Far too many books about borderline personality disorder needlessly stigmatize people with BPD, calling them “borderlines” and focusing only on the experiences of family members. (Don’t get me wrong, family members do need support and validation, but individuals with the illness need it just as much if not more.)

After reading several of these books, I was starting to feel disheartened. Was there any compassionate, nuanced guide to be found? The answer seemed to be no.

And then I stumbled across Valerie Porr’s Overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder: A Family Guide for Healing and Change.

Its gentle cover of meditation stones called to me: soothing and Zen-like and reassuring. Its title had an optimistic tone — recovery is possible!

Best of all, the information inside didn’t disappoint. This book covers everything: the neuroscience behind BPD, therapies that help (including DBT), and validation and mindfulness strategies for when the going gets tough for both people with BPD and their family members. All delivered in a gentle, factual manner that respects all parties involved. Wow!

I probably sound like Ms. Porr’s publicist, right? Well, I really am an evangelist for Overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder. Every time someone asks me for a book recommendation about BPD, I pass along this one without hesitation … and tell them to give the rest a pass.

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