Famous cases of Borderline Personality Disorder (7 unique cases)

In this brief article we are going to discuss “famous cases of borderline personality disorder’’. We will be discussing those personalities who are doing perfect in their professional life despite their mental health struggles. 

Who are the famous cases of borderline personality disorder? 

Below are some famous cases of Borderline personality disorder:

• Doug ferrari
• Jim carrey
• Britney spears
• Elizabeth wurtzel
• Brandon marshall
• Gary david
• Ricky williams

What is Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline personality disorder is defined as mental illness with ongoing patterns of mood swings, atypical behaviour patterns and self image. Episodic anger, depression and anxiety is associated with BPD. 

BPD can also be defined as the mental health condition in which a person deals with emotions intensely.

What are the symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder?

BPD is defined as a more complex personality disorder, the intensity of emotions and pain is linked with irrational behaviours and impulsivity. People suffering from borderline personality disorder have unstable emotions and their likes and dislikes change quickly in a confusing way. Symptoms of BPD evince in many different ways, but for diagnosis purpose, mental health care professionals have grouped the symptoms in nine categories, on the basis of these symptoms a person is diagnosed with BPD.

Symptoms of BPD

Fear of abandonment

People with BPD have a tendency to have intense yet short-lived relationships. You can fall in love quickly, thinking that each new person will complete you, only to be disappointed soon after. Your relationships tend to be either perfect or bad, with no in-between. As a result of your rapid changes, your lovers, friends, and family members can experience emotional whiplash.

Unclear or shifting self-image

Your sense of self is normally dysfunctional when you have BPD. You may feel good about yourself at times, but you may despise or even despise yourself at other times. You most likely have no idea who you are or what you want out of life. As a result, you can change occupations, friends, lovers, religion, values, aspirations, and even sexual identity on a regular basis.

Impulsive, self-destructive behaviors

You can engage in negative, sensation-seeking behaviours if you have BPD, particularly when you’re upset. You can spend money you don’t have, binge eat, drive recklessly, shoplift, indulge in unsafe sex, or use drugs or alcohol excessively. These dangerous habits can make you feel better in the short term, but they are detrimental to you and those around you in the long run.

Self-Harm 

People with BPD are more likely to engage in suicidal activity and self-harm. Suicidal activity can range from contemplating suicide to making suicidal gestures or threats to actually attempting suicide. Any such attempts to harm themselves without suicidal intent are classified as self-harm. Cutting and burning are two common ways of self-harm.

Extreme emotional swings 

BPD is associated with irregular feelings and moods. You could be happy one minute and depressed the next. Small things that other people dismiss will send you into a tailspin of emotions. These mood swings are severe, but unlike the emotional swings associated with depression or bipolar disorder, they usually pass quickly, lasting just a few minutes or hours.

Chronic feelings of emptiness

People with BPD sometimes identify themselves as feeling hollow, as if they have a hole or void within them. You can feel as though you’re “nothing” or “nobody” at times. Since this sensation is unpleasant, you may try to fill it with substances such as narcotics, food, or sex. Nothing, however, feels completely satisfactory.

Explosive anger

You can struggle with extreme frustration and a short temper if you have BPD. If the fuse is lit, you can have difficulty controlling yourself, screaming, throwing things, or being fully consumed with rage. It’s worth noting that this rage isn’t necessarily directed at anyone. You could spend a lot of time hating yourself.

Feeling suspicious or out of touch with reality

Paranoia or suspicious feelings about others’ intentions are common in people with BPD. When you’re depressed, you may even lose contact with reality, which is referred to as dissociation. It’s likely that you’ll feel foggy, spacing out, or as though you’re not in your own body.

These are the nine symptoms of BPD, to diagnose BPD one must show at least five symptoms. 

If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.

What are the types of Borderline Personality Disorder?

There are four types of BPD:

• discouraged (“quiet”) borderline
• self-destructive borderline
• impulsive borderline
• petulant borderline

Co-occuring Mental disorders with BPD

Borderline personality disorder is rarely diagnosed on its own. Common co-occurring disorders include:

Bipolar Disorder or depressive disorder

Substance Abuse

Eating Disorder

Anxiety Disorder

Famous Cases of Borderline Personality Disorder

Following are the famous cases of Borderline Personality Disorder:

Doug Ferrari

He’s an American Comedian and writer. His career ended due to his mental illness and addiction and was homeless for a longer period of time, but then after treatment he was back in his profession and home. Doug has performed many benefits for homeless people. 

Jim Carrey 

Jim Carry is Canadian-American Comedian, actor, producer, writer and artist. Despite doing numerous comedic roles and being instrumental in making millions of people laugh, the actor has faced a great deal of depression which took him a while to embrace.

Britney Spears

Famous and renowned singer Britney Spears is a pop-icon and artist also famous for her struggles, and it is only speculated that the issues being faced by her in pursuit of her career resemble signs of BPD without an official diagnosis

Elizabeth Wurtzel

Famous Author Late Elizabeth Wurtzel, who died of cancer in 2020, was famous for writing “Prozac Nation: Young and Depressed in America.” She penned this memoir at the ripe old age of 26. Wurtzel battled serious mental health issues, but was able to communicate with the general public through the mode of her books which allowed her to open a dialogue about these common struggles with common people through her storytelling.

Brandon Marshall

Brandon Marshall is an NFL player who played in several teams. He holds the NFL record for most receptions in a single game. He is officially amongst one of several famous people with BPD who has been diagnosed as well and has opened up about his illness with the general public. 

Garry David

Garry David was a renowned Australian Criminal, who was also known as Garry Web. he belonged to a family with a history of addiction and father was habitual criminal and pedophile. Garry and his siblings lived their lives in an orphanage, lately he was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and with psychopathic traits. He remained in custody for a longer period of time as he murdered three people during robbery. He had a history of  swallowing razors and cutting parts of his body like ears and genitals.

Ricky Williams

Ricky Williams is a former running back in the National Football League. Williams has been frank about his battles with social anxiety disorder, borderline personality disorder, and avoidance disorder. During his football career, he said it was tough to deal with, and it always led to him running away from fans, refusing interviews, or doing them while wearing his helmet.

Some people also believe that Marilyn Monroe had Borderline Personality Disorder.

How is BPD treated?

Psychodynamic therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), Schema Focused therapy or psychiatric medications are among the first lines of treatment for BPD.

Mindfulness techniques, emotional control, anxiety tolerance, and interpersonal efficacy are all taught in DBT.

FAQs: Famous cases of Borderline Personality Disorder

Conclusion

In this article we have discussed famous cases of Borderline Personality disorder, their sufferings and achievements. Brief introduction of Borderline personality Disorder, with its types, symptoms and treatment.  

Reference

What Goes On In The Mind Of Someone With Borderline?

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

https://www.healthline.com/health/quiet-bpd#symptoms