symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder, I greatly appreciate Wendy's perspective and passing along information on her experience.

Bravo!

Tami Green
[...] ... Read more

Product Description
Covering the range of clinical presentations, treatments, and levels of care, Borderline Personality Disorder: A Clinical Guide, Second Edition, provides a comprehensive guide to the diagnosis and treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD). The second edition includes new research about BPD s relationship to other disorders and up-to-date descriptions of empirically validated treatments, including cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic approaches. Compelling new research also indicates a much better prognosis for BPD than previously known.

A pioneer in the field, author John Gunderson, M.D., director of the Borderline Personality Disorder Center at McLean Hospital, draws from nearly 40 years of his own research and experience. This background is now complemented by the added clinical and research experience of Paul Links, M.D. The guide begins with a clear and specific definition of BPD and provides an in-depth description of multiple modalities of treatment, including pharmacotherapy, family therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Gunderson outlines therapeutic approaches for multiple settings, such as hospitalization, partial hospitalization programs, and outpatient care. Complementing the well-organized treatment guide are a series of informative sidebars, recommending specific do s and don ts for disclosing the diagnosis, discussing medications, meeting with families, and managing suicidality.

A synthesis of theory and practical examples, Borderline Personality Disorder: A Clinical Guide, Second Edition, provides a thorough and practical manual for any clinician working with BPD patients. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

BORDERLINE PERSOLALITY DISORDER
What ever any psychiatrist fantansizes,there is no escape from thesepatients.So,better be prepared.I cannot think of a volume which packs so much useful and practical information,by one of the top experts on the illness.i recommend this book without hestation,to any busy clinician.

Consider the Source
I know that this is an ad hominem blurb . I worked at Maclean Hospital for many years. People's (patients and staff's) response to Gunderson's cruelty is commonplace . He has most recently been portrayed in the book Mount Misery through the character "Heiler." John Gunderson is well known for his arrogance and cruelty by legions of Maclean staff and patients through the years. You have my condolences to anyone for having endured his company. My advise is to not take him personally. He's been like that with most everybody since he started in 1969. Simply ask virtually anyone who has met him (colleague or patient.)

John Gunderson
Having met John Gunderson in person, I would describe his tactics as those of a sadist or misogynist rather than those of a doctor of psychology. The man seems to enjoy nothing more than distressing his patients, almost for sport. I've more seen him smile maniacally over a patient whose confidence he has shaken to the core using a barrage of unsettling and prying tactics designed to accuse, belittle, and shame the patient--often to the point of tears. Once the patient, usually female, is manipulated to the height of a tearful outburst, he then remarks with smug satisfaction that he has evoked a 'typical response of BPD.'

What he has in fact done is verbally abuse a human being, but he seems to have no qualms with that. This man is irresponsible and reprehensible. He has merely repackaged 'hysteria' in his book, whose pages he has written on the pains of hundreds of patients for whom he has probably caused more harm than good. He has no sympathy for the human condition, and he is in my opinion a blight on the profession. This man is no expert. He is a malevolent buffoon.

The gold standard
If you know about Borderline Personality Disorder, you know that Gunderson is the standard-setter. After years of research, Gunderson demonstrates repeatedly that he has a command of the subject matter unsurpassed by other professionals. His conceptual model is also more helpful than others (e.g., DSM-IV-TR).

A "must have" for anyone in this field
I just got this book and have not read it cover to cover - probably never will, but that's not what I got it for.Rather, for me (as a practicing clinician and supervisor) it is the kind of book I will refer to frequently as needed - it contains a goldmine of up to date synthesis, overview, summary, commentary, advice, nifty tables, etc. in just about any area related to treatment of the Borderline Disorder and beautifully organized and accessible.All that and it combines empirical and theoretical issues very smoothly.It could certainly be read profitably front to back by someone wanting a course in the subject. As an added bonus I have already found it very useful in putting together an insurance review! ... Read more

Product Description
A complete therapist guide for borderline personality disorder. Few psychological problems carry the negative connotation accompanying borderline personality disorder (BPD). The most common element of BPD is an exquisite sensitivity to life events that may manifest in periodic loss of control. This loss of control may lead to actions that can be damaging to oneself and others. The authors have this volume to help and the therapists of people with BPD take control of this disorder. Filled with practical strategies and the research and theory behind them, this book provides clinicians with the necessary tools for working with this innovative program. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Knowledge is Power!
My daughter was diagnosed with many different mental disorders before a doctor figured out she had BPD. Then from there was many different and failed medicines that caused more pain than help. Finally when I saw this on Amazon I saw a ray of hope. This workbook is pivotal in changing my daughter's chances of living as normal as one can with BPD. It helps you see why you do what you do, why you want to do what you do and how you can overcome those defining moments. Counseling is expensive and we can't always afford it, but this workbook has opened doors for my daughter and brought a welcomed knowledge. An important tool, along with meds, some counseling and prayer she WILL overcome. Thank you! ... Read more