BPD awareness
1 May marks the start of Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month in the UK. The condition is often misunderstood and carries a stigma unlike many other diagnoses.
Over a million people live with the condition in the UK, most of them are undiagnosed.
We hope to raise awareness of the issues of those living with personality difficulties experience and help them seek support. BPD is a serious condition with high rates of self harm.
While the symptoms can be confusing and easily misunderstood, effective treatments are available.
If you’re in this situation, it’s crucial that you reach out for professional help, and open up to a loved one, as soon as possible. Nobody will judge you and you'll benefit from having support, as you prepare to start taking care of your mental health. It’s important to understand that its not your fault and many people will struggle to handle this serious – but medically-treatable – condition alone.
How can I help?
The best way to observe BPD Awareness Month is by educating yourself about the disorder. Support the people around you who are affected by adult or teen BPD by reading materials written by experts who understand and specialize in this condition.
Awareness of all mental health conditions helps reduce stigma - BPD comes with more than most. May is a time to spread awareness about this disorder, the dangers, the treatment, and the hope.
As always - knowledge is power
Why is BPD awareness so important?
2% of the population suffer from the condition, with most undiagnosed. BPD has an alarming rate of self harm and suicide.
Given its comorbidity with other conditions BPD is often misdiagnosed.
For many sufferers hearing about the condition and a diagnosis is light bulb moment - finally feeling heard an validated.
BMC Psychiatry
“up to 85%” of BPD sufferers will attempt suicide
StatPearls
Over 75% of people who are diagnosed with BPD are women
PubMed
Men with BPD are 15x times more likely to die by suicide and Women with BPD are 38x more likely to die by suicide than the general population
Harvard Medical School
BPD is treatable
Symptoms
Symptoms of BPD are varied among sufferers and each individuals experience is unique. If you think you display some of these, it might be helpful to seek an assessment to clear your mind or begin your journey of recovery.
Quiet BPD
Someone with quiet BPD, will experience the same intense emotions of anger, shame, sadness and guilt. However, they tend to do so internally making it more difficult to identify. The symptoms are broadly the same but we have a page on the common signs of Quiet BPD (Discouraged BPD).