- Why The Word “Borderline”?
QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
All this time I thought I was just angry about my messed-up childhood – had fear of abandonment because of my distant father – had guilt because of the people I had hurt – shyness and low self-esteem because of my parents and peers, who were very critical and teased me – and depressed because of my past and/or chemical imbalance.
I came upon this BPD site and many of the characteristics of BPD people are similar to mine…Does that mean I have BPD? Why the word ‘borderline’? Does it mean BPD’s are not full-fledged mentally ill?
Thanks!
ANSWER:
What you described may or may not mean the BPD is present. The official criteria will help you to determine if it fits you. The name borderline came from the observation that individuals with the BPD can become psychotic too easily (psychotic means misinterpreting reality). The most common form of psychosis is paranoia – misinterpreting motives as potentially hurtful. Because of this, borderlines are said to live “at the border” between psychosis and reality. The BPD is clearly a “mentally ill” diagnosis. Those with the BPD can live incredibly productive, happy lives with the right combination of medications and brain retraining.
