Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious psychiatric illness. People that are diagnosed with this disorder suffer from an intense pattern of affective instability, extreme difficulties in interpersonal relationships, problems with behavioral or impulse control, and disrupted cognitive processes. The estimated prevalence of BPD in the general adult population is about 2%, mostly affecting young women. Susanna Kaysen was born on November 11, 1948 in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Carl and Annette Kaysen. Susanna attended high school at the Commonwealth School in Boston, and also The Cambridge School. In 1967, at the age of 18 she was sent to McLean Hospital to undergo psychiatric treatment for depression. She was initially institutionalized for taking a bottle of aspirin and washing it down with a bottle of vodka. She claimed that she was not trying to kill herself, but only trying to get rid of a headache. It was at Mclean hospital that she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. She was released after eighteen months. She later drew on this experience for her 1993 book Girl,
Interrupted, which was made into a film in 1999, her role being played by Winona Ryder.
Borderline Personality Disorder often occurs together with other psychiatric problems, particularly bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and other personality disorders. With borderline personality disorder your image of yourself is distorted, making you feel worthless and fundamentally flawed. Your anger, impulsivity and frequent mood swings may push others away, even though you desire loving relationships. People with BPD often have highly unstable patterns of social relationships. While they can develop intense but stormy attachments, their attitudes toward family, friends, and loved ones may suddenly shift from great admiration and love to intense anger and dislike. Even with family members, individuals with BPD are highly sensitive