Synopses & Reviews
If you or someone you love is struggling with borderline personality disorder (BPD), you need up-to-date, accurate, and accessible information on the problems you’re facing and where you can turn for help. But where do you look? Much of the professional literature on BPD is too technical and confusing to be of much help. And searching the Internet for accurate information can be treacherous, with some sites providing useful information and others giving dangerous advice and misinformation. If you’re living with BPD, this compassionate book offers what you really need: an easy-to-follow road map to guide you through this disorder and its treatment.
This book provides answers to many of the questions you might have about BPD: What is BPD? How long does it last? What other problems co-occur with BPD? Overviews of what we currently know about BPD make up the first section of the book. Later chapters cover several common treatment approaches to BPD: DBT, mentalization-based treatment (MBT), and medication treatments. In the last sections of the book, you’ll learn a range of useful coping skills that can help you manage your emotions, deal with suicidal thoughts, and cope with some of the most distressing symptoms of BPD.
This book has been awarded The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Self-Help Seal of Merit — an award bestowed on outstanding self-help books that are consistent with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles and that incorporate scientifically tested strategies for overcoming mental health difficulties. Used alone or in conjunction with therapy, our books offer powerful tools readers can use to jump-start changes in their lives.
Review
The Borderline Personality Disorder Survival Guide is exactly what its title suggests. Through the use of many rich clinical examples and exacting and intriguing metaphors, Chapman and Gratz take us through the diagnosis and probable causes of BPD, some of the myths about BPD, and possible explanations of the problems that often accompany BPD. They review both psychological and medication treatments and end up with very practical advice on how to deal with suicidal thoughts as well as with situations when control over one's emotions seems tenuous at best. Clearly written and easily read, this book truly is a practical everyday guide not only to surviving but to growing healthier while struggling with BPD.
—Kenneth R Silk, MD, professor of psychiatry and director of the Personality Disorders Program at the University of Michigan Medical School and Health System
Review
Until relatively recently, there has been little to relieve the pronounced suffering of those living with borderline personality disorder. In their lucid and deeply compassionate book, Blaise Aguirre and Gillian Galen explore how mindfulnessthe essential strategy in dialectical behavior therapy, developed by preeminent psychologist Marsha Linehancan open the doors to genuine healing. This informative and accessible guide includes a rich set of mindfulness exercises and short case studies to bring inner ease, resourcefulness, and freedom. Whether you experience borderline symptomology, have loved ones who struggle with this condition, or are a therapist seeking to enhance your skills, this book will provide you with invaluable support and inspiration."
Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge
Review
Finally, a practical guide for helping individuals improve their BPD symptoms by applying the core DBT skill of mindfulness. Aguirre and Galen have applied mindfulness to borderline personality disorder in a unique and precise way. This is a book many people suffering from BPD can use to improve the quality of their lives."
Michael Roy, LCSW, founder and executive director of Clearview Womens Center for Borderline Personality Disorder
Review
Aguirre and Galen have written a lucid, elegant, and practical book. Speaking directly to the individual with borderline personality disorder, they offer accessible explanations and instructions for applying ancient mindfulness practices to current suffering, destructive urges, waves of emotional pain, and endangered relationshipsall in the service of building a life worth living. The authors are effective, even ingenious, in showing how to use each of the six core mindfulness skills in dialectical behavior therapy to address each of the painful features of borderline personality disorder, which include feelings of emptiness, identity disturbances, episodes of dissociation and paranoia, and self-hatred. The vignettes are true-to-life, the explanations of neuroscience and Buddhism are understandable, the prescribed practices are immediately useful, and the whole package is presented with a maximum of clarity, a minimum of jargon, and a tone of compassion. I cant wait to prescribe this book to my patients; indeed, I think it has already made me a better teacher!”
Charles Swenson, MD, associate clinical professor of psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, with a private practice of psychiatry and psychotherapy in Northampton, MA
Review
Bringing together dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), biological science, and mindfulness traditions with their own clinical wisdom, Aguirre and Galen offer a comprehensive users guide for managing the mental anguish associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Whether already experienced or brand new to DBT, those recovering from BPD will find their insights and practices invaluable for growing in self-acceptance and effective living. I highly recommend this book to individuals who feel trapped in a life of suffering.”
Seth R. Axelrod, PhD, associate professor in the department of psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine
Review
This small gem of a book takes the reader on a quiet, but powerful journey of healing as the practice of mindfulness is systematically applied to the core problem areas of borderline personality disorder. The authors show exactly how one can take a life filled with suicidal thoughts and self-destructive behaviors and change it by applying mindfulness skills to underlying dysregulation of emotions, thoughts, behaviors, relationships, and experiences of self. They do this through clear explanations, step-by-step instructions, and excellent case examples. By the end, one has a deep appreciation of the central role of mindfulness practice in overcoming borderline pathology and building a live worth living. It also offers actual clinical skills to help patients develop mindfulness skills where it counts. This is an invaluable book for sufferers of BPD and for all who work with them.”
