Anthony W. Bateman
Families, friends, and caregivers of people with borderline personality disorder have long been neglected by mental health professionals. Blamed, censured, stigmatized, they have been relegated to the anteroom of treatment, rarely being considered as a positive force to be harnessed for effective intervention. This book, taking its inspiration from a conference of the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder, represents a turning point. Whilst there are many books on borderline personality disorder, this is the only one to consider fully the perspectives of both the family and professionals. The professionals cover basic theoretical approaches to the disorder and outline treatment methods and the consumers, the real experts, give their own compelling accounts of living with a loved one with a borderline disorder. Their point is clear. Involving families in treatment resurrects hope from despair and, far from making matters worse, is likely to improve treatment outcomes and maintain constructive family involvement. This book tells how it should be done and should be on the desk of all professionals treating patients with borderline personality disorder. It is a convincing reminder that families should not be relegated to the waiting room but positively encouraged to engage with the treatment process.
David A. Flory
[U]nderstanding and Treating Borderline Personality Disorder is one of the most complete and responsibly written books I have found on any mental illness. I recommend it without reservation to anyone who needs a comprehensive introduction to what is known-and not known-about BPD.(Metapsychology Online Book Reviews)
Thomas H. McGlashan
The editors compile the wisdom of many experts into a collection that is timely, richly empathic, and informative. All chapters address questions often raised by consumers and their relatives, and several chapters focus exclusively on coping with BPD within the family context. This book has been a long time in coming; now that it's here, it will surely become a classic.
Otto F. Kernberg
This volume is a most welcome contribution to a growing and complex literature. Its balanced and objective summaries of current knowledge should interest clinicians and help them communicate with families about the illness, treatment alternatives, and how families can help their relatives and (last but not least) themselves. Even more, by highlighting clear and simple, yet sophisticated and comprehensive statements, it manages to convey what families need to know in order to understand and to be of help to their ill relatives.