Books for Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality disorder (DSM V) or otherwise known as Emotionally Unstable Personality disorder (ICD10) is prevalent in around 1-2% of population.
Many features of the condition include impulsivity, outburst of anger, unstable and intense interpersonal relationships, suicidal gestures and mood lability. Although not part of diagnostic criteria, some may present with psychotic complaints.
The condition generally improves over time. Psychological intervention such as Dialectical behavioural therapy is important for recovery. Medications for coexisting conditions such as depression and social support are key components of the therapy.
If you are looking to understand and cope with Borderline Personality Disorder or help a loved one, we carefully selected several helpful books for Borderline Personality Disorder.
Lost in the Mirror: An Inside Look at Borderline Personality Disorder
by Richard Moskovitz, M.D.
Simply Beautiful
This is a well-organized book with simple explanations about the criteria for diagnosis and treatment of Borderline PD. It is equipped with short stories that ease the understanding of this otherwise complicated condition.
It is sometimes hard to put oneself in other people's shoes and the book is good in boosting empathy and sensitivity to oneself and others, as the title may have suggested. If you have BPD, this may however stir up emotions and memories of past traumatic experiences so threading the book carefully is a must.
Alternative book that you are likely to find in the library with case stories is I Hate You--Don't Leave Me: Understanding the Borderline Personality which I find pretty entertaining but outdated.
Managing Borderline Personality disorder does not only involve managing the patient but also the other person on the receiving end of the condition. Many books will tip on one side or the other and this book tips over more for the client side. This is very much expected as the writer is a psychiatrist whose main duty of care is with the client.
This is otherwise an easy to read book and a positive mental health resource for those who are suffering with BPD.
Click Lost in the Mirror: An Inside Look at Borderline Personality Disorder to Read More.
The Borderline Personality Disorder Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Living with BPD
by Alex Chapman and et al.
Generally Good First Book
The book is an overview of Borderline Personality Disorder and various medical treatments including the reasoning behind it. Its concise explanation of Dialectical Behavioural Therapy particularly about interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance and mindfulness will be a gem for both the sufferer and their loved ones.
The contents are generally realistic and the authors put BPD in a rather more positive light than others without taking the responsibility away from the person.
It is of basic to intermediate level which is not surprising because it tries to cover general aspects of BPD. Alternatively advanced book is DBT® Skills Training Manual, Second Edition which is written by the founder of DBT herself.
This is otherwise a good first book which many will find encouraging and hopeful.
Click The Borderline Personality Disorder Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Living with BPD to Read More.
The Secret Book
This book will be high in my list of controversial books.
It is good in explaining the basics about Borderline Personality disorder and the struggles that comes with their symptoms.
Many may say it is a wonderful and an eye-opener of a book for Borderline Personality Disorder if you don't suffer from BPD, you have just gone out of a relationship with BPD or if you are living with someone who has BPD. It is practically a self-help book on how to look after yourself if you are in close proximity with someone who has been afflicted with the illness.
The title could have been phrased better because it is likely to unsettle anyone who suffers from BPD especially if they see their love one reading the book as they might see the relationship as "coping" rather than "loving" in nature. "Taking your life back" seemed to imply that someone stole it but I guess it is the selling point of the book.
If you have Borderline PD, don't read this book. For those who purchased this, don't let anyone with BPD see you reading this unless you want fireworks to fly. Whether this is the worst book around or the best depends on which side of the scale you are in.
Click Stop Walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder to Read More.
There is no substitute for professional advice, please consult your doctor.