Product Description
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) lags far behind other disorders such as schizophrenia in terms of research and treatment interventions. Ongoing debates about diagnosis, etiology, neurobiology, genetics, mediation, and treatment still persist. Borderline Personality Disorder: Meeting the Challenges to Successful Treatment brings together over two dozen of the field's leading experts in one enlightening text that offers providers a view of BPD from the sufferers themselves as a way to understand the experiences of family members who are often devastated by their relatives' struggles with this common disorder. This useful text also features handy worksheets and numerous tables to clearly illustrate pertinent information. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Deeply Appreciate Dr. Hoffman's Work
I am deeply grateful for Dr. Hoffman's work in bringing together the top experts and research and for her tireless efforts in educating clinicians, family members and consumers about Borderline Personality Disorder.

Tami Green
www.borderlinepersonalitysupport.com

Self Help for Managing the Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder

BPDTreatment Guide Excellent for Social Workers
As a family member with a loved one diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and an active advocate for appropriate treatment for BPD, I highly recommend this book to all professionals interested in the disorder.My family has experienced exceptional service by those in the field of social work and this book is tailor-made as a guide for those therapists who want to expand their knowledge of effective treatment for BPD. ... Read more

Product Description
"A superb, up-to-date feminist analysis of the borderline condition. . . . Characterized by stereotypically feminine qualities, such as poor interpersonal boundaries and an unstable sense of self, borderline diagnosis has been questioned by many as a veiled replacement of the hysteria diagnosis. . . . Wirth-Cauchon includes narratives from women exhibiting the theoretical underpinnings of the borderline diagnosis. . . . The author is rigorous in her analysis, and mainstream academics and diagnosticians should take note lest they create yet another label that disregards the contradictory and conflicting expectations experienced by so many women. Includes an excellent bibliography and a wealth of good reference. Highly recommended."-Choice"This book contributes to a rich, feminist interdisciplinary theoretical understanding of women's psychological distress, and represents an excellent companion volume to Dana Becker's book titled Through the Looking Glass."-Psychology of Women Quarterly"Wonderfully written. . . . [The] argument proceeds with an impeccable and transparent logic, the writing is sophisticated, evocative, even inspired. This work should have enormous appeal."- Kenneth Gergen, author of Realities and Relationships "Impressive in its synthesis of many different ideas . . . both clinicians and people diagnosed with BPD may find much of value in Wirth-Cauchon's thoughtful and provoking analysis."-MetapsychologyAt the beginning of the twentieth century, "hysteria" as a medical or psychiatric diagnosis was primarily applied to women. In fact, the term itself comes from the Greek, meaning "wandering womb." We have since learned that this diagnosis had evolved from certain assumptions about women's social roles and mental characteristics, and is no longer in use. The modern equivalent of hysteria, however, may be borderline personality disorder, defined as "a pervasive pattern of instability of self-image, interpersonal relationships, and mood, beginning in early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts." This diagnosis is applied to women so much more often than to men that feminists have begun to raise important questions about the social, cultural, and even the medical assumptions underlying this "illness." Women are said to be "unstable" when they may be trying to reconcile often contradictory and conflicting social expectations.In Women and Borderline Personality Disorder, Janet Wirth-Cauchon presents a feminist cultural analysis of the notions of "unstable" selfhood found in case narratives of women diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. This exploration of contemporary post-Freudian psychoanalytic notions of the self as they apply to women's identity conflicts is an important contribution to the literature on social constructions of mental illness in women and feminist critiques of psychiatry in general.Janet Wirth-Cauchon is an associate professor of sociology at Drake University. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Not a self-help, "information" book. . .
All the previous reviewers hated this book, and while I can see some of their points, I think they approach the book expecting it to be a "how to" guide for the disorder.It is definitely not.The author intends it to be a discussion of how the diagnosis originated and how these presupositions still guide, knowingly and unknowingly, the diagnosis's conceptualization.These are valid issues for acadamics (not nearly as dirty a word as what the first reviewer insinuates) as well as mental health clinicians.The diagnosis is not as definitive or helpful as what people think, and framing it in a more feminist light helps remove some of the pejorative connotations within the field.

An Unfortunate Deliverance of Academe
The rating is somewhat misleading.This book deserves no stars at all.

This book is one of many unfortunate products of a small portion of the academic community that has isolated itself from an academic world generally dedicated to argument, reason, evidence, and truth.The book displays little evidence for a consideration, let alone a tolerance, for the truth, but in its stead offers a fantasy tale about a horrible illness that grips so many within our society.

