Talking About BPD: A Stigma-Free Guide to Living a Calmer, Happier Life with Borderline Personality Disorder

by Rosie Cappuccino, Kimberley Wilson (Foreword)

'I am Rosie. I have BPD. I am not an attention-seeker, manipulative, dangerous, hopeless, unlovable, 'broken', 'difficult to reach' or 'unwilling to engage'. I am caring, creative, courageous, determined, full of life and love.'Talking About BPD is a positive, stigma-free guide to life with borderline personality disorder (BPD) from award-winning blogger Rosie Cappuccino.Addressing what BPD is, the journey to diagnosis and available treatments, Rosie offers advice on life with BPD and shares practical tips and DBT-based techniques for coping day to day. Topics such as how to talk about BPD to those around you, managing relationships and self-harm are also explored. Throughout, Rosie shares her own experiences and works to dispel stigma and challenge the stereotypes often associated with the disorder.This much-needed, hopeful guide will offer support, understanding, validation and empowerment for all living with BPD, as well as those who support them.

Genres: Mental Health

207 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2021

Reviews

[Beth. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gentle stigma-free guide indeed.

I would highly recommend this book for those with BPD or other mental health disorders, particularly mood disorders, and their friends/families/support network.

Resources that are stigma-free are far and few. It made me happy to see something that focuses on what an individual is suffering and how to support their process with warmth, rather than something demonising and perpetuating a person's shame and/or guilt; whilst still also managing to highlight the importance of accountability for actions with gentleness.

[ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel seen and validated.

[Jane Lebak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very readable, straightforward discussion of living with BPD. It doesn't do a deep dive and isn't overly burdened with scientific jargon. In places, I wished she'd gone deeper (eg, the therapy section, the techniques etc) but overall this book looks like a good resource for someone who's just been diagnosed and would like to know more about it.

Most of the time, BPD seems to be described in terms of how much it annoys other people. This book is much more about the experience of having it and living with it, when the person isn't acting out in the stereotyped/DSM-V/stigmatized ways. In that way, the "non-clinical" nature of the book is helpful.

[wheeliereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a self book about Borderline Personality Disorder or BPD. It’s actually a really positive book which is hopeful and although it deals with the stigma it is a refreshing outlook on BPD. It has some personal experiences and it also contains some useful tips in coping techniques. It would be especially useful to someone who is newly diagnosed or someone who is struggling with their diagnosis.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosie Cappuccino has written an insightful guide to all aspects of what was known as a borderline personality disorder. As someone with lived experience of the condition, she writes with great compassion and empathy. A must read for anyone affected by bpd.

[amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could've read this when I first got diagnosed! Super comforting and simple, exactly what I needed.

[Christine Tays · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the most insightful & beautifully written books I've come across on the topic. Rosie's descriptions of living with BPD are some of the best I've ever read--honest, validating, & deeply relatable. It's rare to find a book that conveys the emotional depth of this experience so clearly, & I truly appreciate how she balances personal reflection with practical understanding.

The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is simply because I wish it were longer. It felt like I was just getting into the heart of it when it ended, & I wasn't ready to stop reading. If it had been a bit more in depth, it would have been absolutely perfect. That said, it's still a must-read for anyone wanting to understand BPD, whether for themselves or a loved one.