written by: Jen Harris

No matter how much we try it seems there will always be stereotypes and myths about borderline personality disorder. But here is a quick look at some of the myths out there, they are all false! Hopefully as we continue to promote awareness people can see the reality and not the myth…

#1 People with BPD are manipulative

On the outside it may appear that borderlines are deliberately trying to manipulate the people around them. When in reality, manipulation is often the consequence of a behavior or action, it is not the actual reason for the behavior. Borderlines are always looking for a form of release from intense emotional pain and the manipulation and often destruction within relationships is a consequence, not a reason.

#2 People who self-harm probably have BPD or people with BPD self-harm for attention

Similar to Myth #1, people with BPD are always looking for a release from emotional pain and their actions can be misinterpreted as manipulation or attention seeking. Also, self-harm behaviors are only one criteria of NINE in diagnosis of BPD, not all borderlines self injure and not all people who self injure are borderline.

#3 BPD is not a real mental illness, just a personality problem

Borderline Personality Disorder is recognized by the DSM, the bible for all doctors and clinicians in the mental health field. BPD has biological, genetic, and environmental causes with specific criteria for diagnosis and treatment.

#4 BPD is caused by childhood abuse/trauma

There appears to be a positive correlation between childhood trauma and/or abuse and BPD but not all people with BPD have been abused and not all people who have a childhood trauma or experienced abuse are borderline. BPD is a combination of a genetic predisposition, biological, and environmental causes.

#5 BPD is not treatable

There are many different treatments available for people with BPD and we continue to promote awareness within the mental health community. DBT (dialectical behavior therapy) and CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) are the more widely used methods of treatment as well as talk therapy and sometimes medication. Studies have even shown that many people with BPD experience fewer symptoms with aging, the most intense symptoms occurring during their 20s and then begin to dissipate with aging.

Bonus Myth! If you know one borderline, you know them all

There are 9 separate criteria for BPD, 5 of which must be met for diagnosis, that means there are 256 possible combinations of symptoms. Although most borderlines can relate to similar experiences, each symptom is experienced differently. BPD cannot be a catch-all for negative personality traits, BPD traits are specific (yet broad!) and are treatable.