BPD Basics
What does “BPD” stand for?
(Answer: What is Borderline Personality Disorder?)
Name one of the 9 symptoms of BPD.
(Answer: Any from DSM-5 list.)
BPD means someone is dangerous.
(Answer: What is a myth?) — People with BPD are not inherently dangerous.
What emotion do people with BPD often fear most?
(Answer: What is abandonment?)
Your friend texts “I feel totally empty.” What’s a caring response?
(Answer: “I’m here for you. Want to talk?”)
True or False: Only adults can be diagnosed with BPD.
(Answer: False. Teens can be diagnosed too.)
What is it called when someone goes from loving to hating someone very quickly?
(Answer: What is “splitting” or unstable relationships?)
People with BPD can get better.
(Answer: What is a fact?) — With treatment, symptoms can improve.
Mood swings in BPD usually last how long: hours, days, or weeks?
(Answer: What are hours to days?)
A friend with BPD says you’re “the only one who cares” — then gets mad at you later. How do you handle it?
(Open-ended)
BPD mainly affects which three areas of life?
(Answer: What are emotions, relationships, and self-image?)
What does “chronic emptiness” feel like?
(Answer: Feeling numb, hollow, or like something’s missing.)
BPD is just “being dramatic.”
(Answer: What is a myth?) — It’s a serious mental health condition.
People with BPD feel emotions more... A) Mildly B) Strongly C) Slowly
(Answer: What is B) Strongly?)
Someone with BPD says they feel abandoned after a short silence. What could you say?
(Answer: “I didn’t mean to make you feel that way — I care about you.”)
What type of therapy is most effective for BPD?
(Answer: What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy or DBT?)
BPD often involves intense anger. True or False?
BPD often involves intense anger. True or False? (Answer: True)
Only girls are diagnosed with BPD.
(Answer: What is a myth?) — It affects all genders.
Describe a time you felt “too much” — what might that look like for someone with BPD?
Open ended
You notice you’re having big mood swings and feel out of control. Who can you talk to?
(Answer: What is a counselor, therapist, or trusted adult?)
Name one cause or risk factor for developing BPD.
(Answer: What is trauma, genetics, or brain differences?)?
What is dissociation?
(Answer: Feeling disconnected from yourself or reality.)
People with BPD don’t want help.
(Answer: What is a myth?) — Many want support but feel misunderstood.
What’s one coping skill for big emotions?
(Answer: What is mindfulness, deep breathing, or DBT skills?)?
How could you support a friend with BPD without burning yourself out?
(Answer: Set boundaries, listen, encourage help.)