Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) was first included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in the third edition which was released in 1980. However the term borderline was first used in the medical profession by a psychologist named Adolf Stern*.
*The following post discusses self harm and suicide. Please make sure you are in a safe place mentally before reading. If you are struggling with suicidal or self harm thoughts please contact someone. LifeLine: 13 11 14, a friend, your GP or your local mental health crisis team.*
This year I am focusing more on Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). There is so much negative discussion around BPD, and I think it’s important that there is more balanced conversation. It’s for the sake of the diagnosed, the newly diagnosed and their loved ones.
I regularly Google the name of my blog to check where I have been mentioned that I may have missed. The results are usually positive link backs and I’m glad to be part of such a supportive blogging community. Today I discovered my blog and the radio interview I did as part of Mental Health Week linked on a blog that is so far removed from what I am trying to achieve here.
As part of Borderline Personality Awareness Month I will be having different posts about BPD. Today I have Janet who is sharing her story of what it was like to grow up with a parent who has Borderline.
Growing up, I knew my Mum had “manic depression” (bipolar disorder) but as I grew older, this made less and less sense. As an adult, I’ve known many people with bipolar – including one of my dear friends – and it just didn’t seem to fit.