Don Ross, MD, medical director of the Retreat at Sheppard Pratt and clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Maryland
Review
Blaise Aguirre and Gillian Galen's book offers positive coping skills and real inspiration to people working to move beyond the suffering arising from their struggles with BPD. This clear presentation of the practices of mindfulness and loving kindness ties in closely with their work as dialectical behavior therapists, and is a most valuable contribution.”
Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness, and cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society
Review
Mindfulness for Borderline Personality Disorder is an indispensable book for anyone suffering from BPD. Packed with innovative techniques and ancient wisdom, it answers the often-asked question, how can mindfulness help me with specific BPD symptoms? Aguirre and Galen have successfully answered this question with an exceptional book full of concrete exercises and personal examples. They teach us how to build the muscle of mindfulness in all areas of our lives, uniting mindfulness skills with practices of compassion, meditation, and self-reflection. I've found this book to be an essential companion to Marsha Linehan's
Skills Training Manual for Treating Borderline Personality Disorder, complimenting and expanding on the critical foundation of core mindfulness by helping us apply awareness and compassion to ourselves, our relationships, and the world we live in. My copy of
Mindfulness for Borderline Personality Disorder is already highlighted and dog-eared after only one reading, and I am certain this valuable book will be an enduring resource and inspiration for all those on the path of BPD recovery.”
Kiera Van Gelder, author of The Buddha and the Borderline
Review
Aguirre and Galen use their combined years of experience working with teens and young adults diagnosed with BPD to produce an excellent book for consumers, family members, and professionals. They review various aspects of mindfulness and how it can help individuals diagnosed with BPD reduce their suffering while increasing their capacity for pleasure and joy. The authors provide helpful instructions on how to set up a formal mindfulness practice as well as how to practice mindfulness in daily living. I commend the authors for taking sophisticated content about mindfulness and borderline personality disorder and making it easy to understand and apply."
Alec Miller, cofounder of Cognitive and Behavioral Consultants of Westchester and Manhattan and professor of clinical psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Review
Aguirre and Galen have provided an outstanding contribution to those practicing, learning, or teaching mindfulness. Both the concepts and examples equally serve the novice and the expert, making the book a must-have resource for everyone. Every personal, professional, and public library should have this book on its shelf.”
Perry D. Hoffman, PhD, president of the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder
Review
This is a great (and unique) book for anyone who has received a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD), written by two experts who study and treat BPD. The features of BPD are described in very understandable terms, and there are clear suggestions for coping with these features and problems, as well as for understanding their impact. I highly recommend this book for those receiving the diagnosis, as well as for those with family members or friends with BPD.”
Timothy J. Trull, PhD, curators' professor of psychological sciences at the University of Missouri
Review
“Aguirre and Galen have raised the bar for self-help resources in the borderline personality disorder (BPD) community. Their wisdom and compassion shine through the lines of this text, creatively identifying common problems and effective solutions. For the person in recovery, they offer tools for problem solving to promote stability; and for therapists, and especially for professionals in training, they provide an opportunity to understand the individual experience of living with BPD—an accomplishment that renders this book a space in everyone’s library.”—Perry D. Hoffman, PhD, president and cofounder of National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder
Review
“Blaise Aguirre and Gillian Galen have written a compassionate, sensitive, and practical book to help individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) successfully navigate everyday life challenges. I'm exceptionally proud to recommend this important book to my clients as well as their family members and friends.”—Amanda L. Smith, LMSW, dialectical behavior therapist and treatment consultant, and author of The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Wellness Planner
Review
“Aguirre and Galen have written a thoughtful and practical guide for people suffering with borderline personality disorder (BPD). This book will be an important resource for clients as well as professionals and family members.”—Michael Hollander, PhD, director of training at McLean 3East, assistant professor of psychology in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and author of Helping Teens Who Cut
Review
“There are few books designed to help the individual suffering from borderline personality disorder (BPD) to use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) tools to help get them through difficult situations. A supplement to traditional coaching and therapy, this book accomplishes that with simplicity and clarity. Aguirre and Galen have written a practical guide that will serve as a road map to help clients improve their lives, and at the same time help therapists working with some of the most challenging clients.”—Michael Roy, LCSW, founder and executive director of Clearview Women’s Center, a treatment center specializing in borderline personality and emotional disorders
Synopsis
This book offers a complete overview of borderline personality disorder (BPD), its symptoms and treatment, and ways BPD sufferers can navigate their lives with this complicated condition.
Synopsis
The Borderline Personality Disorder Survival Guide is organized as a series of answers to questions common to BPD sufferers: What is BPD? How long does it last? What other problems co-occur with BPD? Overviews what we currently know about BPD make up the first section of the book. Later chapters cover several common treatment approaches to BPD: dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mentalization-based therapy (MBT), and medical treatment using psychoactive drugs. In the last sections of the book, readers learn a range of day-to-day coping skills that can help moderate the symptoms of BPD.
Synopsis
Written by Blaise Aguirre—a prominent psychiatrist specializing in the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD)—Mindfulness for Borderline Personality Disorder offers a new, mindfulness-based approach to emotion regulation and the common symptoms associated with BPD. The mindfulness treatments outlined in this book are based on the author's highly successful program at Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital, and are drawn from dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), a proven-effective treatment for BPD.
