I had a chance to interview the author, Felicia Johnson, to learn more about Borderline Personality Disorder and the book.
Q. Why did you write this book?
A.
I wrote this book not evening knowing that I was writing a book at
first. When I was fifteen years old I lost my best friend to suicide.
She struggled with BPD. At the time, I didn't know what BPD was. I
struggled with Bipolar Disorder and I used to think that they were the
same thing. I kept journals and wrote about my friend and what it was
like to know her. She was most best friend I had ever had so I never
wanted to forget her. I wrote all about her, from the color of her eyes
to what it was like to know her, her friendship and life all the way
through to her death and how it effected me. When I started college, I
wanted to study Clinical Psychology and learn more about mental health
issues, especially about BPD. All of the books I had read were text
books. There wasn't anything available at the time that really put me
into the mind of someone who struggled with BPD. I couldn't get the real
raw emotion or feeling. I looked back at my journals I had written
along with notes I had taken in school and I began to write my own book
about a girl who struggles with BPD based on the life of my late best
friend and my own survival through domestic violence/child abuse. What
was born, is a book that really takes the reader into the mind of
someone who struggles with mental health issues. It is real, raw and
deeply emotional. It is a story that is written in fiction to tell a
story that people can relate to with the heart of a text book to help
educate people not only those who have BPD, but for their friends,
families and loved ones to gain a better understanding.
Q. How does Borderline Personality Disorder affect a person?
A.
In my experience, I had a best friend who had BPD. Although, she lost
her battle by committing suicide, it effected me deeply as her friend. I
loved her because she was a good, loyal and kind friend to me. She
showed me what true friendship is by accepting me for who I am. I did
the same with her. It hurt a lot when Holly took her life. But she did
leave me with a lifetime of memories that I'll never forget. She was my
first friend after my own abuse had ended. She was the first person of
my peers who told me that I was not alone.
Q. What are some things people should know if they have a friend or family member with Borderline Personality Disorder?
A.
Friends, families and loved ones of people who have BPD should know
that it is important to be supportive. This is necessary for anyone who
deals with mental health issues. Support, patience and love is needed
for recovery. It gets hard before it gets easier. Therefore, hang in
there together. You are not alone.
Q. Why are mental illness like Borderline Personality Disorder still so misunderstood?
A.
BPD can be misunderstood when there is a lack of education and
resources to help people in their recovery. It is easy to say things
like "get over it", "be happy", and "just stop it". Those are the wrong
things to say. If it was that easy to do those things, people who deal
with mental health issues would do just that! I encourage people to
educate themselves, receive and give support to those in need and share
and connect with others who are in similar situations. This way, you
don't feel alone or like all hope is lost. This goes for not only those
who have mental health issues but their friends, colleagues, and
families as well.
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