Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder: History & Meaning

Cover for 7 Days Inside BPD: Understanding BPD's History & Meaning

Episode Summary

In this episode of 7 Days Inside: Borderline, Kyle Lincoln breaks down what BPD is and how it has been historically misunderstood. He explains that the term “borderline” originally described individuals who didn’t fit neatly into early psychiatric categories but has since evolved to capture three core struggles: intense emotional swings, a deep fear of abandonment, and an unstable sense of self. Through two fictional case studies—Elena, who internalizes emotions, and Marcus, who externalizes them—Kyle illustrates how BPD can present differently while still following common patterns. The episode highlights the “paradox of closeness,” where the desire for connection conflicts with the fear of rejection, shaping relationships in complex ways. By the end, listeners better understand BPD beyond stereotypes or casual misuse of the term.

Listen to this Episode

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Episode transcript

Transcript, Introduction (Part 1)

Transcript, Defining Borderline Personality Disorder (Part 2)

Transcript, Two Case Studies (Part 3)

Transcript, The Paradox of Closeness (Part 4)

Transcript, Wrap-up (Part 5)

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Resources for Defining Borderline Personality Disorder

Educational Resources on BPD

BPD Demystified (Robert Friedel's website)

Building a Life Worth Living: A Memoir by Marsha M. Linehan

National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder (NEA-BPD)

Videos from McLean Hospital

Self-Assessment & Screening Tools

While a formal diagnosis should always come from a qualified mental health professional experienced with BPD, there are reputable self-reporting tools and educational resources that can help someone reflect on whether they relate to BPD symptoms. The McLean Screening Instrument for BPD (MSI-BPD) is a widely used self-report tool for identifying BPD traits. BPD Demystified also offers an online test.

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