As is so tiresomely typical of these sorts of texts, we are fed a weary history of old practices concerning mental illness (yes indeed, there was ignorance back then), with absolute ignorance concerning current research (please folks, get up to date), coupled with loose metaphoric fantasia substituting for any reasoned argument.To offer one example (a prominent one in the book), scattered references to a "flood" or a "torrent" of emotion taken from selected sources in the field is somehow translated into references to the menstrual cycle in women.The "somehow" is impossible to discern.I would not recommend readers to attempt to decipher any logical steps to the conclusion.

It is a sad fact that this comes out of academe.And it is harmful.People who have BPD or who are the loved ones of BPDs need information, not feminist fantasies.For any who wishes information I would recommend "Borderline Personality Disorder Demystified," by Robert Friedel.

For the record, I am an academic in the field of Philosophy, and I have a loved one who is suffering from BPD.

Not Recommeneded
This book is not recommended for the average reader who just seeks information about borderline personality disorder. In fact, it is loaded with abstract erudition, it is hard to read, the information is often redundant,and it takes on a feminist approach in explaining the pathology.

boring, too technical
I have read a number of books on depression and Borderline Personality Disorder.This is by far the worst; it was all I could do to finish it.It is very technical, hard to read, and boring, repeating itself repeatedly :)I wouldn't recommend it - there are a lot of better books out there on the subject (like Lost in the Mirror). ... Read more

Product Description
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a diagnosis given to ten percent of all those seen in outpatient mental health facilities and twenty percent of those seen in inpatient psychiatric units. This is a significant number of people in the Western world. However, many of the core concepts and symptoms that underlie this diagnosis are questionable. Many of the attitudes and actions of carers are based on assumptions about those with BPD that cry out for analysis, with both cultural and gender norms interacting with clinical diagnosis and treatment, to the detriment of both carers and patients.

This book considers how we diagnose BPD, looking at the key constructs: idendity disturbance, inappropriate or excessive anger, unstable relationships, impulsivity, self-injurious behaviour, and manipulativity. It starts by looking at the cultural and gender assumptions and norms behind BPD, drawing upon philosophical, clinical, anthropological, and sociological literature. Combining philosophical analysis with clinical experience and patients' writings, it clarifies the constructs so that the reader can understand the messiness and complexity that frames this diagnosis and treatment. After examining the current state of these constructs and their effects on carer/patient interactions. Part II sees an application of virtue theory to therapeutic treatment with BPD patients. It looks at three virtues that are particularly important for clinicians and other carers to cultivate when working with BPD patients: trustworthiness; the virtue of giving uptake, and empathy. It argues that, in their absence, not only are clinicians' attitudes harmful to patients, but also that the status of the diagnosis is actually compromised.

Mapping the Edges and the In-Between presents a compelling argument that Borderline Personality Disorder needs to be approached in a new light--one that will benefit patients. ... Read more

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University of Toronto, Canada. Report of the results of a six-year treatment comparison trial between interpersonal group psychotherapy (IGP) for borderline personality disorder and individual treatment as usual. For psychotherapists and psychiatrists. ... Read more

Product Description
A comprehensive introduction to this complicated psychiatric illness presents the disorder from psychoanalytical, biological, historical, social, and feminist perspectives, while identifying the cause of, and possible medical responses to, imbroglio. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A comprehensive overview of current thinking on BPD
This book is the one I finally bought for myself out of all the current books on the subject.It successfully walks a fine line between being too overly "popular" in nature to be useful and too achademiclyoriented to be readable. At 400 pages it is not a casual read. Be ready foroccasionally dense and often contrary insights from most of the "bigthinkers" in the field. Perhaps not the first book you should buy onthis subject but a highly recomended next step for any person desiring toextend their knowledge beyond the level of what is in the generallyrecomended popular books on this still mysterious subject.

I was hoping for an authoritative account of BPD
This book is probably a good introduction to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) for someone who is first reading about this disorder.Personally, I was looking for something a little more rigorous andauthoritative.The author admits to having no special expertise in thesubject, but has interviewed experts and others to arrive at herunderstanding of BPD.If you're looking for a top-notch, clear andunderstandable discussion of BPD, I would recommend Marsha Linehan's"Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Borderline PersonalityDisorder." It offers an expertly written account by someone who isactively treating borderline patients and is on the cutting edge of thecurrent scientific research on BPD.

Excellent Comprehensive Book
I am the webowner of "Borderline Personality Disorder Today." This book has everything you always wanted to know about borderline personality disorder regarding the basics of the BPD in this book. Includes different views of etiology and treatment. Discusses what the person with BPD experiences. Very informative for folks with BPD, families and clinicians. Highly recommended.

