Borderline Personality Disorder: New Reasons for Hope

by Francis Mark Mondimore MD, Patrick Kelly

Borderline personality disorder is a severe and complex psychiatric condition that, until recently, many considered nearly untreatable. But this optimistic guide to BPD provides information that will bring newfound hope to those who have this painful disorder, and to their family and friends. People with borderline personality disorder have problems coping with almost everything, and therefore anything can provoke them to impulsive actions, angry outbursts, and self-destructive behaviors. Their personal relationships are simultaneously overly dependent and strained, if not openly hostile, and frequently explosive. Incorporating the latest research and thinking on the disorder, Johns Hopkins psychiatrists Francis Mark Mondimore and Patrick Kelly conceptualize it in an original way. They explain that symptoms are the result of biological and behavioral problems, extremes of temperament, and impaired psychological coping, all of which may have a relationship with traumatic life events. The authors advocate a therapeutic approach incorporating compassion and optimism in the face of what is often a tumultuous disease. With proper treatment, people with borderline personality disorder can enjoy long remissions and improved quality of life.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Self Help, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Addiction, Neuroscience

312 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2011

Reviews

[Lilly Ann Wolvesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this book, along with another about BPD to try and gain some insight as to why a psychiatrist of a local hospital and his staff were bent on convincing me that I had BPD. The book offers personal accounts in addition to the diagnostic criteria. In reading the book, I found that more and more of the stories sounded like my mother. When she was in a better place, I gave the books to her. She has since been able to be treated more appropriately for her condition(s). I really recommend this book especially because it is published by John’s Hopkins University Press.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long clinical psychology book. But, it was worth the read. It definitely helps people with BPD understand the disease better. Borderline Personality Disorder is strikingly similar to Bipolar Disorder and it's extremely difficult and often misdiagnosed for Bipolar Disorder. As a person who has been diagnosed with both BPD and Bipolar, while they share a lot of the same attributes they are also very different and acutely strenuous, irritating, exhausting, and confusing to deal with on a day to day basis. It also takes its toll on relationships of all kinds and life in general. So, having some insight as to the mechanism of the chemicals of the brain does help (to an extent). The brain is a weird and oddly mysterious organ.

I recommend this to anyone interested in this disorder—the differences between BPD and Bipolar. Or anyone interested in psychology in general.

[Anna Lingelser · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good and clear technical guide as to what BPD is, what causes it, as well as a solid exploration of treatment options and symptom management.

This book is clinical in its approach and focus. It explores Freudian, attachment, and object-relations theories as potential contributors to BPD and its common co-morbidities (depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, eating disorders, self-mutilation, alcoholism and other addictions).

This is primarily a guide for people that have been diagnosed with BPD, their therapists, their partners and their immediate caregivers. It is not a particularly suitable guide for people that deal with the behaviour of BPD sufferers outside of these roles.

[Fred Kohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much more technical than I Hate You, Don't Leave Me: Understanding the Borderline Personality. I think one could get by with reading either one or the other, depending on how one handles in depth material. Although this book has far more information than the Kreisman book, I don't regret having read them both.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more scientific than Stop Walking on Eggshells and is better suited for a therapist or doctor than a family member. The fact-based approach is handy, but I wanted more hands-on information and stopped reading about a quarter of the way through.

[hhhhhhhhh]

The sections titled "Managing an Employee Who Has BPD" and "Working with Someone Who Has BPD" are absolutely spot on and were very helpful. They are free to view on Google Books.

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot more clinical than I was hoping for, rather than information on dealing with interpersonal relationships with people with BPD.