Table of Contents

Foreword, Marsha M. Linehan Introduction I. Understanding Your Loved One and Your Relationship 1. “Why Do I Feel So Lost in This Relationship?” 2. What Makes Someone So Emotional? 3. The Hidden Power of Validation 4. Five Steps to Balanced Responses and Better Outcomes II. The Many Faces of Borderline Personality Disorder 5. I Can't Stand Feeling Like This! 6. It Was All My Fault 7. You Have to Fix This for Me! 8. Things Are Awful . . . but Don't Worry; I'm Handling It 9. Why Do Terrible Things Keep Happening to Me? 10. Nothing's Wrong—I'm Fine III. Dealing with Crisis and Getting Help 11. Handling Your Own Difficult Emotions 12. Understanding Self-Harm/Suicide and Making Decisions about Hospitalization 13. Getting Treatment and Support Resources

About the Author

Shari Y. Manning, PhD, is a clinician in private practice and the former President/CEO of Behavioral Tech and Behavioral Tech Research, the organizations founded by Marsha M. Linehan to provide training in DBT. Dr. Manning has focused on the treatment of people with BPD since 1993. She lives in Columbia, South Carolina, USA.

Reviews

"Dr. Manning's compassion, understanding, and nonjudgmental approach resonate on every page of this readable, helpful book. She eloquently describes the challenges of caring for someone with BPD and provides numerous step-by-step strategies for dealing with common problems. Highly recommended." - Michaela Swales, Bangor University, UK "The title says it all! Dr. Manning explains what she has learned about the true nature of borderline personality disorder (BPD) from the experts themselves -- those who have the disorder. She shows family and friends how our instinctive responses to the crises associated with BPD are frequently ineffective or even harmful, and illuminates what we can do differently, providing practical, incisive, step-by-step guidance. The book helps readers understand their complicated relationship with a person with severe emotion dysregulation. It provides valuable tools for dealing with self-harm, suicidality, and hospitalization decisions. Of crucial importance, Dr. Manning clearly affirms that BPD -- and the pain experienced by those who suffer -- is real. We highly recommend this book." - Jim and Diane Hall, Family Educators for the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder, USA

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a lesser-known psychiatric diagnosis associated with serious forms of self-harm. BPD is also especially stigmatized, perhaps even among therapists. Manning, a clinician and apostle of leading BPD expert and dialectical behavior therapy originator Marsha Linehan, here addresses the concerns of friends and relatives of persons with BPD. First, Manning presents a biosocial theory of the disorder and suggests helpful responses to borderline behavior. She then explores the behavioral dynamics characteristic of BPD, including self-invalidation, lack of problem-solving skills, apparent competence, emotional dysregulation, and inhibited grieving. Specific scripts for encounters and detailed case examples are presented. The final section instructs readers on handling their own emotions and assessing the danger of self-harm and suicide and the need for hospitalization. The book ends with a brief overview of professional treatments for BPD. VERDICT This hopeful yet realistic book is an indispensable tool for managing relationships with persons who have borderline personality disorder. Research based, clearly written, and practical, this guide to a complex disorder is highly recommended.-Antoinette Brinkman, M.L.S., Evansville, IN (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.