Stronger Than BPD by Debbie Corso

I have reviewed this book as it was sent to me for review kindly from the publishers.

I have to say firstly, I recommend this book if you or someone you know has Borderline Personality Disorder. I personally have a friend who has been diagnosed with BPD and she wants to read this book now too after me telling her about it.

In the book the author describes how the condition can cause such intense emotions that lead to uncontrollable situations. The author describes how she ended up in accident and emergency most times as no one else could help to keep her calm as often is the way with people with BPD, my friend is the same.

BPD can be triggered by traumatic events, suppressed memory can also lead to PTSD and that often coincides with BPD.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is used to treat suicidal patients with a BPD diagnosis. Obviously the overall aim is to prevent the situation of suicide but also teaching skills to be able to cope more with the BPD and running emotions.

The basic breakdown of DBT comes into four categories;

Personal relationships, coping with distress, paying attention to your life, coping with your emotions.

The activities in the book are capable for BPD sufferers and others alike with mental health issues such as bipolar disorder.
For example the most common technique mentioned in the book is mindfulness which is very popular anyway, focusing on living in the moment and not focussing on the past you.

This book has been a very eye opening read into the world of Borderline Personality Disorder. I am definitely more aware of how others with the condition must feel in certain situations now too.

Hello Me It's You by Anonymous, Hannah Todd

As someone who knows others as well as myself, who have suffered with mental and physical health issues, this intrigued me to read this book. The publisher has very kindly allowed me a copy to review.

This book is a collection of letters written by people, mostly anonymously, years after they were around sixteen years old. Upon their reflection on their own personal struggle with mental health and opens up to us to read, empathise and realise again there should be no stigma around such a huge subject that effects so many of us around the world.

The author herself states in the beginning of the book, she herself was diagnosed with anxiety and depression which are two most aware of common mental health issues that effect so many of us.

In between each of the letters written, there is a quote to inspire and give us a sense of hope in a beautiful paintbrush style water stroke text.

The story's told in each letter are intimate and honest allowing us to feel how they feel/felt and allows us to think of how they tackled their health issues.

For me, letter 9 stood out for pain as I suffer with Fibromyalgia. As well as letter 10 during which is written, distraction is key as I have found that has helped me when I have an anxiety moment or think back on my own issues in my teens with more severe issues.

Overall this books talks on subjects of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self harm, body dysmorphia and more mental health issues so openly it's refreshing and I honestly hope we can stop the stigma.

If you are suffering with your mental health, there is help, this book may help open up otherwise please talk to a family member, friend, GP or if you are in school or college a counsellor or teacher.