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5 Books about Borderline Personality Disorder That You Must Read Today
When my adult daughter was diagnosed with BPD, I immediately sought out books about borderline personality disorder. I needed to understand what the diagnosis meant and how I could help her (and me) deal with it. Because as long as I’m alive, she will be my daughter, and I will be there for her.
Lexi tells the story of her diagnosis in How BPD Changed Our Lives – Parenting a Child with Borderline Personality Disorder. She was courageous in talking publicly about this diagnosis, and I’m proud of her for her efforts to destigmatize BPD. The fact is, BPD is a relatively new disorder in the long history of understanding mental illness.
Arguably, BPD is one of the most challenging mental health disorders to treat and live with and around. Education is the key. Do you have someone in your life who has been diagnosed with BPD, or do you suspect it? Here are five books about Borderline Personality Disorder that will help you figure BPD out and find help for you and your loved ones.
Related: 10 Amazing Truths About Seeing a Counselor
I have listed the following BPD books in no particular order. All links are my affiliate links. If you choose to buy these books, I will earn a small commission. I appreciate your support.
A Book About BPD – from a Child’s View
Millie the Cat has Borderline Personality Disorder by Jessie Shepherd
This child’s book about living with BPD is so unique and straightforward if you have someone in your life who needs a basic understanding of BPD. I have a 13-year-old son who knows his adult sister faces a different kind of challenge than most. This book has helped me explain the challenges that she faces and why she behaves in specific ways.
Millie’s journey through the book gives a basic view of the negatives and positives of BPD. My daughter was fearfully and wonderfully made, and I know that her BPD gives her unique skills that not everyone has! Don’t be put off by the fact that it’s a children’s book. It is short, sweet, and concise. It also helps remind me what she’s dealing with on the tough days.
A Book about BPD – A Manual
by Randi Kreger
This book has been my go-to since my daughter’s diagnosis. People with BPD will use manipulation tactics, often unknowingly, to get their needs met. This book does a great job of pulling back the curtain and showing how those manipulative behaviors work and how those dealing with BPD can set healthy boundaries and hold them.
I have learned about how important it is to hold my boundaries when dealing with BPD. Both my daughter and I benefit in significant ways when I make a boundary and keep it. This process hasn’t come quickly. For some time, I have seen boundaries as a negative, but now that I’ve successfully begun to hold them, I can see that we are both reaping the rewards. As my therapist often reminds me, “boundaries like the Terminator, delivery like Mr. Rogers.”
A Book about BPD – Coping Skills
by Blaise Aguirre and Gillian Galen
My daughter, Lexi, recommends this book. She has read it through and refers back to it often as she copes with BPD. Slowly but surely with a solid cocktail of meds that work for her and the hard work she’s doing in therapy she is learning to cope with BPD in her everyday life. She is making valuable friends who work hard with her and support her recovery, and she understands her triggers more and more each day. When I asked her what book she recommends, this one was at the top of her list!
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A Book about BPD – Inner Conflict
by Jerold J. Kreisman
This comprehensive book has been one of the essential guides to Borderline Personality Disorder for over two decades. It has been revised to stay current with the most up-to-date research surrounding BPD. The book is not a quick and easy read, but neither is BPD quick nor easy. This book does a great job of explaining the inner conflict that those dealing with Borderline Personality Disorder experience regularly. You will also learn about other treatment options for BPD, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), among others.
This book is a must-read filled with insights for those dedicated to keeping a healthy relationship with a loved one diagnosed with BPD. Like Stop Walking on Eggshells, this book holds a prominent position on my shelf, and its dog-eared pages read like an old friend when I need one.
All about the author of this post: 10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Me
A Book about BPD – the Workbook
As I have processed Lexi’s journey through BPD, I have learned that I also have traits of BPD. This awareness makes total sense and has helped me understand my triggers and behaviors over the years. This workbook offers an opportunity to explore some of your personality traits and reflect on them. Many reviews have mentioned that it has helped with behavior therapy skills, especially when working directly with a therapist.
The workbook is written by Dr. Daniel Fox www.drdfox.com Dr. Fox’s YouTube Channel helps increase awareness of personality disorders such as BPD and comes with excellent reviews and a large following. Many of his viewers comment on his very non-judgmental approach, and I can get behind that!
Another Great Read: Learn How Pink and Purple Hair Will Change Your Outlook on Life!
Summary
One of the best things we can do to decrease the stigma around mental health issues is to talk about them. If we’re going to talk about BPD, then we need to take the time to educate ourselves on what it is and how it can affect both the person who has BPD and those who share a life with them. Books are a great way to begin. Malala Yousafzai, also known as simply Malala, a Pakistani activist for female education and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, says, “Let us pick up our books and pencils. They are our most powerful weapon.”
Go pick up one of these books about BPD and then pick up your pencil and write about your experience, here or online, or in your family. Any time we can educate ourselves and others around us, we make the world a better place.
