Krause 1

Kirsten Krause
December 4th, 2017
AP/ECE English 12
Section B
Mrs. Kirkpatrick

A Look into the Reality of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is one of the most “​misunderstood, misdiagnosed

and stigmatized conditions”​ ​of today’s society ​(“Stigma”). Often, when one considers the

defining characteristics of an individual with BPD, the common belief is that they are violent,

unpredictable, social outcasts who are unable to maintain a stable relationship with another

individual. However, individuals with BPD instead “experience intense episodes of [depression]

and anxiety,” and suffer from a constant fear of abandonment; an outcome that is consequently

produced from the symptoms of their illness, fueling an endless cycle of feeling lost and helpless

(“Borderline”). ​The stigma of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is ruthlessly

intensified by way of inaccurate public perceptions of individuals with BPD, bolstered by

the increasingly popular media portrayal of individuals with BPD as being helplessly

violent and unpredictable; to eradicate the stigma around BPD, it is important to defy

common misconceptions about the illness by revealing to the public the reality of living

with the disorder, as well as detailing instances of individuals with BPD leading established

lives.

The stigma of individuals with BPD is exacerbated by the public’s exposure to countless

misconceptions that BPD individuals are unbearable, evoking feelings of discomfort and fear

amongst members of society who are uneducated about the truths regarding the illness. Some of

the most popular misconceptions are in regards to the ability of an individual with BPD to
 Krause 2

receive treatment, control their actions and emotions, and live comfortably with others (Aviram).

People commonly believe that individuals with BPD are unbearable, manipulative, and are only

in search of attention; thus inducing feelings of fear, resentment, distrust, and frustration towards

individuals with BPD (Aviram). These myths even infiltrate as far as the medical environment

where the intense stigma around BPD influences ​“some [medical professionals to] limit the

amount of BPD patients they’re willing to see or refuse to treat people with BPD altogether,”

(“Stigma”). Despite the popularity of what such misconceptions suggest about individuals with

BPD, these assertions do not reveal the reality of living with BPD, in turn augmenting the stigma

around the illness and reinforcing feelings of discomfort in the public. However, those who are

affected by BPD actually focus much of their energy on avoiding behaviors that are most

commonly stigmatized and misconceived by the public; one of their greatest fears is “real or

imagined abandonment,” thus causing them to seek treatments so as to avoid undesirable

characteristics of the illness (“Borderline”). A study by Anthony Bateman and Peter Fonagy,

co-ordinators of Mentalization Based Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder, revealed

that 31% of individuals with BPD were receiving talk therapy, only one of various treatment

methods, resulting in symptoms of a lower severity as well an “improved quality of life,”

(Bateman and Fonagy, “Borderline”). Although these individuals actively defy stigma by

seeking treatment and guidance through their illness, common myths and misconceptions still

outweigh the impact of positive therapy and coping methods​ on public opinion and the

stigmatization of the illness.

The media portrayal of individuals with BPD has mercilessly augmented the stigma

around the illness by portraying those with the disorder as violent, unpredictable barbarics that
 Krause 3

are capable of horrifying actions. Countless popular television shows and movies feature

characters that are affected by BPD, each of them portraying the ill as vicious, manipulative

murderers on a ruthless rampage. The use of BPD characters in popular media greatly influences

the public’s attitudes towards the illness; consequently, people are afraid of, disgusted, and

enraged by the apparent characteristics of BPD. University of Tennessee professor of psychiatry

David M. Allen asserts that these portrayals are only successful in “[spreading] common,

destructive myths about the disorder,” and fail to correspond with “the behavior of actual

people” who are affected by the disorder (Allen). Along with depicting these individuals as

incredibly dangerous and untrustworthy, the media fails to mention any details about the history

of an individual’s illness or a possible trigger that may have influenced the outbreak of

uncontrollable symptoms, enforcing the myth that claims those with BPD are unpredictable as it

falsely implies that at any moment, they may erupt. A character in the popular criminal justice

show ​Criminal Minds​, Rodney Harris, suffers from BPD due to a traumatic past of molestation

by a trusted adult figure. In the episode, Harris unleashes a violent rampage and brutally murders

three innocent people before immediately turning on his family and threatening to kill his own

son. His episodes of murderous violence were arbitrary, and no link was shown between

