Borderline Reference Books
Below are some of the most popular, recommened, and well-known books on BPD. So far, I've only read one, but that's only because there's so much information to absorb. I've stated whether or not I have read the book in the informative texts on each novel. For each novel, I will include positive and negative reviews that I have found, so that I may provide any information you would like to know. (I will also caution thinking too much into the negative reviews, as many of them are misguided by hurt, grudges, anger due to their experience with BPD, or, simply, ignorance on the topic of mental illnesses.)
I Hate You - Don't Leave Me: Understanding the Borderline Personality, Completely Revised and Updated, written by Jerold J. Kreisman, MD, and Hal Straus
*This book has been highly recommended to me by many psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health profesionals. It is considered a 'classic' on BPD and is still a best-selling book. I even highly recommend this book, as I have read it. It's easy to read and follow while being extremely informative. I also strongly disagree with the negative reviews I have posted below, especially considering other fragments of the review talked about this book being very outdated. That means they've read the first edition of the book and not the "Revised and Updated" edition, so what their negative comments talk about most likely do not apply in the new edition (published in 2010).
The Positive Reviews:
The Negative Reviews: Every single negative review I've found on this book was written before 2010, meaning they've read the outdated version of this book, or were ones that were based off of those reviews. Therefore, those reviews technically apply to a different book and not this one. There was one comment in a review that does ring true to the fact it states, but the opinion on the fact definitely varies for many people. The reviewer stated that it, "guesses at who may or may not have been suffering with BPD - a famous woman who killed herself, an infamous man who killed millions."
*This book has been highly recommended to me by many psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health profesionals. It is considered a 'classic' on BPD and is still a best-selling book. I even highly recommend this book, as I have read it. It's easy to read and follow while being extremely informative. I also strongly disagree with the negative reviews I have posted below, especially considering other fragments of the review talked about this book being very outdated. That means they've read the first edition of the book and not the "Revised and Updated" edition, so what their negative comments talk about most likely do not apply in the new edition (published in 2010).
The Positive Reviews:
The Negative Reviews: Every single negative review I've found on this book was written before 2010, meaning they've read the outdated version of this book, or were ones that were based off of those reviews. Therefore, those reviews technically apply to a different book and not this one. There was one comment in a review that does ring true to the fact it states, but the opinion on the fact definitely varies for many people. The reviewer stated that it, "guesses at who may or may not have been suffering with BPD - a famous woman who killed herself, an infamous man who killed millions."
Stop Walking on Eggshells
Written by Paul Mason, MS, and Randi Kreger
*Reviews on this book by the general population who have read it have been highly rated and recommended. It's a best-seller as well. Many mental health professionals have also mentioned and recommended this book to patients and their loved ones.
*Reviews on this book by the general population who have read it have been highly rated and recommended. It's a best-seller as well. Many mental health professionals have also mentioned and recommended this book to patients and their loved ones.
The Essential Family Guide to Borderline Personality Disorder
Written by Randi Kreger (co-author of the best selling book Walking on Eggshells)
*The Positive Reviews: According to multiple reviews, has greatly helped the families and loved ones of BPD patients cope with their loved one's disorder. One reviewer said, "Very few books can actually change your life. Randi Kreger has written two." Another reviewer stated, "If you are dealing with a person who is making your life miserable and who leaves you constantly feeling as if you are walking on eggshells, you need this extraordinary book."
The Negative Reviews: Honestly, there weren't many negative comments or reviews on this book. Even some of the most negative ones were 'negative' only when compared to other reviews. One reviewer mildly complained that, "This new book is helping me much more in understanding and empathizing with my wife, but I still think it doesn't quite get what is the most effective means for interacting with a borderline." Another reviewer said, "Not the book to determine if someone has BPD, in my unprofessional opinion, but would be a good resource with someone who has been or has a family member diagnosed with this condition."
*The Positive Reviews: According to multiple reviews, has greatly helped the families and loved ones of BPD patients cope with their loved one's disorder. One reviewer said, "Very few books can actually change your life. Randi Kreger has written two." Another reviewer stated, "If you are dealing with a person who is making your life miserable and who leaves you constantly feeling as if you are walking on eggshells, you need this extraordinary book."
The Negative Reviews: Honestly, there weren't many negative comments or reviews on this book. Even some of the most negative ones were 'negative' only when compared to other reviews. One reviewer mildly complained that, "This new book is helping me much more in understanding and empathizing with my wife, but I still think it doesn't quite get what is the most effective means for interacting with a borderline." Another reviewer said, "Not the book to determine if someone has BPD, in my unprofessional opinion, but would be a good resource with someone who has been or has a family member diagnosed with this condition."
Overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder
Written by Valerie Porr, MA, president and founder of Treatment and Research Advancements National Association for Personality Disorder
*The Positive Reviews: One reviewer said, "Time and time, Porr provides wonderful examples to help explain complex concepts." Another reviewer said Overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder was "a breath of fresh air among many books for loved ones of people with BPD."
The Negative Reviews: Some negative reviews have criticized this book on being "the most negative" on the subject of BPD. Another reviewer said, "she dances around any relationship to childhood trauma and BPD."
*The Positive Reviews: One reviewer said, "Time and time, Porr provides wonderful examples to help explain complex concepts." Another reviewer said Overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder was "a breath of fresh air among many books for loved ones of people with BPD."
The Negative Reviews: Some negative reviews have criticized this book on being "the most negative" on the subject of BPD. Another reviewer said, "she dances around any relationship to childhood trauma and BPD."