Borderline Personality Disorder - A BPD Survival Guide: For Understanding, Coping, and Healing (Behavioral Psychology Books For Mental Health)

Borderline Personality Disorder is a chronic mental health disorder that includes such symptoms as self-image problems, mood changes, fear of abandonment, difficulties maintaining healthy relationships, and sadly, high rates of suicidal thought and behavior. The person suffering with BPD may intensely fear being alone, yet push other people away. They can’t regulate their emotions well, leading to bouts of anger, depression, or anxiety. Or they turn to alcohol or drugs or dangerous impulsive behavior.This book is a concise yet comprehensive overview of Borderline Personality disorder: its potential causes, its manifestation, its treatment: Dialectical Behavor therapy Cognitive Behavior Therapy, psychotherapy, Schema Therapy, among other methods. And of course medication: antidepressants, anti-anxiety meds, mood stabilizers, and anti-psychotics, which our medical and psychiatric world seems to jump to without hesitation. As a practicing nutritionist and homeopath, I have to say that while careful drug therapy is of course valuable in many situations, in my view it should be the last resort. Diet, supplementation of nutrients and amino acids, meditation, and exercise are safer approaches.The author covers and debunks the myths surrounding BPD and provides an encouraging and supportive voice to the people struggling with it, or to their families and friends, who may be confused and worried. But there is a good rate of success with treatment, and BPD patients can lead successful and happy lives.The cause of BPD is unknown at this point, and research shows both genetic and environmental factors (abuse, neglect, and separation as young children, for example) are involved. But my years of practicing and studying, as a nutritionist and homeopath, lead me to conclude that imbalance of neurotransmitters is a huge contributing factor. Research is beginning to confirm this. Neuroscience shows that dopamine, serotonin, Gaba and other neurotransmitters are involved in the brain mechanisms that underlie BPD’s symptoms. Serotonin, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine are also among the chemical messengers involved in the regulation of emotions. Some studies show that drugs that enhance brain serotonin function may improve emotional symptoms in BPD.These neurotransmitters can be influenced by diet, meditation, therapy, by exercise, and by adequate rest. And by taking supplements of the amino acids that are out of whack. I suggest anyone with BPD read the work of Dr. Eric Braverman, who works with amino acids to change neurotransmitter action in the brain. He created an easy test, a five-minute survey of questions online, that will tell the person which neurotransmitters are dominant, and which are low in the brain mechanism. Then diet and supplementation can help to move this in the right direction. If interested, check out Braverman test dot net.This book is a good introduction, well-written, well-researched, and referenced. It provides support and encouragement, which is vital. And it is certainly what is needed in the mental health community, to combat the shame felt by those struggling with mental disorders. It’s a good read and a good place to start!

I was drawn to Borderline Personality Disorder because I lived with a partner who had BPD. I wish I knew more about this disorder back in the 1980's and 1990's. This book helped me to understand the different ways to cope with someone who was struggling most of his life and just couldn't or wouldn't seek help. I Thank the author for opening my eyes with easy to understand clear techniques and treatment options for BPD.

I got this book so that I could understand a family member better and im so grateful for all the information that this author provides. I can finally handle situations better now understanding what is going on. Im passing this along to them so they can better understand themselves and hopefully be able to live more comfortably. Great read!

So well written with technical, complete and perhaps most importantly compassionate language and commentary regarding this disorder and those affected by it. Very helpful and healing!!! Anna is a baddie and it shows!

This is hands down the BEST book I have EVER read. If you struggle with BPD or have someone around you that does. Or maybe you struggle with BPD and want the people around you to better understand you. BUY IT.

recommend people who want to learn about bpd to read this. it is well structured, empathetic, educational. looking forward to learn more about this and to read more from the author. thank you for this book and for bringing for awareness on personality disorders and mental health.

Provides a significant amount of beneficial information. The chapters are not particularly long and they are easy to follow. Excellent read!

This is a very informative, interesting read. I was a little familiar with BPD before, and I learned more in this book. I liked the debunking of myths about BPD. It is also written from a non-judgmental, open hearted viewpoint which I appreciated, since BPD can be highly stigmatized. I would highly recommend this to anyone with BPD or dealing with a family member or friend with BPD, or really anyone who wants to learn more about mental health. Fun fact: DBT (treatment for BPD) is explained in the first episode of the show She-Hulk where Hulk explains how he learned to control his emotions using this technique.

This book has,added to my knowledge on bpd. As a mental health professional having the knowledge can only help enhance my skills, today more and more people are requiring mental health help bpd makes up a huge percentage of people I see. Compassion kindness empathy and knowledge.