Borderline personality disorder is often stigmatized, with a significant number of professionals within the industry regarding borderline patients with contempt. As one psychiatrist told anthropologist Tanya Lurhmann, “if you’re talking to a patient and it feels like your internal organs are being turned into hamburger meat, she’s probably borderline.” This harsh and dehumanizing perspective is alarmingly common and contributes to the intense stigma faced by individuals given a diagnosis of BPD.

But what if we looked at BPD not as a disorder of personality, but as a disorder of relationships? Most people diagnosed with BPD grew up in situations where their very existence as a person with independent thoughts and feelings was invalidated. They overwhelmingly experienced their early lives as involving constant messages that they do not—and should not—fully exist. These invalidating environments shape behaviors that, while once adaptive, become problematic as they carry into adulthood.

Join me as I explore these profound insights through the work of anthropologist and psychotherapist Rebecca J. Lester. We’ll uncover how societal and familial invalidation can lead to the behaviors associated with BPD and discuss why clinicians often dread working with these patients. Through compelling quotes and real-life examples, this episode will challenge your understanding of BPD and offer a new perspective on the resilience and struggles of those living with it.

By the end of this episode, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of BPD, not just as a clinical diagnosis, but as a complex interplay of personal history and relational dynamics. You’ll learn how relationships can both exacerbate and alleviate the symptoms associated with the BPD label, offering a path to healing and growth. Don’t miss this eye-opening discussion that will change how you perceive mental health, relationships, and the resilience of the human spirit. Tune in to uncover the lessons from the borderline and discover a new perspective on what it means to struggle and survive.

UNLOCK THE FULL VERSION OF THIS EPISODE: visit https://www.patreon.com/backfromtheborderline to join the community on Patreon. From here, you'll be able to access all full-length (and ad free!) episodes of BFTB, opening up hundreds of hours of additional bonus content.

CONTACT ME CHECK OUT MORE OF MY WORK: To read my Substack articles, access my Amazon book recommendation list, submit a voicemail, or contact me for collaborations, visit backfromtheborderline.com.

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Join me for a compelling exploration into the intersection of trauma, folklore, and the supernatural with psychotherapist and author Alex Monk. In this episode, we delve into his book, Trauma and the Supernatural in Psychotherapy: Working with the Curse Position in Clinical Practice, which integrates psychoanalytic theory, anthropology, and esoteric philosophy to offer a new perspective on trauma therapy.

Alex shares his insights on how traumatic experiences interact with unconscious fantasies rooted in folklore and the supernatural. We discuss his concept of the "curse position" and its relation to deeply ingrained trauma responses. Discover how the mythopoetic imagination can be both a source of suffering and a pathway to healing, and learn about the role of "magical consciousness" in therapeutic practice.

We explore the haunting nature of family structures, the therapeutic benefits of viewing clients' experiences through a lens of empowerment rather than pathology, and the importance of narrative in overcoming trauma. Alex also highlights the parallels between historical scapegoating, like the persecution of witches, and modern psychiatric labels, offering a more compassionate understanding of conditions such as BPD.

Listen in as Alex Monk discusses the role of art, mythology, and folklore in therapy, the healing potential of engaging with the archaic unconscious, and the delicate balance of recognizing 'clairvoyant' sensitivities in traumatized individuals. This episode promises to challenge your perceptions and provide you with new tools for understanding and healing from trauma.

Tune in for an enlightening conversation that bridges the worlds of psychology, spirituality, and the supernatural, offering deep insights into the complex legacy of trauma and the transformative power of narrative.

✧ Click here to subscribe to Alex’s Substack “The Logic of the Cat”

✧ Click here to view Alex’s website or book a consultation

✧ Click here to buy/read Trauma and the Supernatural in Psychotherapy

CONTACT ME + UNLOCK PREMIUM: To join the Premium Submarines on Patreon (unlocking full + ad-free episodes), check out my sponsors and book recommendations, or contact me directly, visit backfromtheborderline.com.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this podcast episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for treatment or consultation with a licensed mental health professional.

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Have you ever felt like everything you once knew is crumbling around you? Or perhaps you're grappling with a profound inner turmoil that seems to defy explanation? You might be experiencing a Dark Night of the Soul—a profound transformation that challenges the very fabric of your identity and existence.

Join me as we unravel what a Dark Night of the Soul really is, distinguishing it from ordinary hardships and depression. We'll explore the intense, often terrifying feelings of emptiness and despair that mark this spiritual crisis, and discuss why it's not just a struggle, but a sacred rite of passage that can lead to profound personal growth and enlightenment.

If you listen through to the end, you’ll learn how to recognize if you're undergoing this dark spiritual journey and gain valuable strategies to navigate through it. From maintaining your spiritual practice to embracing the transformative pain, I’ll equip you with the tools to not only survive but also thrive through this pivotal phase of your life.

This episode isn't just about enduring darkness; it's about discovering the light that emerges from it. Tune in to find out how facing the darkest nights of your soul can ultimately lead you to a brighter, more authentic existence. Whether you're in the throes of this spiritual ordeal or just curious about its profound impact, this episode will offer you insights, hope, and the reassurance that you're not alone on this journey.

UNLOCK THE FULL VERSION OF THIS EPISODE: visit https://www.patreon.com/backfromtheborderline to join the community on Patreon. From here, you'll be able to access all full-length (and ad free!) episodes of BFTB, opening up hundreds of hours of additional bonus content.

CONTACT ME CHECK OUT MORE OF MY WORK: To read my Substack articles, access my Amazon book recommendation list, submit a voicemail, or contact me for collaborations, visit backfromtheborderline.com.

acast+ https://plus.acast.com/s/back-from-the-borderline.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.