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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Stop Walking on Eggshells summary
Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care about Has Borderline Personality Disorder
18 mins
Brief summary
Stop Walking on Eggshells is a guidebook for understanding and dealing with people who have borderline personality disorder (BPD). It provides practical strategies and advice to help navigate difficult relationships and establish healthy boundaries.
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Stop Walking on Eggshells
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Understanding borderline personality disorder
As a boy, Ken never knew what to expect from his mother. One day she would be affectionate, drawing him close and remarking how special their bond was. The next, a trivial mistake would trigger a torrent of stinging criticism: he needed a haircut, his shirt was ugly, his manners were poor. His mother’s expectations shifted like sand, impossible to grasp.
Years later, Ken recognized his mother likely had borderline personality disorder. And yet this realization was insufficient to heal the wounds he’d received in childhood. He’d developed a suspicion of people and had a hard time forming close relationships. Even minor perceived slights from his wife unleashed an involuntary wave of hurt and anger, as if responding to his mother’s presence. He remained trapped, reliving childhood wounds inflicted by a troubled parent, powerless to break free.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex and often-misunderstood psychiatric condition characterized by difficulties with emotion regulation, impulsivity, and unstable interpersonal relationships. People with BPD struggle to maintain a stable sense of self and frequently alternate between idealizing and devaluing others. Their intense emotions and relationship difficulties make life challenging not only for themselves, but also for their loved ones.
Let’s take a closer look at this complex disorder.
First, what exactly are “personality disorders?” They’re a class of disorders that reflect not temporary moods or mere episodes of anxiety, but enduring and inflexible patterns – dysfunctional patterns of inner experience and interpersonal behavior that persist over time and across situations.
Personality disorders typically arise in adolescence or young adulthood. Although genetic factors may be involved, they’re seen as originating in deeply ingrained, maladaptive attempts to meet emotional needs and navigate the world.
So, what about the “borderline” part? This label arose from therapists' sense that patients were perched on the border between neurosis and psychosis. This idea has since been discarded, but the name has stuck. First described in the 1930s, today BPD is recognized as a distinct disorder affecting 1 to 2 percent of adults.
BPD is a controversial diagnosis. Notably, women are diagnosed more often than men. Some clinicians argue that it’s over-diagnosed, yet others miss its shifting symptoms entirely. Despite increased awareness in recent years, BPD remains highly stigmatized. Those suffering from it are often labeled as manipulative, attention-seeking, or beyond help.
In reality, many are simply trying to cope as best they can with excruciating inner turmoil. At its core, BPD symptoms stem from an unstable sense of self. Without an inner anchor, BPD sufferers desperately seek external sources of identity and self-worth. This manifests in a variety of difficult ways, which we’ll look at next.
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What is Stop Walking on Eggshells about?
Stop Walking on Eggshells (1998) offers a lifeline to the beleaguered loved ones of those suffering from borderline personality disorder. It provides techniques grounded in empathy and understanding to establish healthy boundaries without abandoning those in need.
Stop Walking on Eggshells Review
Stop Walking on Eggshells (2010) is an informative and insightful book that offers guidance on understanding and dealing with people who have borderline personality disorder. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With its practical strategies and expert advice, it provides valuable tools for communicating effectively and setting boundaries.
- Drawn from personal experiences and real-life stories, the book offers relatable examples that help readers gain a deeper understanding of the disorder.
- Its compassionate approach emphasizes empathy and self-care, making it a valuable resource for individuals who have loved ones with borderline personality disorder.
Who should read Stop Walking on Eggshells?
- Partners or family members of someone with borderline personality disorder
- Individuals seeking to understand personality disorders and emotional dysregulation
- Anyone searching for compassionate approaches to complex psychological issues
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Stop Walking on Eggshells FAQs
What is the main message of Stop Walking on Eggshells?
Stop Walking on Eggshells aims to provide understanding and strategies for those dealing with someone with borderline personality disorder.
How long does it take to read Stop Walking on Eggshells?
The reading time for Stop Walking on Eggshells can vary, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Stop Walking on Eggshells a good book? Is it worth reading?
Stop Walking on Eggshells is a valuable read for anyone seeking insights into borderline personality disorder and effective ways to cope.
Who is the author of Stop Walking on Eggshells?
Stop Walking on Eggshells is co-authored by Paul T. Mason and Randi Kreger.
What to read after Stop Walking on Eggshells?
If you're wondering what to read next after Stop Walking on Eggshells, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Complex Borderline Personality Disorder by Daniel J. Fox
- Codependent No More by Melody Beattie
- 5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life by Bill Eddy
- The Borderline Personality Disorder Workbook by Daniel J. Fox
- The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
- Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday
- The Game by Neil Strauss
- Talk to Me Like I'm Someone You Love by Nancy Dreyfus
- The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein
- Boundary Boss by Terri Cole