Finally!! - A book everyone can understand!!
Dr. Heller has written a book that gives a better description of Borderline Personality Disorder than I have read anywhere. I don't agree with his choice of medications, and this made the book hard for me to read initially.
I have always felt that I was a prisoner of this terrible "disease." I've read books on BPD and I didn't think I could change the way I feel. These books were just to help me understand my disorder and help my loved ones "deal with me.
This book puts BPD in terms of a - physical - as well as a mental disorder. I think this description is something everyone who reads the book can empathize with.
This information made me feel so much more comfortable with myself. I feel I have more control now that I know what is wrong. The people in my life are more willing to help me overcome this disorder now that they can see for themselves a clearly defined physical problem, where it is, and what it's causes are.
They still may not understand what I feel or experience, but they know there is a real problem and they are willing to support me. I know I can overcome this problem using the many excellent suggestions and exercises in this book.
I am not "powerless" anymore.
"Amy from Texas"
gave a 5 star rating
"The evidence suggests that this disorder is medical/neurological with psychological ramifications. The approach developed by Dr. Heller has been remarkably helpful with borderline patients...
With the introduction of effective medications, psychotherapy time is shortened significantly, and the opportunities for therapeutic success are greatly enhanced. Patients and their families can live a more peaceful existence as the borderline goes through recovery."
Rosanna Hanley, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
"From as far back as I can remember, I have lived my life in emotional pain, chaos, in and out of relationships, jobs, apartments, etc. I was diagnosed with having borderline personality disorder (BPD) eight years ago. Since then, I have taken every measure possible to improve my life. Nothing worked. In fact, things only got worse.
It wasn’t until I discovered the book "Life at the Border: Understanding and Recovering from the Borderline Personality Disorder" and the man behind the book via the Net, that my life changed dramatically for the better.
No longer do I meet the criteria for BPD, but live a quiet stable existence. My moods are stable. I no longer rage or feel out of control.
Everyone around me has noticed a profound difference in me and even my father has recently stated "Patty is back!"
I used to think BPD was only a mental illness, and/or a psychological problem. What never had occurred to me before, was that my brain was injured and needed to be fixed as well.
I wish I would have discovered this book years ago."
Patty Johnson MSW
Webowner of Borderline
Personality Disorder Sanctuary
"Heller is a primary physician; his residency training, however, strongly emphasized psychology and the behavioral sciences. In 1988, he began treating patients medically for depression. When one of his patients had BPD, Heller decided to learn all he could about the disorder. He wrote this book at the request of many of his patients.
Heller classifies BPD as primarily a medical illness - a malfunction in the brain's biochemistry. The book describes Heller's treatment approach, which combines medications with other therapeutic strategies. The book's greatest strength is Heller's ability to simplify complex information, as well as his sensitive, empathetic, healing, and compassionate tone."
Randi Kreger
Co-author of "Stop Walking on Eggshells: Taking
Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder
