Buddha & The Borderline: My Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder Through Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Buddhism, & Online Dating

(Paperback)

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Borderline personality disorder (BPD) affects more than ten million Americans, yet the disorder is shrouded in mystery. Only recently have treatments like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) been developed for this 'incurable' condition that causes chaotic and unstable moods, self-injury and/or suicide attempts, and reckless, impulsive behavior. In the fascinating memoir, The Buddha and the Borderline, Kiera Van Gelder offers new insight into the experience of BPD, chronicling her downward spiral during her years as a student at a prestigious private school. While her peers were preparing for college, Kiera was sinking more and more into the instability, loneliness, volatile relationships, and hopelessness common among BPD sufferers. She spent most of her teenage years on the streets after dropping out of school, relying on drugs and alcohol to ease the pain no one, least of all her parents, seemed to understand. Finally, she received a correct diagnosis at age 31, and began the arduous struggle to gain control over her emotions and reclaim her life using DBT, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and Buddhism.

Reviews

The Buddha and the Borderline is a cross between Girl, Interrupted and Bridget Jones's Diary.While reading it, I found myself admiring Kiera's talent for vividly describing borderline hopelessness and pain while keeping me laughing with her tales of life as a 'lonely and increasingly horny receptionist.' While this book has something for everyone, Kiera's detailed account of how she recovered from this deadly disorder will be enormously inspiring to people with borderline personality disorder and their family members. -- Randi Kreger, author of Stop Walking on Eggshells
Out of a profoundly painful experience, Kiera Van Gelder has written a brave and hopeful book exploring her recovery from borderline personality disorder. Kiera's story will undoubtedly touch countless lives and be a source of inspiration to those who have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, their families, and the mental health professionals who play a crucial role in the complex nexus of education, treatment, and support. The Buddha and the Borderline is a compelling and invaluable narrative for anyone wanting to learn more about the difficult, yet ultimately rewarding, process of recovery. -- Amanda L. Smith, Florida Borderline Personality Disorder Association

Author Bio

Kiera Van Gelder, MFA, is an artist, educator, and writer diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. An international speaker and advocate, she is featured in the documentary Back from the Edge: Living With and Recovering From Borderline Personality Disorder. She currently lives in Massachusetts at a Buddhist meditation center.