BPD BOOK UPDATE

The research and direction the book is taking was finalized many months ago and the fingers are typing as fast as they can. The book is being written in "layman's" language with a minimal amount of medical/technical information, although many references will be quoted. The goal of the book is to the DSM criteria of Borderline Personality Disorder to day-to-day actual experiences. It discusses situations that many of us have had to deal with on a daily basis and is supported by e-mails, letters, cards and transcripts from real situations. A proof reader asked me "did that really happen like that" and with a touch of embarrassment and some disappointment I answered "Yes". The book has yet to be given a title and this is due to the uniqueness in its design as it may need two titles. The book will also provide some basic skills to assist in dealing with BPD situations and will also touch on a few recovery techniques. If you would like to be involved in the book please send your confidential information to Site Owner. Again I state, I give you my personal guarantee that any information supplied will not be used in any way without your prior written consent.

Nov 2003

BORDELINE PERSONAILTY DISORDER - AUSSIE STYLE

Australia not only lacks general information in relation to Borderline Personality Disorder it also lacks Australian books on how it affects us here and more importantly how we as an Australian Society deal with this disorder.

Many hours have already gone in to the planning stage of documenting the goals and direction of the book as well as the way in which it will be written. This will not be a 'technical read', it will be more a 'chat about your experience with BPD'. It will be written with the professional guidance of an experienced Psychologist and Psychotherapist who both have over 5 years experience treating patients who have come in contact with BPD.

Although we already have100 (approx) pages of notes and scribbles on the board it is still in its infancy stage but it is starting to take some shape. A lot of people keep day-to-day journals/diaries of their experiences with this disorder and I would love to hear from you on experiences and situations that you would like to share. Some have created a mini story themselves where they have collated all their journal entries, e-mails, notes on phone conversations, letters, etc. I gladly invite you to be part of this book by sharing your story and experiences:

People diagnosed with BPD

• When did you first know something was different?
• When were you diagnosed?
• What were you first diagnosed as having?
• What treatment was first proposed?
• Were you be told about the diagnosis (or not)?
• Were you placed on medications?
• Was it easy to find professional help?
• What support did you have?
• What you have felt and experienced?
• How has your day-to-day life been?
• How it affected you on a daily basis?
• What you have had to deal with as a BP?
• How you dealt with BPD?
• Situations you had to deal with?
• Emotions you have had to deal with?
• Situations that you never understood?
• What worked?
• What didn't?
• What treatment have you had?
• What were difficult stages of dealing with BPD?
• How friends/family/partners reacted?
• Relationship between yourself and family/partners?
• Any issues of legal, custody, divorce, break ups?
• Relationship issues?
• Funny stories
• Journal entries, e-mails, letters, poems
• Your thoughts/comments
• What else can be done to assist people with this disorder?

Family/Partners of someone with BPD

• When did you first know something was wrong?
• Have you required any treatment/medication?
• Did the BP go to treatment and take medications?
• Did you find the required professional assistance?
• How did you know the person you're dating has BPD?
• How long between knowing something was wrong and hearing about BPD?
• What problems you encountered, if any?
• What were difficult stages of dealing with BPD?
• How has it affected your day-to-day life?
• Situations you had to deal with?
• Emotions you have had to deal with?
• Situations that you never understood?
• What worked? What didn't?
• What DSM criteria did your family member/partner meet?
• Any issues of legal, custody, divorce, break ups?
• Knowing more about BPD now, would you handle things differently?
• Funny stories
• What else can be done to assist people who love and care for someone with this disorder?
• What would you like others in a similar situation to you to know?
• Additional thoughts/comments

I encourage you to be part of this book and I give you my personal guarantee that any information supplied with not be used in any way without your prior written consent. Send your confidential information to Site Owner.

Thank you for being part of this project. It is still a long, long, long way off but I will provide you with up-to-date progress reports as often as I can.

April 2001