Rodney’s actions and an event that triggered his behaviors. While this portrayal of Rodney

generated a suspenseful storyline, the depiction of the characteristics of BPD only promoted the

idea that interaction with a BPD individual is incredibly hostile, reinforcing the stigma around

the illness that suggests they are violent and unpredictable individuals. This negative portrayal of

BPD individuals has a profound impact on the lives of those who live with the illness; outcasting

them from society, labeling anyone with BPD as violent and dangerous due to the effects of
 Krause 4

clustering bias, and causing patients to experience guilt about their condition, prompting them to

become fearful to seek out needed help or treatment.

Television shows such as ​Criminal Minds ​and ​NCIS​ and even media headlines

specifically exacerbate stigma through use of scare tactics that exacerbate the severity of the

characteristics of BPD, consequently reinforcing feelings of fear and disgust towards individuals

with BPD.​ ​Shows in the criminal justice genre apply scare tactics in the majority of their

episodes to create feelings of discomfort and suspense that foster a satisfactory resolution to the

plot when the consequent tension is resolved. While this is a successful strategy in regards to

content popularity, using these tactics partnered with negative stereotypes about BPD causes

viewers to become fearful and disgusted with any individual who has BPD, due to their exposure

to the horrific media portrayals of the illness. Further, online media headlines that address public

figures who suffer from BPD bombard individuals with this illness with stigma and negative

attention. A website titled “Rampages” targets actress Angelina Jolie, along with many other

celebrities diagnosed with BPD. The header of the page reads, “Borderline Personality Disorder;

I hate you, don’t leave me,” and proceeds to label Jolie’s brave outreach for help as

“presumptuous,” while blaming her symptoms on a childhood the author of the page deemed

“troubled,” (Wilderkt). This portrayal of even a well known public figure uses information from

an individual’s experience with BPD as a warning to avoid others who act in a similar manner,

contributing heavily to the sense that the public should be disturbed by the behaviors or

individual.

The impact of social stigma of BPD is incredibly profound; it is important to actively

defy this stigma by raising public awareness of the actuality of living with BPD, alluding to
 Krause 5

individuals with the disorder who have been able to overcome it and lead successful lives. Often,

individuals with BPD are referred to as the “untreatable” by both the public and medical

professionals; this stigma has resulted in 30% of BPD individuals avoiding seeking out treatment

and 70% of BPD patients to drop out of their current treatment programs (Dingfelder). Despite

the detrimental effects of social stigma of BPD, the reality of living with this disorder is that

there is undoubtedly effective and successful treatment available. Dialectical Behavior Therapy

(DBT) and Cognitive Therapy (CT) are amongst the most common and successful treatment

methods for individuals with BPD; they are exactly the treatments that allowed Miami Dolphins

wide receiver Brandon Marshall to reach the “root of his struggles” and “deal with his moods

and emotions,” (“Project”). It is unacceptable for anyone to be living in shame of who they are

because of another’s misconception, especially those with BPD who suffer tremendously a fear

of abandonment and isolation. This notion inspired Brandon Marshall to “devote himself to

making a difference in the lives of others struggling to cope with [this] disorder,” by educating

the public about the illness, actively defying stigma, and posing as a figure of hope for those who

know what it is like to struggle with BPD (“Project”).