A BPDs best friend.
Having been diagnosed with BPD, I found this book helpful in many ways.It helped me to see what other's were seeing in my actions.It helped me know that I "wasn't crazy."It helped me to see how I could help those near me to help and understand me, and my illness.For other's with this diagnosis, I do want to add that some of the testimonies can hit a little too close to home.

Mental Health Politics
While difficult to read at times, Ms. Cauwels portrays withdignity and humility the suffering of those with borderlinepersonality disorder.This suffering is accompanied by courageous striving of the ill to educate their environment to the whims of their disorder.The vagarities of the policies and politics of the DSM and the disdain of some "professionals" for the perspective of patients and writer alike is intriguing and dismaying.Highly recommended for patients (consumers), their families, and open-minded mental health professionals. ... Read more

Product Description
McGill University, Quebec, Canada. Reference for psychiatrists on the etiology, outcome, and treatment of borderline personality disorder. Reviews current research and presents treatment options incorporating the author's view of a multi-part etiology. ... Read more

Product Description
Object relations theory has been useful in understanding borderline personality disorder, and from this theoretical orientation have emerged effective approaches to its treatment.However, treatment based on the object relations model has tended to emphasize only the structural and technical facets of the psychotherapy enterprise, i.e., the frame of therapy, therapeutic neutrality, and interventions strategies, etc.In Another Chance to Be Real, Donald and Deanda Roberts argue that the incorporation of attachment theory and research enhances the effectiveness of treatment by expanding the clinical focus to include relational and process factors. ... Read more

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Text for mental health professionals in private practice, outpatient clinics, or inpatient facilities presenting a model of cost efficient borderline personality disorder therapy. DNLM: Borderline Personality Disorder - therapy. ... Read more

Product Description
Biological and Neurobehavioral Studies of Borderline Personality Disorder is the first book to examine exclusively the biological and neurobehavioral aspects of borderline personality disorder. It provides an overview of current research trends in this area and reviews a wide range of studies employing such sophisticated techniques as pharmacological probes, structural and functional brain imaging, and neuropsychological tests.Separate chapters explore the biological underpinnings of dimensions of psychopathology frequently found among borderline patients: impulsivity, aggression, affective lability, depression, panic and/or anxiety states, neurological dysfunction, self-injurious behavior, substance abuse, and transient dissociative phenomena. Also examined are the relationships of borderline personality disorder to Axis-20I affective, schizophrenic, and impulsive spectrum disorders; anxiety and panic disorders; early abuse, limbic system dysfunction, and posttraumatic stress disorder; attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and some types of traumatic brain injury; other disorders characterized by behavioral or cognitive dyscontrol (e.g., eating disorders, obsessional disorders); and substance abuse disorders.The final chapters examine the implications of these studies for clinicians' evaluation, care, and pharmacotherapeutic treatment of their borderline patients and reflect on the future course of biological and neurobehavioral research in borderline personality disorder. ... Read more

Product Description
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness characterized by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behavior. This instability often disrupts family and work life, long-term planning, and the individual's sense of self-identity. Originally thought to be at the 'borderline' of psychosis, people with BPD suffer from a disorder of emotion regulation. While less well known than schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), BPD is more common, affecting 2 percent of adults, mostly young women. This new book presents the latest new research in the field. ... Read more

Product Description
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness characterized by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behavior. This instability often disrupts family and work life, long-term planning, and the individual's sense of self-identity. Originally thought to be at the 'borderline' of psychosis, people with BPD suffer from a disorder of emotion regulation. While less well known than schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), BPD is more common, affecting 2 percent of adults, mostly young women. This new book presents the latest new research in the field. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

borderline personality disorder guide for therapists
I had read this book over 5 years ago when I worked in mental health.At that time the service was having difficulty dealing with people who have a Borderline Personality Disorder and held the misguided belief that only long term intensive treatment would help these people.
This book showed otherwise - it has a good explanation of the causes and symtoms of BPD and it also has some very good practical suggestions on how to manage some of the chaotic behaviours as a therapist.I have used some of the activities and they have worked very well, particularly the 60 seconds reality check.
I think it is an easy read, easy to understand, informative book for anyone who is working with the challenging behaviours of a person with BPD.Shorter Term Treatments for Borderline Personality Disorders (Best Practices for Therapy)

Excellent, informative and realistic book
I am the webowner of the site "Borderline Personality Disorder Today." This is a book written primarily for clinicians but I alsofeel BPDs can learn from it. Initially, he presents a very importantproblem in treating BPDs. One that I have always felt. When discussing longterm therapy, he states "..I suspect that only a tiny percent ofborderline patients can afford such treatment." Also discussed are thelimitations that some HMOs have that prevent treating the BPD. He alsostates "Borderline patients are often so dysfunctional that they donot have the ability to earn a good income and/or they experiencesignificant occupational instability...The bottom line is this: Thesepeople who suffer so much cannot afford long term treatment..." Hediscusses BPD symptomology, therapeutic strategies and even discusses howthe limbic system in the brain is damaged and how medication can help. Irecommend this book to clinicians, borderlines and families.

