The Borderline Personality Disorder Survival Guide (Paperback)

~ Alex Chapman (Author), Kim Gratz (Author)
Key Phrases: dialectical behavior therapy, psychic equivalence, pretend mode, The Borderline Personality Disorder Survival Guide, Medication Treatments, Marsha Linehan (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The book is organized as a series of answers to questions common to BPD sufferers: What is BPD? How long does it last? What other problems co-occur with BPD? Overviews what we currently know about BPD make up the first section of the book. Later chapters cover several common treatment approaches to BPD: dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mentalization-based therapy (MBT), and medical treatment using psychoactive drugs. In the last sections of the book, readers learn a range of day-to-day coping skills that can help moderate the symptoms of BPD.

From the Publisher

This book offers a complete overview of borderline personality disorder (BPD), its symptoms and treatment, and ways BPD sufferers can navigate their lives with this complicated condition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications; 1 edition (November 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572245077
• ISBN-13: 978-1572245075
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,457 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #8 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Mental Health > Personality Disorders
  #16 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > Pathologies
  #26 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Mental Health > Mood Disorders

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

86 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important, forward-thinking, much welcome book, December 18, 2007

By	shootingstar "shootingstar" - See all my reviews

As someone diagnosed with BPD, I have done a lot of research on the condition, both online and by reading any book written on the subject. Many of those books (except for BPD Demystified)are extremely outdated, even if they're only a few years old. And many of them were disappointedly irresponsible, being quite negative and insisting that the prognosis was always dire and/or perpetuating the huge myth that those diagnosed with BPD are basically manipulative.

I say this because this book is different. It has the latest information on BPD, from what it is, how it may come about, what therapies are out there, if medication helps, and, quite important, speaks about new research on the brain and how this research shows actual physical differences in those with BPD. The book succeeds most in 2 particular ways: (1) In the way it is organized. Well-written chapters, clear headings and subheadings, easy for anyone and everyone to understand, and comprehensive summaries at chapter ends to note the main points. The books is also divided into Parts I and II, to make the focus and direction even clearer. For this alone, it is a book I would recommend to anyone interested in BPD, whether a professional, consumer, family member, friend, student, etc.

And furthermore, (2) The Survival Guide does not take one position and stubbornly adhere to it. It recognizes that there are many differences among those diagnosed with BPD, even as the similarities in how they "match" the criteria kinda puts us all in the same group. Of all the information out there, it presents the most "open" view, meaning that it is informative and hopeful and recognizes that this is a complex condition but that it is indeed treatable. And the authors cite many studies to back up their points. They don't pretend to have all the answers, but instead create an opening for real dialog and discussion.

I recommend this book wholeheartedly, without any reservation whatsoever. It will educate you, let you see the individuality of people diagnosed with BPD, and present you with the latest in therapy and in research, without prejudice. I am thankful for this book. It is honest and impartial. And perhaps above all else, that's what BPD literature presently needs the most.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, positive, highly recommend, August 3, 2008

By	jaspertyler (Milwaukee, WI United States) - See all my reviews

I was preparing for a presentation for NAMI and was asked to help clients, family members, and other professionals understand BPD. I found this to be an important task due to the negative information that is out there on BPD. This book was published just prior to the date of the presentation and I used it as a main source for the presentation and recommended it to all who attended. I also highly recommended it to my consultation team as something they may benefit from reading as well as to recommend for their clients. I found this book to be very informative, describing BPD from the model used within DBT therapy. The book was hopeful and inspiring to me in working with clients with BPD and I hope this book is read by many. I thank the authors for writing a book that is so user friendly. Several of my clients have benefited from this book already!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Approach is BPD-friendly, and that's a good thing., August 9, 2009

By	Reader (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Which is why, I think, so many reviews are from people with BPD. While I think there are many things in this book, especially DBT, that can be of tremendous help for people, it is important also to keep in mind that, though we may not like it, many of the traits of Borderline Personality do include things, such as manipulation, lying, splitting, pitting one against another, suicidal gestures, and irrational anger that do affect the people around the Borderline Personality Disordered person in negative ways. One of the main characteristics of any personality disorder is that the affected person sees it as everyone else's problem. This is why the approach of this book is valuable, as it appeals to the Borderline's desire for positive self-image. We all want this, of course, but we don't all have to struggle for it inspite of our ongoing pattern of destructive, manipulative, and chaotic behavior. As a therapist, I have chosen to stop treating personality-disordered patients, as the demands made on my personal life were simply too much. Like I said, this book is great for what it is, but I worry that family members and friends will feel yet another invalidation--another BPD telling them it's "just their imagination."

Don't get me wrong, I DO NOT think BPD's, or anyone, is evil. These people need help desperately, and usually have a strong charismatic energy that makes them attractive, even seeming "bigger than life." Unfortunately, I've seen too many people around the BPD who suffer and are traumatized, not because the Borderline is evil or wants to hurt people, but because of chronic emptiness the Borderline suffers. This chronic emptiness also results in an extremely low capacity for empathy with other people.

However, ultimately the important thing is what works. DBT is a great thing for everybody in general, in my opinion. And several other treatments in this book could have great benefit for someone who is suffering, and I do believe,and have seen, the great suffering, of BPD.