What is BPD?

According to the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Clinical Practice Guidelines, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental illness that can make it difficult for people to feel safe in their relationships with other people, to have healthy thoughts and beliefs about themselves, and to control their emotions and impulses. People with BPD may experience distress in their work, family, and social life, and may harm themselves.

Borderline personality disorder can be difficult for other people to understand, and people with this disorder are often unfairly stigmatised.  It’s the most common personality disorder in Australia, affecting about 1-4% of the population at some time in their lives. It’s more commonly diagnosed in women, and usually the symptoms appear in the teenage years or early adulthood. 

There is a high risk of self-harm and suicide associated with BPD, although not everyone with the disorder will harm themselves. The good news is that with treatment and understanding, people with borderline personality disorder can lead fulfilling lives. People can and often do recover. 

The National BPD Conference plays a major role in correcting damaging myths and replacing stigma with a more positive evidence-driven outlook.

Australian Borderline Personality Disorder Foundation

If you or someone you know would like more information about BPD please click here to visit the Australian BPD Foundation website.

The  Australian BPD Foundation constitutes a mix of consumers, carers and clinicians which is integral to the orientation of the foundation. The Foundation is committed to getting the past out of the present by dispelling the myths and negative culture that has developed around BPD. The Foundation aims to create a more realistic culture of hope and optimism based on the reality that with access to appropriate treatment and support, the prognosis is positive! People can and do recover and lead meaningful and creative lives.

The vision of the foundation is to encourage a positive culture around BPD and the ready availability and accessibility of appropriate services for people with BPD and those that care for them.

The mission of the foundation is to promote a positive culture to support the recovery journey of people with BPD and their families/carers. The Foundation also supports clinicians, health care personnel and researchers working in this field and acknowledges everyone who works towards a better recognition of BPD