The Big Book on Borderline Personality Disorder

by Shehrina Rooney

Contrary to popular belief, borderline personality disorder is NOT a life sentence! If you live with borderline personality disorder (BPD), you already know how painful it can be. But take heart – recovery is possible! The Big Book on Borderline Personality Disorder offers advice from someone who’s been there and speaks from inside BPD, with empathy, care and insight. Author Shehrina Rooney shrugs off the stigma, busts myths, and translates the diagnostic criteria into everyday language. She explains the brain science of emotion dysregulation and shares her favorite strategies and skills for weathering the storm. The Big Book on Borderline Personality Disorder includes special chapters for family and loved ones, men with BPD, and anyone newly diagnosed. The author gives readers strategies for coping with BPD in the workplace and as a parent. In short, this book covers everything you (or your parents or therapist) could possibly want to know about BPD. This book gives you the information and tools to reclaim your life. With warmth and humor, Shehrina Rooney shows you how you can find contentment, stability, and the freedom to enjoy each day as it comes.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Mental Health

389 pages, Paperback

Published January 15, 2019

Reviews

[Sarah Chandler]

As someone with BPD I've found this book extremely helpful, easy to understand and so so reassuring! Whilst reading this I felt so much more positive about my future. Reading similar life experiences was reassuring! Shehrina explained the parts of the brain and their roles in easy to understand language which is one of my favourite parts. I go back and refer to it. Having completed DBT I've seen skills incorporated, which is invaluable. I have learnt so much and have taken notes to refer to!!

[Sho · Rating 4 out of 5]

More clinical than I expected. I had hoped that this book would offer more perspective from someone with bpd than mainly just textbook facts. I had also hoped for more insight about thoughts&behaviours we don’t realize are related to bpd &also for more insight into different types of bpd. (As I myself am quiet.)
However, the letters to boss/loved ones I found very helpful. Also the reflections on her recovery from others was very inspiring. As well as the tips for goals& mindfulness.

Thanks Shehrina for writing this!

[Eva Hodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on BDP. The author herself has been suffering from this personality disorder and because of this, the stories and recommendations in the book are so genuine and very personal as well. Highly recommended to anyone with BDP.

[Aaron Myrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has changed my life.

:)

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was one ive been meaning to get to for a while though now that I have read it im at a bit of a loss on how to really talk about it.

The content of this booked triggered flashbacks and strong emotions in me back to the relationship I was in from 2020 to 2022. I had to read a chapter, or sometimes even just a section and put it down and recenter myself before I could continue quite frequently. Tigger warnings for mental health, suicide, bpd, and abusive/toxic relationships abound.

It doesnt hold back, and it gives a very personal perspective on someone who has BPD and their struggles with it. This is not a standard self help book, more accurately this is how someone helped themselves. The very personal viewpoint resonates and allows the author to explain in wonderfully helpful detail what was going on in her life, however BPD is very much NOT a one size fits all problem. Its a excellent resource for understanding, but this would be a poor generalized resource and its extremely important to remember that when reading.

In the end, reading this book wouldnt have saved my relationship. But it helped me recognize some of my own lingering trauma. Its helping me better understand what did happen in that relationship and steps I would have needed to take to make it healthier. And by far most importantly, it helps me understand just a tiny bit more how I can support and be there for the other wonderful people in my life with BPD.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For something I picked up at the library on a whim, this book was both informative and helpful for any individual who is curious about Borderline Personality Disorder. It was well organized, and written in an accessible way that makes it easy to read and understand. Although I have never been diagnosed with BPD, I found tips that will be helpful in my everyday life when dealing with my anxiety. Overall, I think this book will be a fantastic use to anyone who is curious about the disorder, but even better for those diagnosed and their loved ones.

[Marilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has proven to be amazingly helpful and an inspiration to self improvement and self development. The insights are countless. I'll definitely going to read it again and again in the future because it gives hope in humanity. What a beautiful and strong person she is. (PS. There's no need to be BPD or to have any mental health issues to benefit from reading this inspirational book. I just can't thank the author and the people involved enough)

[Zannatiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The contents of this book can be very triggering for some people due to its rawness. I personally had my rough spots reading it, but also ended up learning a lot of important facts and skills along the way.

The author shares her own experiences with BPD and I'd say this is one of the best sources for information and healthy coping mechanisms, both for people who live with this mental illness and for their friends and families.

[Mike Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you or someone in your life is living with borderline personality disorder (BPD), I 100% recommend reading this book. The author communicates what it is like living with BPD in terms any reader can understand. She also has specific sections for how those living with someone with BPD can better support their loved ones and better understand their behaviors.

[Darren-lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dont think I could of picked up a better book about the subject matter if I tried. It's all in there, everything you could ever want to know about it. Untold respect to the author for her guts and her honesty...

[Emmie Must · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very helpful overall. Some parts I couldn't relate since I have no children or I am married but still It's important information to have to understand people that are struggling with this as well. I hope the author is doing ok

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfortunately for some BPD is a life sentence. To recover is a choice not all people make. This book has helped me to understand my Mother. Though she won't get the help she needs understanding has helped me with my own healing process.

[Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, Felt very relatable and was informative.

[Esther 🌻🦒 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this very helpful and really reassuring. It made me feel more positive about the future and myself.
Thank you for writing this book. I’m looking forward to when your website launches.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very balanced all-in one BPD book. First-hand account of symptoms will resonate with both BPD-sufferers and their loved ones. Empathy for BPD-sufferer along with acknowledgement of reality for loved one. Validation + accountability. Balanced list of treatment methods, from attachment-based (MBT), to cognition-based (CBT)