Because the stigma of BPD is constantly intensified by numerous misconceptions and

inaccurate media portrayals, it is imperative to challenge public perceptions​ ​of individuals with

the disorder to combat stigma by bringing these individuals together and instilling within them a

sense of community and hope. The greatest fear of BPD individuals is feeling isolated or being

abandoned, yet because of the stigma that surrounds their illness they are often social outcasts;

thus, creating a sense of community amongst individuals with BPD and revealing to them that

they are not alone is an essential step to challenging public perceptions of BPD by encouraging
 Krause 6

them to seek help and confide in others for support. Project Borderline, a support group

established by public figure and BPD patient Brandon Marshall, is “devoted to raising awareness

for [BPD] and helping others gain the resources [they] need to recover,” with a long term goal of

shaping a positive and supportive community for individuals with BPD and their families. The

group intends to accomplish their goal by constantly fighting stigma, reaching out to those who

are unaware of what they are suffering from, and “[bridging] the gap between patients,

clinicians, and the public,” through education (“Project”). Marshall himself has personally dealt

with the stigma around BPD, and currently travels around the country to address the importance

of challenging public perceptions and actively defying BPD stigma (“Project”). It is up to those

who are surrounded by the stigma to fight it; simply acknowledging that Borderline Personality

Disorder is ​not​ a weakness and does ​not​ define somebody as a way to combat stigma can make

all the difference in the world.

 Krause 7

Works Cited:

Allen, David M. “A Matter of Personality; Borderline Personality Disorder in the Movies.”

Psychology Today​, Sussex Publishers, 22 July 2013,

Aviram, Ron B., et al. "Borderline Personality Disorder, Stigma, and Treatment Implications."
Harvard Review of Psychiatry (Taylor & Francis Ltd)​, vol. 14, no. 5, Sep/Oct2006, pp.
249-256. EBSCO​host​, doi:10.1080/10673220600975121.

Bateman, Anthony, and Peter Fonagy. “8-Year Follow-Up of Patients Treated for Borderline
Personality Disorder: Mentalization-Based Treatment Versus Treatment as
Usual.”​American Journal of Psychiatry​, 1 May 2008,
ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp.2007.07040636.

“Borderline Personality Disorder.” ​National Institute of Mental Health​, U.S. Department of

Health and Human Services, Aug. 2016,
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder/index.shtml​.

Criminal Minds, ​“Profiler, Profiled.” Season 2, Ep. 12, 2005.

Dingfelder, Sadie F. “Treatment for the 'Untreatable'.” ​Monitor on Psychology​, American

Psychological Association, ​www.apa.org/monitor/mar04/treatment.aspx​.

“Project Borderline.” ​Brandon Marshall's Project Borderline​, 2016,

projectborderline.org/Official_Site/About_Us.html.

“The Stigma Associated with Borderline Personality Disorder.” ​National Alliance on

Mental Illness (NAMI)​, 28 June 2017,
www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/June-2017/The-Stigma-Associated-with-Borderline-P
ersonality./

Wilderkt. “Borderline Personality Disorder; I Hate You, Don't Leave Me.” ​Rampages​,
rampages.us/wilderkt/tag/angelina-jolie/.
 Krause 8

Annotated Bibliography:

Allen, David M. “A Matter of Personality; Borderline Personality Disorder in the Movies.”

Psychology Today​, Sussex Publishers, 22 July 2013,

This article is written by David M. Allen, M.D. Along with his occupation as a professor

of psychiatry at the University of Tennessee and director of psychiatric residency training

at the University of Tennessee health science center, Allen writes a medical blog that

addresses mental health, drugs and psychotherapy, and family functions in personality

disorders. Although a blog, Allen’s education and background as an educator about

personality disorders makes him a reliable source. This source contains primarily

qualitative data that addresses the stigma presented through various media platforms such

as movies, television shows, and news headlines. This information is valuable as it

provides evidence of the stigmatizing nature of various types of media, through their use

of BPD characters partnered with negative stereotypes, as well as their use of scare

tactics to exploit the characteristics of BPD individuals. Because this source focuses

heavily on the stigmatization of BPD through the media, it adequately propels the

argument at hand.

Aviram, Ron B., et al. "Borderline Personality Disorder, Stigma, and Treatment Implications."
Harvard Review of Psychiatry (Taylor & Francis Ltd)​, vol. 14, no. 5, Sep/Oct2006, pp.
249-256. EBSCO​host​, doi:10.1080/10673220600975121.

This journal is written by Ron B. Aviram, Ph. D. Dr. Aviram is a licensed clinical

psychologist and certified psychoanalyst who owns his own practice in New York City.

