About.com

A Farewell Message from About.com's Guide to BPD

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:57:42 +0000

I write this post with a heavy heart. For the past three years, I have had the pleasure of being About.com's Guide to borderline personality disorder. I have met so many wonderful people through this site, and have enjoyed interacting with my readers and providing what I hope has been reliable, encouraging information about BPD. Recently, new personal and professional responsibilities have reduced the amount of time that I have been able to devote to the site, and it has become clear to me that it is time to leave and make way for a new guide to give their fresh perspective.

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NFL Player Brandon Marshall Reveals He Has Borderline Personality

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:27:15 +0000

On Being "Thrown Out of the Nest"

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 11:05:52 +0000

This is one of my favorite quotes by Pema Chodron -- "To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest."

What do I love about this quote? I think it speaks to the fact that life is inherently scary. It speaks to our very human desire to stay in a safe place, protected. And it speaks to our need to confront reality to be truly alive. In my work with patients, we often tackle these issues. People with BPD have every reason to seek security -- many have been deprived of security in their childhood, or, because of the nature of their symptoms, feel insecure even when they are in a safe place. But, by seeking security all the time, they can miss out on life's big opportunities; the chance to try something new, to fall in love, to pursue their goals.

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BPD and Alterations in Thinking

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 20:00:13 +0000

There are several ways in which borderline personality disorder can alter the way you think. Some of the symptoms of BPD can alter the content of your thoughts (i.e., the way that you interpret the environment, other people's behavior, your own actions), while other symptoms can alter the process of thinking (as in dissociation).

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Should You Disclose Your Diagnosis?

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 22:26:35 +0000

Dr. Marsha Linehan's disclosure in the national media that she had borderline personality disorder in her late adolescence and early adulthood has a lot of people talking. One of the big topics of conversation: does this mean that more people with BPD will disclose their diagnosis? Will Dr. Linehan's disclosure reduce some of the stigma about the disorder? Who is it safe to disclose to, and under what circumstances?

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Dr. Marsha Linehan Reveals Her Own Struggles With Borderline Personality Disorder

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:55:33 +0000

I have always had immense respect for Dr. Marsha Linehan's work (she is the creator of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for borderline personality disorder), but my respect and admiration for her has just grown tremendously. This week, in a talk at the Institute of Living in Hartford, Connecticut, Dr. Linehan revealed to an audience that she struggled with symptoms of BPD herself for many years (and continues to struggle with some symptoms to this day).

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Some Thoughts About Anger

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 09:45:52 +0000

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned." Gautama Siddharta

As many of you know, very intense anger is a symptom of borderline personality disorder (BPD). But, unlike some other symptoms of BPD (i.e., feelings of emptiness, or fear of abandonment), many people with BPD feel the need to hold on to anger. For example, I have had readers and clients say things like, "Everyone is always telling me to let go of my anger. But when someone hurts me, don't I deserve to feel angry? Why should I let it go?"

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Are People with BPD More Likely to Cheat?

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:45:26 +0000

Lots of spouses and partners tell stories of their BPD loved one's infidelity. But, is there any evidence that people with BPD are more likely to cheat? Do some of the symptoms of BPD lead people to be at greater risk of infidelity?

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Memorial Day Wishes

Fri, 27 May 2011 14:39:42 +0000

On this Memorial Day weekend in the U.S. I am full of gratitude. I am thinking about all those who have served or are currently serving, and all those who have lost their lives in service. I'm also thinking about the individuals and families who have been affected by their loved ones' service; those who have had to cope on the home front, and those who have lost their parent, spouse, partner, child, family member or friend.

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How to Breathe

Thu, 19 May 2011 15:06:56 +0000

You're probably thinking that you already have a pretty good grasp on breathing, right?

Yes, if you are reading this you are probably breathing. But, are your breathing in a way that activates your sympathetic nervous system (the flight-or-fight response)? Or, are you breathing to maximize the effect of the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest-and-digest response)?

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