Synopsis
If you are like many others living with borderline personality disorder (BPD), you know what its like to be overwhelmed by intense and fluctuating emotions; to have difficulty with relationships; and to constantly struggle with troubling thoughts and behaviors. BPD can be especially difficult to treat, though there are ways to gain control over your symptoms and live a happier, healthier life.
Expanding on the core skill of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Mindfulness for Borderline Personality Disorder will help you target and successfully manage many of the familiar symptoms of BPD. Inside, you will learn the basics of mindfulness through specific exercises, and will gain powerful insight through real-life stories from people who have BPD. If you are ready to take that first step on the path toward wellness, this book will be your guide.
Synopsis
Two experts on borderline personality disorder (BPD) present the fifth book in the New Harbinger Guides for the Newly Diagnosed Series. This easy-to-read book offers an introduction to BPD for those who have recently been diagnosed, outlines the most common complications of the illness and the most effective treatments available, and provides readers with practical strategies for staying on the path to recovery.
Synopsis
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious personality disorder marked by extreme, fluctuating emotions, black-and-white thinking, problems with interpersonal relationships, and in extreme cases, self-harm. If you have recently been diagnosed with BPD, you likely have many questions. What treatment options are available? How do you tell your friends and loved ones? And what are the common side-effects of medication?
A diagnosis of BPD can definitely change your life, but it can also be a catalyst for personal transformation and growth. In Borderline Personality Disorder: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed, two renowned experts on BPD present an easy-to-read introduction to BPD for those who have recently been diagnosed. Readers will learn the most common complications of the illness, the most effective treatments available, and practical strategies for staying on the path to recovery.
This book is a part of New Harbinger Publications Guides for the Newly Diagnosed series. The series was created to help people who have recently been diagnosed with a mental health condition. Our goal is to offer user-friendly resources that provide answers to common questions readers may have after receiving a diagnosis, as well as evidence-based strategies to help them cope with and manage their condition, so that they can get back to living a more balanced life.
Visit www.newharbinger.com for more books in this series.
Synopsis
People with borderline personality disorder (BPD) often feel like they are in emotional overdrive, and may struggle just to get through the day. In Soothe the Suffering, two renowned BPD experts offer simple, easy-to-use skills drawn from dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for addressing the most common issues that people with BPD face every day, such as intense feelings of anger, depression, and anxiety.
Synopsis
In this much-needed book, two renowned borderline personality disorder (BPD) experts offer simple, easy-to-use skills drawn from dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to help you address the most common issues of BPD, such as intense feelings of anger, depression, and anxiety.
For many, having BPD is like living in emotional overdrive. And whether you are feeling depressed, anxious, worried, or angry, you might struggle just to get through each day. So, how can you start balancing your moods and managing your symptoms? This helpful guide addresses over fifty of the most common struggles people with BPD face every day, and offers accessible, evidence-based solutions to help you feel better and get back to living your life.
You'll discover powerful DBT and mindfulness skills to help you set personal limits, manage intense emotions and moods, and address issues like substance abuse and doing harm to yourself and others. In addition, you'll learn how to deal with the inevitable negative self-talk, feelings of paranoia, and self-invalidation.
If youre ready to take charge of your BPDinstead of letting it take control of youthis book will be your go-to guide. Perfect for everyday use, the practices within will help you manage your symptoms as they arise.
About the Author
Alexander L. Chapman, PhD, RPsych, is a psychologist and professor in the department of psychology at Simon Fraser University (SFU), as well as president of the DBT Centre of Vancouver. Chapman directs the Personality and Emotion Research Lab where he studies the role of emotion regulation in borderline personality disorder (BPD), self-harm, impulsivity, and other behavioral problems. His research is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Chapman received the Young Investigator’s Award of the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder in 2007, the Canadian Psychological Association’s (CPA) Scientist Practitioner Early Career Award, and a Career Investigator Award from the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research. He has coauthored eight books—three of which received the 2012 Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) Self-Help Book Seal of Merit Award. Chapman is committed to bringing knowledge and skills from psychological science to people who need help managing their emotions. He has been practicing mindfulness for over fifteen years, practices martial arts, and enjoys hiking, skiing, reading, and spending time with his wonderful wife and two sons.
Kim L. Gratz, PhD, is professor of psychiatry and human behavior at the University of Mississippi Medical Center where she serves as director of the division of gender, sexuality, and health, as well as director of both personality disorders research and the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Clinic. Gratz received the Young Investigator’s Award of the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder in 2005, and the Mid-Career Investigator Award of the North American Society for the Study of Personality Disorders in 2015. She has written numerous journal articles and book chapters on borderline personality disorder (BPD), deliberate self-harm, and emotion regulation (among other topics), and is coauthor of four books on BPD, self-harm, and DBT, including The Borderline Personality Disorder Survival Guide, Borderline Personality Disorder, Freedom from Self-Harm, and The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Anxiety. Three of these books have received the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) Self-Help Book Seal of Merit Award. Gratz currently serves as principal investigator or coinvestigator on several large federal grants, including multiple grants from the National Institutes of Health.
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