Life at the Border - Understanding and Recovering from the Borderline Personality Disorder [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Leland M. Heller M.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1991

Explains for the layman - with or without the BPD - what it's like to live with the borderline personality disorder, and how to recover. Includes explanations of biology, medications, therapy, and other diagnoses. An extensive bibliography and glossary are included. Life at the Border was placed on the recommended reading list by the National Institute of Mental Health and is a reference book at NIMH.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I am impressed with the scope of your book and believe that patients and families will find it enlightening and useful. I plan to include it on our reading list which I send out in response to requests for information from borderline individuals, their families and therapists. I would also like to request a copy for our reference shelf" -- Kathleen M. O'Leary, MSW, BCD, National Institute of Mental Health

"It wasn't until I discovered (this book) and the man behind the book via the (inter)net, that my life changed dramatically for the better...What never had occurred to me before was that my brain was injured and needed to be fixed as well...I wish I would have discovered this book years ago" -- Patty Johnson MSW, Owner "The Borderline Personality Disorder"

Dr. Leland Heller's comprehensive new perspective on understanding and treating the Borderline Personality Disorder ... offers victims and their families an opportunity for improvement and possible recovery from this serious, destructive illness." -- Mary Elizabeth Sales, MSW

About the Author

Dr. Heller is an expert on borderline personality disorder(BPD). He has treated thousands of BPD patients, run support groups, worked with the media - both radio and television, lectured to professionals and the general public, performed research, run intensive treatment programs, and answered hundreds of BPD questions as "ask the Doctor" on BPD website "The Borderline Personality Disorder Sanctuary."

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Dyslimbia Pr Inc; 3 edition (December 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1928947018
• ISBN-13: 978-1928947011
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY!! - A book everyone can understand!!, July 24, 1999

By 

Amy - ([e-mail]) (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life at the Border - Understanding and Recovering from the Borderline Personality Disorder (Paperback)

Dr. Heller has written a book that gives a better description of Border Line Personality Disorder than I have read anywhere. I don't agree with his choice of medications, and this made the book hard for me to read initially.

I have always felt that I was a prisoner of this terrible 'disease'. I've read books on BPD and I didn't think I could change the way I feel. these books were just to help me understand my disorder and help my loved ones 'deal' with me.

This book puts BPD in terms of a -physical- as well as a mental disorder. I think this description is something everyone who reads the book can empathize with.

This information made me feel so much more comfortable with myself. I feel I have more control now that I know what is wrong. The people in my life are more willing to help me overcome this disorder now that they can see for themselves a clearly defined physical problem, where it is, and what it's causes are.

They still may not understand what I feel or experience, but they know there is a real problem and they are willing to support me. I know I can overcome this problem using the many excellent suggestions and exercises listed in this book.

I am not 'powerless' anymore.

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OUTDATED - But still not bad at all, November 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Life at the Border - Understanding and Recovering from the Borderline Personality Disorder (Paperback)

I liked this book, Dr. Heller seems to have a lot of experience in the treatment of BPD. The book is easy to read and follow, and I found it pretty interesting. HOWEVER, the book is really nt up-to-date with the recent medical and psychological research. It is claimed that the book has been updated in 1999. I dno't believe it. Nothing to say about DBT, newer SSRIs and atypical antipsychotics.

If you just want to understand the disorder, get this book. If you are looking for treatment, this book is way out of date,

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally some practical information on a little known subject, November 9, 1999

By 

Helen Worcester ([e-mail]) (Guerneville, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life at the Border - Understanding and Recovering from the Borderline Personality Disorder (Paperback)

This book, which is used as a reference book by NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health),gives hope to people who have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder; a disorder which has been thought to be untreatable by most of the medical community. Dr. Heller not only gives a very clear picture of the borderline personality disorder but also recommends a treatment plan which has had a very high success rate. The books sheds new light on a much misunderstood disease and can be a life saver for anyone suffering with this disorder.