His treatment programs and therapies mainly target individuals or couples with
 Krause 9

relationship difficulties that stem from identity disorders such as BPD, anxiety, or

depression. Dr. Aviram has also written a book, ​The Relational Origins of Prejudice: A

Convergence of Psychoanalytic and Social Cognitive Perspective, ​that details a model of

prejudice that bridges the contributions of individual and group perspectives to the

perpetuation of stigma. Because of his experience in psychology and psychoanalysis, his

history of working closely with individuals with identity disorders such as BPD, and his

publication of a book that specifically addresses prejudice and stigma, one can conclude

that Dr. Aviram is a valid and reliable source. This source contains a nearly equal balance

of qualitative and quantitative data, however the information used to support the

argument at hand is qualitative. The focus of the article upon stigma that is exacerbated

by common misconceptions and myths proved to be valuable as it provided specific

examples of the most popular misconceptions of BPD individuals, adequately propelling

the argument at hand.

Bateman, Anthony, and Peter Fonagy. “8-Year Follow-Up of Patients Treated for Borderline
Personality Disorder: Mentalization-Based Treatment Versus Treatment as
Usual.”​American Journal of Psychiatry​, 1 May 2008,
ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp.2007.07040636.

This source was co-authored by Anthony Bateman and Peter Fonagy, both of whom run

training courses in Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) for individuals with BPD; a

treatment method that was cooperatively developed by both Bateman and Fonagy.

Bateman is a consultant psychologist and psychotherapist and has authored many other

books and journals, including ​Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder, ​and

Mentalization Based Treatment for Personality Disorders: A Practical Guide​. Fonagy

 Krause 10

has co-authored over 16 books with a focus in the field of personality disorders and has

received numerous awards and recognition from prestigious schools in both Britain and

the United States; he currently abides in London where he regularly teaches training

courses in Mentalization Based Treatment with Bateman. Because of their histories in

research dedicated to BPD and finding adequate treatment for those individuals, one may

conclude that both Bateman and Fonagy are reliable sources of information on the topic

of BPD. This source is a research trial focused on the lasting effects of MBT on BPD

patients, containing mostly quantitative data in regards to the proportions of BPD patients

receiving specific types of treatment, dropping out of their treatment programs, and

remaining in their current program with an emphasis on the success of MBT in BPD

individuals. This data is valuable as it provides evidence of effective treatment for BPD

individuals, as well as statistics that prove BPD patients are not alone in their struggle

with their illness; this data resonates with BPD individuals in that it is a platform of hope

of coping with their illness. Because of the hopeful results yielded by the data, this source

effectively propels the argument at hand.

“Borderline Personality Disorder.” ​National Institute of Mental Health​, U.S. Department of

Health and Human Services, Aug. 2016,
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder/index.shtml​.

This article, titled “Borderline Personality Disorder,” is published by NIMH, the National

Institute of Mental Health. This source is reliable and contains accurate, expert

information as it is composed of various experts in the field of mental health as well as

being a component of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. This source
 Krause 11

provides solely qualitative data presented in an informational format with the intent to

inform the audience of various aspects of living with Borderline Personality Disorder

(BPD). The source specifically addresses signs and symptoms, risk factors, treatment and

therapies, and clinical trials in regards to individuals that are living with BPD. The

subsection that addresses the signs and symptoms of BPD provides valuable data about

the illness by discussing the characteristics of BPD individuals in order of the commodity

and severity of the symptom, placing emphasis on the main inhibitors to the daily life of

an individual with BPD, and less on symptoms that are uncommon or rare. This source is

a prime supporter of the argument at hand as it depicts the truth about the effects BPD

has on the lives of individuals who experience the illness, as well as how individuals

react depending on the severity of their symptoms; this information provides a foundation

to refer to when dissecting myths in the argument at hand as they can be compared to the

facts stated in this source.

Criminal Minds, ​“Profiler, Profiled.” Season 2, Ep. 12, 2005.