Realistic Treatment Strategies
Most books addressing the treatment of borderline personality disorder recommend intensive treatment. Let's get real. People with this type of disorder suffer tremendously and lead chaotic lives. One manifestation ofthe chaos is unstable employment and marginal incomes. For 99% ofborderline people, long term, intensive treatment is financiallyunrealistic. This book discusses practical approaches primarily drawn fromcognitive behavioral therapy and psychopharmacology that are reasonablealternatives in treating this very difficult group of clients. The author'suse of the concept "shorter term" refers to weekly psychotherapylasting from 3-12 months. This book is well written, clear, and practical. ... Read more

Product Description
Borderline Personality Disorder patients are impulsive, unstable and destructive, hurting themselves and those around them, including those who seek to help them. This has resulted in a widespread reluctance to treat them and a pessimism about treatment. In the experience of the authors this pessimism is unjustified, because for many patients a relatively brief intervention can be effective in cost-benefit terms as well as human terms. The interventions illustrated here have been used to treat outpatients for 15 years. The results indicate that treatments can achieve clinically significant changes in the course of 16–24 sessions, in a substantial proportion of patients. While CAT shares some ideas and methods with other approaches, it introduces many new features and is uniquely integrated at both the theoretical and practical level. The early joint reformulation of patients problems serves to contain destructiveness and to create a working alliance. Also, the use of reformulation to teach self-reflection and avoid collusive responses from the therapist, throughout the therapy, represents a powerful new technique. The book offers a critical appraisal of current ideas and practices, contrasting with these the ways in which CAT mobilizes the patients own resources. The authors argue that CAT should have a place in any service seeking to help these difficult patients. From a review of Cognitive Analytic Therapy: Developments in Theory and Practice (Anthony Ryle (Editor), 1995): "Ryle is surely the most original, productive and interesting writer in psychotherapy in Britain today, and CAT is a remarkable systematizing achievement which deserves to be better known on the other side of the Atlantic … This book documenting CATs recent theoretical and practical developments is a must for anyone interested in CAT itself and in integrative approaches, for those interested in brief, psychodynamically informed therapy, or indeed for those interested in developments in psychology generally." Robert Rentoul, British Journal of Medical Psychology ... Read more

Product Description
Personality disorder research has shown unprecedented and exciting expansion over the past 15years. Leading the way have been the groundbreaking theories of a few noted authorities, each of whom has left his or her own indelible stamp on the body of knowledge in the area. A uniquely informative resource, this volume assembles under one cover the major theories of personality disorders, presented in comprehensive detail by the theorists themselves.
... Read more

Product Description
Health Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Provides an accessible and practical summary of treatment options for clinical management and treatment for borderline personality disorder. Discusses history of treatment, epidemiology, etiology, current research, and more. Also addresses the legal issues involved. For psychiatrists. Softcover. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Clarity for a Complicated Subject
Krawitz and Watson provide us with a concise volume about one of psychiatry's more troubling disorders. After reading the text, I was left wanting more as their writing is clear, thoughtful, and insightful. They present the disorder in a manner that makes this text accessible to many members of the healthcare team, rather than to physicians alone as some texts do. Nurses and therapists will readily appreciate the way the information is presented and will take away much from the text. I wish this book had been available when I was a nursing student. It would have saved me the "trial by fire" experience I had when I worked with my first patient with borderline personality disorder.

... Read more

Product Description
In March 2001, the National Institutes of Health issued the following warning: "The number of Web sites offering health-related resources grows every day. Many sites provide valuable information, while others may have information that is unreliable or misleading."Furthermore, because of the rapid increase in Internet-based information, many hours can be wasted searching, selecting, and printing.This book was created for medical professionals, students, and members of the general public who want to conduct medical research using the most advanced tools available and spending the least amount of time doing so. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Book is a big disappointment.
This book is mostly a list of articles and stuff the author found on the Internet. Since this book was published in 2003, it does not contain the most recent and up-to-date information.You are probably better off doing a search on a scholarly database to find the most recent information. ... Read more

Product Description
Aims to illustrate the methodological approaches that have been employed to address etiologic hypotheses related to borderline personality disorder. The book details recent research in this area and outlines how these studies can provide a foundation for future research. ... Read more