Psychological Matters

There are many excellent books written about Borderline Personality Disorder.  Here are a few that I found particularly helpful.   Please be aware these references are not listed alphabetical, but rather in order of my favorite. Overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder: A Family Guide for Healing and Change by Valerie Porr, MA (2010, Oxford University Press) Valerie Porr, MA, is the founder of the non-profit organization Treatment and Research Advancement-NationalAssociation for Personality Disorder ( TARA APD) whose mission is to increase education and research in the field of personality disorder. She has written this outstanding book on BPD. It provides a comprehensive overview of the disorder, which includes the latest research on the etiology of the disease and the latest treatment options. It is primarily written for family members with loved one with BPD who are looking for effective coping strategies and compassionate interpersonal techniques to r...

Most people have a Hollywood perspective of psychiatric hospitalizations. It is commonly assumed that emotionally-struggling individuals are admitted to get psychological treatment and are only released once they are cured, or at least more socially functional. This is not true. Since brief stays at a psychiatric hospital are often part of the treatment plan for people struggling with borderline personality disorder, it is important to understand when and how to facilitate an admission to such a facility. Some common questions about psychiatric hospitalizations include: What psychological or physical symptoms are required to qualify someone for an admission? What is the difference between an involuntary commitment and a voluntary admission? Can a patient sign out of the hospital at anytime? Criteria for psychiatric hospitalization have changed over the years. The main purpose is to keep individuals safe while their most severe symptoms are being treated with medication. Mo...