On the Borderline (Part Two)

This episode is a continuation of our discussion on Borderline Personality Disorder, which is a pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts. Whereas in Episode 26 — On the Borderline, we concern ourselves with the defining BPD, and getting our heads around the diagnostic criteria in the DSM V, in this episode we discuss treatment and causes of the disorder, as well as considerations around its social construction. It should be remembered that a diagnosis of a personality disorder like “borderline” says a lot about the society in which the diagnosis was developed. Keep in mind, these disorders are “decided upon” rather than “discovered”. And though they are certainly pointing towards something, they must be understood as constructions, born of particular social, historical, economic, and political factors.

References

• Bjorklund, P., 2006. No man's land: Gender bias and social constructivism in the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. Issues in mental health nursing, 27(1), pp.3-23. (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01612840500312753)
• James ‘Fish’ Gill: https://www.instagram.com/james_fish_gill/ // Buy Fish’s new book: How To Fall In Love With Humanity
• Johnstone, Lucy & Boyle, Mary & Cromby, John & Dillon, Jacqui & Harper, David & Kinderman, Peter & Longden, Eleanor & Pilgrim, David & Read, John. (2019). Reflections on responses to the Power Threat Meaning Framework one year on. Clinical Psychology Forum. 2019. 47-54. (https://explore.bps.org.uk/content/bpscpf/1/313/47)
• Stanley Kubrick (1987) Full Metal Jacket
• Cracked: Why Psychiatry is Doing More Harm Than Good (2013) written by James Davies
• Altered Mates — Episode 16 — On “Cracked: Why Psychiatry is Doing More Harm Than Good
• Lester, R. (2013). Lessons from the borderline: Anthropology, psychiatry, and the risks of being human. Feminism & Psychology. 23. 70-77. (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0959353512467969)
• IFS Institute — The Internal Family Systems Model Outline

Links

Altered Mates Website

Altered Mates Instagram

Music for the show by Si Mulumby

A Glimpse of Eternity by Alejandro Tuama

• Purchase the novel here (hard copy, ebook and audiobook).
• Listen to the free serialised audiobook here.