In exploring the various websites on BPD, I found a wonderful resource booklet at the National Education Alliance for BPD's website. You can view the PDF for free here.
"This 20-page pamphlet offers an introductory overview of borderline personality disorder, explaining the DSM criteria, origins, course, self-harm behavior, and current status of treatment. This edition is a revision of the 2001 version of the A BPD Brief. It is the hope of the author and committees that worked on the revision that the pamphlet will be of service to those seeking basic information and treatment providers who need to explain the diagnosis to clients and families."
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
My First Book Review: The BPD Survival Guide by Chapman, Gratz
As a BPD sufferer, I know it can be daunting to find accurate information on this disorder. The internet and mass media are ripe with misinformation and stigma. Even some very well known books (such as Stop Walking on Eggshells) paint a very negative, and I feel damaging, portrait of what it means to live with Borderline Personality Disorder. I feel it is paramount to anyone's recovery to find accurate and compassionate information on their illness, regardless of diagnosis, be it BPD or breast cancer.
And with such a belief, I began my search for some books that provided just that.
I spent quite a while online looking up various texts and the reader's comments on them, and have selected 3 so far that I felt would be good places to start. I will be reading them all over the course of this month and providing my take and insights into each of them, as well as what I found to be useful, and what I think wasn't so useful.
The first book I read was The Borderline Personality Survival Guide by Chapman & Gratz.
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was just what it says, a guide to BPD. I found it full of accurate, useful information about what the disorder is (and isn't), detailed descriptions of symptoms and short accounts, course of the illness itself, and treatment options and resources. All of this is presented in clear, easy to understand language with compassion and even a little humor. I read this book in two days and have dog-eared, highlighted, and flagged it to death already. I would recommend this to anyone with BPD themselves or a BPD loved one.
However, I would recommend skipping to the second half of the book if you are looking for treatment options, tips and resources, as the first half of the book is dedicated to explaining BPD itself. Some may find this a tad tedious, especially if you're rather well informed about BPD, but for those just starting out and seeking to understand, it is valuable information to have on hand.
My diagnosis: A must have reference for those living with BPD and their loved ones.
And with such a belief, I began my search for some books that provided just that.
I spent quite a while online looking up various texts and the reader's comments on them, and have selected 3 so far that I felt would be good places to start. I will be reading them all over the course of this month and providing my take and insights into each of them, as well as what I found to be useful, and what I think wasn't so useful.
The first book I read was The Borderline Personality Survival Guide by Chapman & Gratz.
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was just what it says, a guide to BPD. I found it full of accurate, useful information about what the disorder is (and isn't), detailed descriptions of symptoms and short accounts, course of the illness itself, and treatment options and resources. All of this is presented in clear, easy to understand language with compassion and even a little humor. I read this book in two days and have dog-eared, highlighted, and flagged it to death already. I would recommend this to anyone with BPD themselves or a BPD loved one.
However, I would recommend skipping to the second half of the book if you are looking for treatment options, tips and resources, as the first half of the book is dedicated to explaining BPD itself. Some may find this a tad tedious, especially if you're rather well informed about BPD, but for those just starting out and seeking to understand, it is valuable information to have on hand.
My diagnosis: A must have reference for those living with BPD and their loved ones.
I've Decided to Keep On
I had started this blog a while back, but I don't think I was really ready to begin with what keeping this blog would mean and entail. I was still having many difficulties and was very lost as to what I was going to do so far as my recovery. It was like starting a journey without a road map. However, I feel that, even though my map is still a little foggy and incomplete, I'm ready to do this.
Many of you out there are likely in the same place, or have been there in the past. It can be a daunting and confusing place to be in. Perhaps you've just been diagnosed and don't know where to begin, or perhaps you're only beginning to sspect something is wrong. Where ever you're at, I invite you to follow my personal journey through recovery as I document the methods I am working with and my progress, as well as practical tips that I have found useful in my struggles.
I remind you, however, that I am not a professional. I am only someone going through some things that you yourself may be going through as well. I can only share what experience has taught me. I strongly urge you to seek treatment if you have, or suspect you have, any kind of mental illness or other emotional issues. There is help and hope out there.
Many of you out there are likely in the same place, or have been there in the past. It can be a daunting and confusing place to be in. Perhaps you've just been diagnosed and don't know where to begin, or perhaps you're only beginning to sspect something is wrong. Where ever you're at, I invite you to follow my personal journey through recovery as I document the methods I am working with and my progress, as well as practical tips that I have found useful in my struggles.
I remind you, however, that I am not a professional. I am only someone going through some things that you yourself may be going through as well. I can only share what experience has taught me. I strongly urge you to seek treatment if you have, or suspect you have, any kind of mental illness or other emotional issues. There is help and hope out there.
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