Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Affecting an estimated 2% of the general population, Borderline Personality Disorder is quite common. It is, however, not widely-known. While the average person is likely to be familiar with depression, anxiety, alcoholism, or anorexia, they are generally virtually unaware of BPD.
Obscure, ambiguous, and ominous, Borderline Personality Disorder has been marginalized within the discourse of mental health for over a century. Even those suffering from it often find themselves at a loss for words, painting a chaotic and conflicted worldview. Individuals with BPD fluctuate between polarized experiences: Impulsivity and avoidance, over-involvement and fear of intimacy, a strong sense of guilt and blaming others, binge eating and compulsive dieting, apathy and unusual interest in the workplace, as well as caring for others and only caring for themselves. Their dichotomous thinking abhors contradictions. These are often highly capable, talented, and creative individuals, whose ability to function is low or impaired. BPD has intrigued many researchers, theorists, and clinicians; yet to this day, there is no consensus over a single, comprehensive model of this disorder.
Affecting an estimated 2% of the general population, Borderline Personality Disorder is quite common. It is, however, not widely-known. While the average person is likely to be familiar with depression, anxiety, alcoholism, or anorexia, they are generally virtually unaware of BPD.
Obscure, ambiguous, and ominous, Borderline Personality Disorder has been marginalized within the discourse of mental health for over a century. Even those suffering from it often find themselves at a loss for words, painting a chaotic and conflicted worldview. Individuals with BPD fluctuate between polarized experiences: Impulsivity and avoidance, over-involvement and fear of intimacy, a strong sense of guilt and blaming others, binge eating and compulsive dieting, apathy and unusual interest in the workplace, as well as caring for others and only caring for themselves. Their dichotomous thinking abhors contradictions. These are often highly capable, talented, and creative individuals, whose ability to function is low or impaired. BPD has intrigued many researchers, theorists, and clinicians; yet to this day, there is no consensus over a single, comprehensive model of this disorder.
