A Comprehensive Guide to Borderline Personality Disorder

Published on 3/18/2022

When I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder about three years ago, I knew little about it. I fell into the mistake that many others make and decided to Google this mysterious ailment that had been ruining my life, despite my therapist’s recommendation that I don’t.

I quickly realised that this had been good advice, as most of the content surrounding BPD was rather unpleasant. People were not fond of BPD nor those with it, and they said this in very colourful language. With one little search, I was told that I was supposedly manipulative, attention-seeking, ruining other people’s lives and beyond help.

I was lucky enough to discover Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, a show by Rachel Bloom that focused on the protagonist's struggle with BPD. This show made me feel less alone and understood. It made me feel like I actually had a chance at happiness.

But I knew that having one show get it right wasn’t enough. I’m a writer, and so it was up to me to contribute to the positive discussion surrounding BPD and its symptoms. I wanted other people to feel heard the way Rachel had me. I wanted people to understand what was going on with them. I also wanted to help their loved ones gain an insight into their struggle, so they knew how to support them and understand why they behave the way they do.

In the two years since I started writing online, I’ve written a large number of articles on the subject. So I figured it would be helpful to have them all rounded up in one place. This would provide a clear guide for anyone looking to learn more about Borderline Personality Disorder.

What is BPD?

A basic introduction to Borderline Personality Disorder, including symptoms and recognising it. This article briefly touches upon the stigma and disorders that occur alongside BPD. It’s a factual look at the disorder more than a personal account.

From the top of the world to the floor in 1 hour

One of the key symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder is rapid mood fluctuations. This is also what gets it confused for Bipolar Disorder. This article focuses on what causes these rapid mood swings, how it feels, and what you can do to ease them.

How do I fill this emptiness inside of me?

Another symptom of BPD is chronic feelings of emptiness. It feels like this gaping hole, and many will try to fill it with sex, food, shopping or other behaviours. In this article, I discuss what causes the feeling, how people often respond to it, and what we should do instead.

5 things I want you to understand about my BPD

There’s a lot that people don’t know about BPD, but if I had to choose just five things for people to get, this would be my list. I know people can’t understand what it’s like for me, but I wish they’d understand my intentions better.

Why is BPD diagnosed so late?

A lot of people with BPD experience symptoms as early as adolescence, and yet diagnosis usually happens in your twenties or even later. I examine why this is, as well as the common misdiagnosis of BPD. I spent years thinking I was depressed with an eating disorder, and that the other stuff was just my personality, I never imagined that it was all linked.

Do people with BPD feel empathy?

A common misconception with BPD individuals is that they don’t feel empathy. A lot of BPD symptoms can result in people inadvertently hurting those around them. Whilst this doesn’t excuse their actions, it doesn’t stem from a lack of empathy, as people with BPD may even feel more empathy due to heightened sensitivity.

Can BPD be cured?

This article focuses on how Borderline Personality Disorder is treated, namely the therapeutic options available. It also discusses whether BPD can be cured, and how it is managed.

How my personality disorder affects my daily life

Examining how BPD impacts each area of my life, including friendships, work, relationships and more. This goes further than a list of symptoms, to show how those symptoms appears within daily life.

How I manage my BPD

Manging BPD is about daily habits and choices. Nothing can replace therapy, but these are steps to go alongside that and keep up the work you do with your therapist. From sleep to substances, routines and social situations, I go through the daily choices I make for my Borderline Personality Disorder.

Why do we need BPD awareness month?

Every May is BPD Awareness Month, and in this article, I discuss why this is so important. It includes the main misconceptions regarding Borderline Personality Disorder and why we need more visibility.

I’ll keep this page updated with new articles about Borderline Personality Disorder. I hope that it can provide some insight and comfort. If you know anyone struggling with BPD, please do send it to them. It’s easy to feel alone in this struggle, but you’re not the only one feeling this way, and you’re not crazy.

Is there something else you’d like to know about BPD? Let me know!

Fleur

Fleur

Welcome to Symptoms of Living! A place where I like to relieve myself of the barrage of thoughts and ideas filling my mind. Here I'll take a look at various topics, from books to BPD, series to self-harm, there's nothing that we can't, and shouldn't, talk about.

Having struggled with mental illness since the age of 15, one of the hardest parts was how alone I felt in it. While mental illness is beginning to be discussed more openly, and featured in the media, I still think there is room for improvement. So whether it is mental illness or merely mental health, a bad day or a bad year, let's make this a place to approach it and strip it back. Everyone has their own symptoms of living, and you certainly won't be the only one with it.

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