BPD: "manipulative, destructive and threatening behavior"

Earlier today I came across an article from the UK titled Exploring Registered Psychiatric Nurses' Responses towards Service Users with a Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder.

Sadly, you probably won't be too surprised to know that individuals diagnosed with BPD are often treated very differently from patients with other diagnoses in a hospital setting.

The study not only revealed that patients were often thought to be "manipulative," "destructive," and "difficult" but that nursing staff also displayed lower levels of empathy towards them.

As soon as I read the article, I thought about John Gottman's quote about how there really is a "deep personal longing" behind each and every complaint, argument, and tantrum.

When people with BPD feel genuinely validated, understood, and cared for, challenging behaviors become manageable and trust and openness begin to build.

Yes, it's difficult but far from impossible.

Isn't your relationship worth it?

You can read the entire article by clicking here.

Conference Call with Kiera Van Gelder

Kiera in Sarasota, FLPlease join us on Wednesday, May 23rd at 8:00 pm EDT (5:00 pm PDT) for an hour-long discussion with BPD educator and advocate Kiera Van Gelder.

Kiera is the author of The Buddha and the Borderline: My Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder through Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Buddhism, and Online Dating (New Harbinger, 2010) and has spoken at professional conferences throughout the United States and the United Kingdom.

After having her book published in 2010, Kiera was faced with several new and daunting challenges surrounding her physical health and was forced to reconsider what creating a life worth living truly meant to her. If you've ever been curious about the long-term outlook of the disorder and wanted some real answers, then this call is for you.

While this event is geared towards individuals diagnosed with the disorder, family members and friends are more than welcome to join in the discussion.

The cost for this event is $25 per person but you can register through May 16th for just $15 per person. Click here to register today or for more information, please contact Amanda at (941) 704-4328.

Borderline Personality Disorder and Mindfulness

Mindfulness can play a big role in transforming our experience with pain and other difficulties; it allows us to recognize the authenticity of the distress and yet not be overwhelmed by it. —Sharon Salzberg

The brain of someone with BPD races. Constantly.

Our minds jump from one thing to the next—past, present, and future—within moments. It's no wonder that we make poor and impulsive decisions that we later regret.

Mindfulness helps us to slow down and appreciate the present moment—without judgment towards ourselves or others.

Now mindfulness isn't magic or esoteric. It's a skill that's based in science and research. The very good news? It can help change your life.

Don't you deserve a life worth living?

DBT 101: What does "Doing DBT" really mean?

Image by Mitya KuznetsovPlease join us on Tuesday, March 27th at 8:00 pm EDT (-5 hours Greenwich Mean Time) for an in-depth discussion with North Carolina-based psychologist Sammy Banawan about all things dialectical behavior therapy.

Dr. Banawan received his PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Georgia. He was intensively-trained in DBT through Behavioral Tech and is also the founder of Durham DBT as well as a co-leader for DBT-U—a DBT program designed specifically for both undergraduate and graduate students.

He is also the creator of an iPhone application called Diary Card—an easy and simple way to help anyone (and that includes family, friends, and other loved ones) learn DBT while keeping track of their skills, emotions, and behaviors.

This important teleconference is designed to answer all of your questions about dialectical behavior therapy and the Diary Card app.

The cost for this event is $25 but you can register through March 17th for just $15. Please click here to register today and don't hesitate to contact Amanda Smith at (941) 704-4328 if you have any questions.

Borderline Personality Disorder Documentary Now Online

I'm so excited to announce that the Borderline Personality Disorder Resource Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has released the documentary Back from the Edge on YouTube!

Back from the Edge features author and educator Kiera Van Gelder, NEA-BPD's Perry Hoffman, Marsha Linehan, Otto Kernberg, John Gunderson, and the late Wayne Fenton.

Enjoy and share!