(Extract from the Mind Publication "Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder")

'I wish I had never been diagnosed with BPD. With another diagnosis yet similar behaviour I was treated so differently. Possibly the most painful part of this illness (I will call it that) is the discrimination. And the only reason for this is the diagnosis, not the way I feel, behave or speak, because that was the same before.'

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a controversial diagnosis. This booklet aims to help people to understand when the diagnosis might be given and its consequences. It suggests sources of help for those diagnosed with this problem, their friends and relatives.

What is borderline personality disorder?

BPD is one of many personality disorders listed in the manuals used by clinicians when they are giving someone a psychiatric diagnosis. The word 'personality' refers to the on-going pattern of thoughts, feelings and outward behaviour that makes us the people we are.

A personality disorder may be diagnosed when it's felt that several areas of someone's personality are causing them or others problems in everyday life. This diagnosis is very controversial, because it implies that someone's whole personality is flawed - rather that just one aspect of them. Some psychiatrists argue that it's impossible to treat someone's personality and that it's wrong to apply medical terms and treatments to a personality. For this reason, it is usually the symptoms of BPD that are addressed in treatment rather than the disorder as a whole. (See Mind's booklet Understanding Personality Disorders for more information about this particular group of diagnoses).

Some argue that the term 'borderline' is misleading. Originally, the term was applied to people who seemed to be on the border of being given a diagnosis of schizophrenia. However, now BPD is seen as distinct from schizophrenia diagnoses. The 'borderline' aspect is seen to express being on the border of psychosis. If someone has a psychosis, it means they have beliefs or experiences not shared by others. Those diagnosed with BPD may have these at times of stress.

It has been estimated that three-quarters of those given this diagnosis are women. In the USA, BPD is thought to affect two out of every 100 people. Unfortunately there are no equivalent UK statistics at present. It's a condition that isn't usually diagnosed until adulthood, because the personality is seen as still developing until then.

Because of the controversy surrounding this diagnosis, services are often not readily available. However, there are routes you may be able to take, which are listed later in this booklet.

Topics also included in this leaflet are: