BPD Fundamentals
Borderline Personality Disorder for Dummies
by Charles H. Elliott and Laura L. Smith
Second edition, For Dummies, 2020
This approachable guide covers everything from diagnosis to treatment and daily coping strategies. It’s written in a friendly, non-intimidating style, making it ideal for those new to BPD. The book includes practical advice for managing symptoms and improving relationships, as well as tips for family and friends.
I Hate You—Don’t Leave Me: Understanding the Borderline Personality
by Jerold J. Kreisman and Hal Straus
Third edition, Tarcher, 2021
A foundational text that demystifies borderline personality disorder for both sufferers and their loved ones. The authors break down the symptoms, causes, and treatment options in accessible language, using case studies and real-life examples to illustrate the complex emotional world of BPD. This book is often recommended as the first step for anyone seeking to understand the disorder.
Stronger Than BPD: The Girl's Guide to Taking Control of Intense Emotions, Drama, and Chaos Using DBT
by Debbie Corso
New Harbinger Publications, 2017
Written by someone who has lived through BPD, this book offers hope and practical recovery strategies. Corso shares her personal journey and introduces readers to skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), providing step-by-step exercises for emotional regulation and self-acceptance.
Borderline Personality Disorder Demystified: An Essential Guide for Understanding and Living with BPD
by Robert O. Friedel
Revised edition, Balance, 2018
A straightforward guide that breaks down the complexities of BPD, including symptoms, causes, and treatment options, making it easier to understand the disorder from both a clinical and personal perspective.
The Emotionally Sensitive Person: Finding Peace When Your Emotions Overwhelm You
by Karyn D. Hall
New Harbinger Publications, 2014
Explores the experiences of highly sensitive individuals, helping them understand their emotional intensity and develop skills for self-care, resilience, and interpersonal effectiveness. The book blends psychological insights with practical exercises to support emotional balance.
The Borderline Personality Disorder Survival Guide
by Alexander L. Chapman and Kim L. Gratz
New Harbinger Publications, 2007
This guide is written for both people with BPD and their loved ones. It covers symptoms, causes, and treatment options, and includes worksheets and exercises to help families manage crises and foster healthier relationships.
Family, Parenting and Relationship Support
Loving Someone with Borderline Personality Disorder: How to Keep Out-Of-Control Emotions from Destroying Your Relationship
by Shari Y. Manning
Guilford Publications, 2011
Manning, a clinical psychologist, offers compassionate guidance for partners and family members. The book teaches readers how to respond to BPD behaviors without sacrificing their own needs, using validation and problem-solving techniques grounded in DBT.
Stop Walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder
by Paul T. Mason and Randi Kreger
Third edition, New Harbinger Publications, 2020
A classic resource for families, this book helps readers set healthy boundaries, communicate more effectively, and protect their own well-being while supporting someone with BPD. It’s filled with real-life examples and practical advice for navigating the emotional rollercoaster of a close relationship with someone who has BPD.
The Essential Family Guide to Borderline Personality Disorder
by Randi Kreger
Hazelden Publishing, 2008
Expanding on her earlier work, Kreger provides a comprehensive overview of BPD, including up-to-date information on treatment and family dynamics. The book features advice from leading experts and practical tools for coping, communicating, and maintaining hope.
The Power of Validation: A Guide to Helping Your Child Thrive
by Karyn D. Hall and Melissa H. Cook
New Harbinger Publications, 2011
This book teaches parents and caregivers how to use validation to strengthen relationships, improve emotional regulation, and support children struggling with intense emotions—including those with BPD traits.
Parenting a Child Who Has Intense Emotions
by Pat Harvey and Jeanine Penzo
New Harbinger Publications, 2009
A practical guide for parents navigating the challenges of raising a child with intense emotions. Using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) principles, the authors provide strategies for fostering emotional regulation, setting boundaries, and maintaining healthy communication.
Borderline Personality Disorder in Adolescents: A Complete Guide for Families of Teens with BPD
by Blaise Aguirre
Third edition, Fair Winds Press, 2025
Offers insight into the unique challenges faced by teens with BPD, as well as strategies for treatment and family support.
Understanding the Borderline Mother: Helping Her Children Transcend the Intense, Unpredictable, and Volatile Relationship
by Christine Ann Lawson
Globe Pequot - in Transit, 2002
Lawson explores the impact of BPD on children and families, describing the different “types” of borderline mothers and how their behaviors affect their children’s development. The book is validating and eye-opening for anyone who grew up with a parent with BPD, offering insights and pathways to healing.
Surviving a Borderline Parent: How to Heal Your Childhood Wounds and Build Trust, Boundaries, and Self-Esteem
by Kimberlee Roth and Freda B. Friedman
New Harbinger Publications, 2004
A compassionate resource for those who grew up with a parent who has BPD, offering validation, coping strategies, and guidance for healing. The book explores the impact of a parent's unpredictable emotions and provides tools for setting boundaries and reclaiming personal well-being.
Hard to Love: Understanding and Overcoming Male Borderline Personality Disorder
by Joseph Nowinski
Central Recovery Press, 2014
Focuses on the unique challenges men face with BPD, offering insights into emotion dysregulation, relationships, and recovery. Nowinski provides strategies for both individuals with BPD and their loved ones to navigate complex emotional patterns and foster healing.
The High-Conflict Couple: A Dialectical Behavior Therapy Guide to Finding Peace, Intimacy, and Validation
by Alan E. Fruzzetti
New Harbinger Publications, 2006
A valuable resource for couples struggling with conflict and emotional intensity, offering DBT-based tools to improve communication, strengthen relationships, and foster mutual understanding.
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) Focused
DBT Skills Training Manual
by Marsha M. Linehan
Revised edition, Guilford Publications, 2025
A vital component in Dr. Linehan’s comprehensive treatment program, this book is an essential resource for therapists implementing DBT in group or individual settings. It provides detailed instructions on how to teach core DBT skills in four areas: interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness.
DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets
by Marsha M. Linehan
Revised edition, Guilford Publications, 2025
From the creator of DBT, this collection of handouts and worksheets is a staple in therapy settings. It covers all four DBT modules—mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—with clear instructions and examples.
The Expanded Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training Manual
by Lane Pederson
Third edition, PESI Publishing Inc., 2025
A comprehensive DBT manual designed for self-help and therapy settings. This expanded edition includes more skills than any other DBT book, covering dialectics, cognitive modification, problem-solving, and additional modules on addictions and social media. It’s widely used by therapists and individuals seeking structured DBT guidance.
The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook: Practical DBT Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, and Distress Tolerance
by Matthew McKay, Jeffrey C. Wood and Jeffrey Brantley
Second edition, New Harbinger Publications, 2019
A hands-on workbook filled with practical DBT exercises for managing emotions, reducing self-destructive behaviors, and improving relationships. The book is user-friendly and suitable for both individuals with BPD and their families.
DBT For Dummies
by Gillian Galen and Blaise Aguirre
For Dummies, 2021
This accessible guide introduces the core concepts and skills of DBT, making them easy to understand and apply in daily life. It’s ideal for those new to DBT or looking for a refresher.
Coping with BPD: DBT and CBT Skills to Soothe the Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder
by Blaise Aguirre and Gillian Galen
New Harbinger Publications, 2015
A practical workbook that blends DBT and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) skills. The authors offer clear explanations and actionable tools for managing mood swings, self-destructive behaviors, and relationship challenges.
Don't Let Your Emotions Run Your Life: How Dialectical Behavior Therapy Can Put You in Control
by Scott E. Spradlin
New Harbinger Publications, 2003
A practical guide using DBT techniques to help readers manage intense emotions, build resilience, and cultivate self-control.
Don't Let Your Emotions Run Your Life for Teens
by Sheri Van Dijk
Second edition, Instant Help, 2021
A DBT-focused workbook designed specifically for teenagers. It helps young people navigate mood swings, control anger, and improve relationships using practical techniques for emotional regulation and self-awareness.
Memoirs and Personal Stories
Building a Life Worth Living
by Marsha M. Linehan
Random House, 2020
In this inspiring memoir, the creator of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) shares her own personal journey, including her struggles with mental illness and how she developed DBT. Her story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of finding meaning in life.
Beyond Borderline: True Stories of Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder
Edited by John G. Gunderson and Perry D. Hoffman
New Harbinger Publications, 2016
A collection of essays from individuals who have experienced BPD and found paths to recovery. The stories are diverse and inspiring, offering hope and practical insights for readers at any stage of their journey.
The Buddha and the Borderline: My Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder through Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Buddhism, and Online Dating
by Kiera Van Gelder
New Harbinger Publications, 2010
Blending memoir with self-help, Van Gelder shares her struggle with BPD and her path to recovery through DBT and Buddhist practices. The book is honest, hopeful, and full of practical wisdom.
Remnants of a Life on Paper: A Mother and Daughter's Struggle with Borderline Personality Disorder
by Bea Tusiani, Pamela Tusiani and Paula Tusiani-Eng
Baroque Press, 2013
A deeply personal account of a family's struggle with BPD, capturing the emotional impact of the disorder on relationships, identity, and healing.
Girl in Need of a Tourniquet: Memoir of a Borderline Personality
by Merri Lisa Johnson
Seal Press, 2010
Johnson’s candid memoir offers a firsthand account of living with BPD, exploring the emotional turmoil, challenges in relationships, and the journey toward recovery. Her storytelling is raw and insightful, making it a powerful resource for anyone seeking to understand the lived experience of BPD.
The Way She Feels: My Life on the Borderline in Pictures & Pieces
by Courtney Cook
Tin House Books, 2021
This illustrated memoir uses art and narrative to depict the daily realities of living with BPD. Cook’s creative approach makes the book accessible and relatable, especially for younger readers or those who connect with visual storytelling.
This Is Not the End: Conversations on Borderline Personality Disorder
Edited by Tabetha Martin
Callisto, 2016
Martin gathers first-person accounts and interviews with people affected by BPD, providing a nuanced look at the challenges and triumphs of living with the disorder.
Get Me Out of Here: My Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder
by Rachel Reiland
Hazelden Publishing, 2004
With raw honesty, this memoir reveals what borderline personality disorder looks and feels like from the inside, and how healing is possible through intensive therapy and the support of loved ones. Through vivid storytelling, Reiland shares her emotional struggles and her path to recovery, offering hope to others facing similar challenges.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness for Borderline Personality Disorder: Relieve Your Suffering Using the Core Skill of Dialectical Behavior Therapy
by Blaise Aguirre and Gillian Galen
New Harbinger Publications, 2013
This book introduces mindfulness as a cornerstone for managing BPD. It explains how present-moment awareness can reduce emotional suffering, improve self-control, and foster acceptance. The authors include practical exercises and real-life examples to help readers implement mindfulness in everyday life.
The Mindfulness Solution for Intense Emotions: Take Control of Borderline Personality Disorder with DBT
by Cedar R. Koons
New Harbinger Publications, 2016
Written by an experienced DBT therapist, this book offers mindfulness techniques specifically tailored to people with BPD. It covers observing thoughts and feelings without judgment, grounding in the present, and responding to triggers with calmness and clarity.
Mindfulness for Teen Anger: A Workbook to Overcome Anger & Aggression Using MBSR & DBT Skills
by Mark C. Purcell and Jason R. Murphy
Instant Help, 2014
Aimed at teens, this workbook combines mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and DBT skills to help young people manage anger and intense emotions, making it a useful resource for adolescents with BPD traits.
Wherever You Go, There You Are
by Jon Kabat-Zinn
30th anniversary edition, Balance, 2023
A mindfulness classic introducing meditation as a tool for managing emotions, finding peace, and cultivating self-awareness—valuable for those with BPD.
The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness
by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
Harmony, 2007
Combines neuroscience and Tibetan Buddhist wisdom to explore happiness, resilience, and mindfulness in everyday life.
Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind
by Kristin Neff
HarperCollins, 2011
A foundational book on self-compassion, explaining how treating yourself with kindness can improve emotional resilience and well-being.
Children’s Books on Borderline Personality Disorder
Millie the Cat Has Borderline Personality Disorder
by Jessie Shepherd
Bluefox Press, 2016
This gentle picture book introduces children to Millie, a cat who sometimes feels and acts in confusing ways. Through simple language and warm illustrations, the story helps kids understand that a loved one’s unpredictable emotions are not their fault. The book includes guidance for adults on discussing BPD with children and offers reassurance for kids living with a parent or relative who has the disorder.
The Weather House: Living with a Parent with Borderline Personality Disorder
by Lisa Laporte and Ronald Fraser
Second edition, PDAN Press, 2020
Using the metaphor of a weather house, this book helps children make sense of a parent’s rapidly changing moods. The story uses weather imagery—sunny, stormy, cloudy days—to explain emotional shifts and offers psycho-educational support and coping strategies. It reassures children that they are not responsible for their parent’s feelings and encourages them to seek support from trusted adults.
In My Corner on the Moon: A Story for Kids Who Experienced Trauma
by Rachel Rashkin-Shoot
PDAN Press, 2013
Targeted at children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, this book follows a young narrator as they navigate overwhelming emotions. It normalizes trauma responses and the healing process, using gentle language and interactive prompts to encourage open conversations between kids and caregivers.
An Umbrella for Alex
by Rachel Rashkin-Shoot
Second edition, PDAN Press, 2012
This picture book features a young boy learning how to cope with his mother’s unpredictable moods, explained as emotional “storms.” Through a metaphorical “umbrella,” the story offers comfort, understanding, and resilience for kids navigating a parent’s BPD-related mood swings.
Radical Acceptance and Grief
Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha
by Tara Brach
Updated edition, Bantam, 2004
Brach explores mindfulness and self-compassion as tools for embracing imperfections and emotional pain. She encourages readers to accept their experiences with kindness rather than resistance, making this approach particularly useful in navigating grief.
The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief
by Francis Weller
North Atlantic Books, 2015
Weller redefines grief as a communal and sacred process, arguing that healing comes from sharing sorrow in compassionate spaces. He highlights the deep connection between grief and gratitude, emphasizing the importance of rituals for processing loss.
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience
by Brené Brown
Random House, 2021
Brown maps out the emotional experiences that define our lives, offering research-based insights into vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She provides frameworks to better understand grief and loss, helping readers build self-awareness and emotional resilience.
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
by Don Miguel Ruiz
Tarcher, 1997
Ruiz presents four guiding principles—be impeccable with your word, don’t take things personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best—that encourage emotional freedom and personal transformation. His wisdom can be applied to grief by fostering acceptance, self-compassion, and resilience in times of loss.