Nine Haikus for National Poetry Day
I'm Rosie, a Mind Media Award winning blogger and writer sharing my life with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD).
BPD is one of the most stigmatised mental health diagnoses— but you probably don't need me to tell you that! If you have this diagnosis (or relate to it) then you probably feel the stigma.
Perhaps you feel it through unfair labels such as as 'manipulative', 'dramatic' or 'attention seeking'. Maybe it's experienced as a lack of warmth, or even harshness, experienced when seeking help from professionals. Or perhaps it's felt most strongly in the struggle to have your difficulties acknowledged as real and be offered relevant, high-quality support.
Not only highly stigmatised, BPD is also one of the most contested and contentious psychiatric diagnoses. Whilst I have many (often conflicting) feelings about BPD, one thing I do know is... I never want anyone to feel as alone, ashamed and unworthy of care as I once did. Things need to change— and fast.
This is what motivates me to keep Talking About BPD.
'I am Rosie. I have BPD. I'm not an attention seeker, manipulative, dangerous, hopeless, unlovable, 'broken', 'difficult to reach' or 'unwilling to engage'. I am caring, creative courageous, determined, full of life and love.'
Talking About BPD: A Stigma-Free Guide to a Calmer, Happier Life with Borderline Personality Disorder combines my experiences of living with BPD with DBT-based coping tips. The book is available worldwide via all the usual booksellers or direct from the publisher, JKP. It's available in three formats: paperback, Kindle and audiobook (read by me!).
Talking About BPD: A Stigma Free Guide was written for anyone who relates to this diagnosis, especially those who are feeling ashamed, lost or alone. The book has received countless glowing reviews with readers praising it as 'like a good friend' and 'the book I needed'.