Buddha & The Borderline: My Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder Through Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Buddhism, & Online Dating

This book's incredible. The author is really honest and talks about her own experience with borderline personality disorder. She talks about the day-to-day challenges of having intense emotions that are hard to control and even harder to predict. Like many people with BPD, when she got her diagnosis it felt like she was finally understood. This book talks about her experience with treatment including dialectical behavioural therapy, and she gives a really good outline of what this therapy involves and how, ideally, it should be delivered. The book is really easy to read, although very painful in parts. I feel like I went on a journey with Keira, through all the ups and downs and the confusion that BPD can bring. When Keira talks about Buddhism, she explains a lot of the philosophical concepts really well, she keeps things really simple, and highlights the similarities between Buddhist philosophy and DBT. This book is not only a memoir, but an introduction to both DBT and Buddhist philosophy. It's emotional, educational and inspiring. I wish there was more by this author available.

This book was my gateway into Buddhism. I was skeptical about the testimonials at first, but it's unflinching and, ultimately, inspiring. The references are excellent as well. I've picked up almost all of the referenced Buddhist books. I'd recommend this to anyone who struggles managing emotions, borderline or not.

As someone recently diagnosed, this was the first book I read due to a recommendation by a friend who has BPD. Please note: This book is about someone at the upper end of the BPD spectrum who self harms and has a history of sexual abuse. I smiled at one review that described it as a cross between Girl, Interrupted and Bridget Jone's Diary! The Good: It is easy/quick to read and the right balance of understanding BPD (from diagnosis to treatment) through a memoir which makes it relatable and gives the book a story to follow. I am female and the book is about a female which also helped me relate. I found it extremely therapeutic simply because I felt understood for the first time in my life. The emotions, thoughts, feelings...the accuracy of the descriptions... almost gave me a Eurika moment! Validation of someone's (often hard to understand) emotions and behaviours is a corner-stone in recovery and this book helped me feel validated. My Mum has since read it and also found it helpful. However: The book is a memoir - therefore everything in it is true for Kera Van Gelder the author. May seem like stating the obvious but, the book is not all true for anyone with BPD. Some of her behaviour may be disturbing for some people to read. It would be nice for her to explain more about BPD traits and the fact that like everything else there is a spectrum of how much the disorder affects individuals. The author has a history of sexual abuse which not everyone with BPD has. This book is about someone at the upper level of the BPD spectrum. She also seems to always need to be in a group of some form or another - this is not a criticism but I noticed she never seems to find peace as an individual who for example lives alone.

Like how author finds exact words to describe the experience. Also the persistence to heal amidst smoke. Would recommend even if you don’t have the disorder.

I am diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and have read quite a few books. This is by far the very best read. It is poignant and dryly funny in places. It is very deep and very written. It was such a page turner I did not want it to end. Every word she says, I can feel deeply. You must read this if you suffer....you will feel like you are not alone..FANTASTIC READ

As a newly diagnosed BPD sufferer this book was incredible for me, it was so good that I couldn't put it down! It was the perfect balance of a compelling story of her life, mixed with lots of psychological insight and information as you go through her therapy journey. Was very well written, honest and refreshing. The only downside was the ending (depending on how you look at it)...I won't ruin it. Definitely recommend this book though.

There are many useful books on BPD but they are generally written from the point of view of the clinician and often aimed at the family members of those with BPD rather than those with the condition. This book is very different - it is written for those with BPD, by someone who has been there. Reading about the author's struggles and recovery is hopeful and inspiring. I would recommend this book to anyone with BPD or anyone who wants an 'insiders view' into the condition.

If you have BPD read this!! I was able to relate to soooo much and even made me revisit some of my work with DBT was very helpful. If you live with someone with BPD read this!! You will have some understanding of what they have to live with on a day to day basis and how our emotions control our lives. The DBT work is also good as relatives and loved ones are not invited to take part in the teaching of these skills. So here is a chance to learn.

Over the past year, I have purchased quite a few books about BPD, especially the ones geared towards the partners/family members. This book, for a change, was the only one I read actually written by a person with bpd, as opposed to clinicians or those who left (or were left) a relationship. Ms. Van Gelder is witty, articulate, fiery, emotional, funny, entertaining, and real. Reading this memoir was truly a breath of fresh air. I found the book very informative about BPD and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). Up until about a year ago, I barely knew this condition existed. And, as a non-sufferer, I could only be an observer and try to make sense of the things that were happening in my life and interactions with a loved one with bpd. I could see the actions (shutting down, breaking up, impulsiveness) but I had no idea of the logic, rationale, motivation or emotions behind it. For example, in Chapter 24 (Reversal), she breaks off her engagement suddenly and with no warning- the book delves into her thoughts, feelings, inner turmoil, fears of engulfment,even conversations with her therapist discussing her decision. It was also extremely interesting reading about her journey through DBT and her experiences in class, as well as the thoughts and emotions it triggered. While most information on DBT and BPD is rather dry and somewhat clinical, Ms. Van Gelder makes it come alive, and we see how she uses it in daily life. It's easy to surf the web and gloss over the skills of DBT- but reading Ms. Van Gelder's experience made it much more understandable to me. But the book isn't necessarily just about bpd, nor just her treatment. It shows the author as a multi-faceted, three dimensional, real person. Someone with likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, hang-ups and flaws- much like all of us. It shows us her strength and perseverance, and her determination to get treatment and get into recovery. It shows her willingness to try different avenues and to keep searching-- not just mastery of skills, but truly having a "life worth living", as the author frequently quotes. It was remarkable seeing the change in her coping skills, and her life, throughout the book. I found myself internally cheering her on with each new obstacle she tackled. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. Ms. Van Gelder is an entertaining, engaging writer, and it's hard to put this book down. More importantly, it gave me new perspective of, compassion to, those with bpd.

Narrativa excelente.

Hilfreich

I appreciate seeing borderline personality from a real perspective. Well written

This is one of the rare books I found giving insights into the reality of what live's like with a BPD. It's written in an easy to read, and even amusing fashion. Thus it gives very precise information about the subject and can help anyone to get a somewhat clear view about a difficult topic. I haven't finished yet but I feel the urge to recommend it to anyone concerned, as a patient or as a relative of a BPD. Keep hoping : You can get well !