Borderline Personality Disorder may be the most misunderstood and stigmatized of all mental health conditions. Which is amazing when you consider how many people meet the diagnosis for BPD.
It’s been estimated that about 1% to 2% of all people actively experience BPD at any given time. Given the wide prevalence of BPD and the severe emotional pain people with BPD suffer, it is truly mind boggling how many myths and misconceptions about Borderline Personality Disorder persist.
Even though several effective treatments have been developed over the past 30 years BPD remains under-treated and highly stigmatized among the public-at-large and, sadly, the therapeutic community. Fortunately, over that same time period several advocacy organizations and treatment centers have emerged that are committed to addressing and correcting negative BPD stereotypes, attitudes and beliefs. One example is the New York City based BPD advocacy group Emotions Matter.
Emotions Matter recently produced an educational film that challenges some of the most common – and inaccurate – notions about BPD. The 24 minute documentary “Understanding the Myths and the Facts About BPD”, details and disputes several misconceptions about BPD through the personal experiences of people who have the disorder and experts in BPD who provide additional clinical context.
An online screening of the film was recently co-hosted by the Clearview Treatment Center of Los Angeles, California, a leading BPD therapy community. The film is also available on the Emotions Matter website along with related teaching and discussions guides. “Understanding the Myths and the Facts About BPD” can also be found on YouTube
I registered online to watch this highly informative presentation and panel discussion. Afterward I sent an email to one of the co-founders of Emotion Matters, Inc, Paula Tusiani-Eng to thank the organization for making the film and to ask permission to share information about the film here on TheBPDBlog.
In her response email, Paula wrote, “Thanks for your kind words about the video. It has been a labor of love after all of these months (and many production stops and starts due to quarantine), but hope it helps the wider community become more educated about BPD and stigma. Of course you can share the link to YouTube, and thanks for giving Emotions Matter credit. Let me know if you have any further questions. We’re all in this together.”
And you know what? We all are and will continue to be!
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