This source is not reliable for research, however it was selected for its representative

qualities of the entertainment industry that largely shapes public perceptions of mental

illnesses and perpetuates stigmas. This source provides valuable examples of how the

media portrays individuals with BPD and uses scare tactics to generate a capturing plot

with disregard to the impact on the way in which society perceives the BPD community,

demonstrating the effects of clustering bias.

Dingfelder, Sadie F. “Treatment for the 'Untreatable'.” ​Monitor on Psychology​, American

Psychological Association, www.apa.org/monitor/mar04/treatment.aspx.
 Krause 12

This article is authored by Sadie F. Dingfelder, a journalist out of Washington D.C. with

a focus on sciences and current successes in the scientific field of study. Although not an

expert in the field of psychology or psychiatry, Dingfelder is known for her accurate and

unbiased coverage of new discoveries in the scientific field, making her a reliable source

of information reflected in the study of MBT and other treatments for BPD; this journal

was also specifically published by the American Psychological Association. This source

primarily contains quantitative data that is reflective of the successes and failures of

different treatment methods for BPD patients. This data is valuable as it reflects the

implications of social stigma on the BPD population as it discourages them to seek

treatment for their illness or causes them to drop out of their current treatment programs.

Because this source reveals the profound effects of stigma and public misconceptions on

individuals with BPD, it effectively propels the argument at hand.

“Project Borderline.” ​Brandon Marshall's Project Borderline​, 2016,

projectborderline.org/Official_Site/About_Us.html.

Project Borderline is a support group established by Brandon Marshall, the wide receiver

for the Miami Dolphins who suffers from BPD. His personal struggles with the

challenges and stigma of the illness inspired him to establish an environment that is safe

and supportive for others with BPD and their families. Marshall’s first hand experience

with BPD makes him an expert on the illness, along with the countless other BPD

patients, their families, and psychiatrists that are affiliated with Project Borderline and

work collaboratively to publish accurate information about BPD to educate the public.

This source contains primarily qualitative data, establishing itself as a support group for
 Krause 13

BPD patients, explaining the long and short term goals of the group, and detailing the

experiences of Marshall’s BPD that led him to create the group. The information from

this source is valuable as it reinforces the notion that BPD patients are not alone in their

struggles and exposes figures of hope to those individuals. Because Project Borderline is

leading the charge against social BPD stigma and actively reaching out to those who also

struggle with the illness, this source effectively propels the argument at hand.

“The Stigma Associated with Borderline Personality Disorder.” ​National Alliance on

Mental Illness (NAMI)​, 28 June 2017,
www.nami.org/NAMI-Blog/June-2017/The-Stigma-Associated-with-Borderline-P
ersonality./

This source, titled “The Stigma Associated with Borderline Personality Disorder,” is

published by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a group made up of

individuals who suffer from illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and

their the families, psychiatrists, and therapists. This article was selected specifically

because it addresses the most common misconceptions of individuals with BPD that lead

to augmented social stigma, as well as stereotypes of medical specialists towards BPD

patients as distinguished by the therapists and psychiatrists who treat BPD individuals.

This source contains primarily qualitative data that addresses the most common stigmas

and misconceptions of individuals with BPD. This article specifically tackles the issue of

BPD being the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed mental illnesses and myths that

BPD patients cannot be treated because they are resistant to treatment. This article is an

adequate supporting source of the argument at hand as it reveals the stigma around BPD

and the disturbing fact that myths and misconceptions about individuals with BPD have
 Krause 14

infiltrated as far as the medical field of professionals who are expected to care for these

individuals.

Wilderkt. “Borderline Personality Disorder; I Hate You, Don't Leave Me.” ​Rampages​,
rampages.us/wilderkt/tag/angelina-jolie/.

This website is not a reliable source for research, however it was chosen specifically to

expose the perpetuation of misconceptions and myths about individuals with BPD that

takes place in the media. This site targets popular public figures and exploits their

experiences with mental illnesses through harsh and degrading headlines. The website

further develops these ideas in a blog format, shaming the individuals who suffer from

BPD and ultimately reinforcing the negative stereotypes that exist in regards to the

illness. This source is valuable to the argument at hand as it provides proof of the

stigmatization of BPD that occurs through online media headlines.