Living with borderline personality disorder

Emotional volatility, challenging interpersonal dynamics, dependence on different substances, contemplation of self-harm: borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that brings about significant distress.

Thankfully, there is reason for optimism, thanks to treatments that can aid in your recovery.

Throughout her entire life, Mélanie-Karine Dubé has grappled with a deep sense of emptiness. She describes it as a perpetual sense of insufficiency that causes physical pain. It's as if we're enveloped in pain when we receive unfortunate news.

This pain was a constant presence in my life. In 2015, Mélanie-Karine reached a breaking point. She went to the hospital seeking assistance during a difficult time. During this period, she underwent psychiatric evaluation and was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). She was in her early forties.

She reflects on the moment when she first discovered she had a mental health issue, expressing her surprise at the revelation. After the chaos subsided, I came to realise that there were reasons behind my pain and, most importantly, that there were steps I could take to improve my situation.

Approximately 1 to 5% of the population is believed to be affected by borderline personality disorder. In Quebec, the diagnosis is made by doctors (psychiatrists) and psychologists. No need to handle it on your own by searching the internet.

"It's a significant diagnosis," cautions Monique Bessette, a psychologist who specialises in treating personality disorders and serves as the director of the Victoria Institute. This particular personality disorder has been linked to a heightened risk of suicide.

Having this diagnosis in your medical file can have negative implications on people's employability. It is not advisable to establish this in just 15 minutes in the emergency room. It is important to have multiple interactions with the individual and thoroughly examine the matter in order to arrive at an accurate assessment.

Borderline personality disorder is a multifaceted mental health issue that involves challenges in emotional regulation, self-esteem, self-identity, and interpersonal relationships.

"Individuals with BPD often experience a heightened intensity of emotions such as anxiety, rage, pain, despair, and shame," explains Monique Bessette. This results in significant fluctuations in emotions, which may not align with the circumstances.

For instance, the individual encounters an answering machine while contacting their insurance company and expresses frustration, exclaiming that they feel neglected and unheard.

"The majority of individuals are capable of handling frustration," adds the psychologist. For individuals with BPD, a single incident can set off a chain reaction of intense, negative emotions that can persist for hours or even days.

Every day, this can damage relationships with others and result in verbal and physical aggression, such as with one's partner or children.

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