Borderline Personality Disorder Websites Reviewed by Abby Dalenberg

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1 Borderline Personality Disorder Websites Reviewed by Abby Dalenberg Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2008). Borderline personality disorder. The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research was formed by a reputable medical institution. Their scientifically-based expertise is provided to the public via the Mayo Clinic website. The website provides clear and concise information regarding myriad medical conditions and mental health disorders including Borderline Personality Disorder. The wording is simple and easy for anyone with elementary reading level to comprehend. It objectively covers the symptoms, etiology, risk factors, related tests, complications, and treatment of the disorder. The site also includes a section concerning when to get help and beneficial lifestyle changes. Although the pages contain relevant information, they were established in There are perhaps more insights into the disorder that could be included. The website also gives a very basic overview of the illness. A person who wants to know in-depth information about this topic would need to find other resources. Furthermore, the website does not directly cite the scientific basis for the information. This makes it difficult to ascertain the quality of the research and accuracy of the information. Nevertheless, the website does not overwhelm the reader with information and is a good reference for the general public.

2 National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder. (2010). National education alliance for borderline personality disorder. This is a comprehensive and professional website dedicated to those struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and their families or other loved ones. The homepage of the website features a video of inspiration, a place to donate money, upcoming events in the BPD community, and a recommended scholarly article among other elements. It also contains links to surveys, research projects, recent study findings, and family support information. The information on the website seems to be gleaned from up-to-date research by notable figures in this particular area of study. The website is geared toward the well-educated consumer who is interested in the scientific piece. However, it contains a great deal of information, some of which is formatted in a very small font. This can be overwhelming to the casual reader and especially those with lower reading capabilities. The video is particularly aimed at giving the viewers hope. It accomplishes this while also normalizing concerns and encourages viewers to access other website features. Overall, the website is very useful and appears to provide accurate information. Borderline Central. (2010). Borderline personality disorder information and support. BPDCentral.com is a simple, yet may be a powerful resource for the anyone who is involved with a person, whether by familial ties or a significant relationship, who has Borderline Personality Disorder. The website includes numerous books authored by Randy Kreger who maintains the website. It is very easy to read and strives to give readers a realistic picture of

3 what BPD looks like while it interjects some humor into the literature. Kreger s website includes two special features. It contains a link to the Welcome to Oz Online Community for Family Members and lists several unique resources such as find a therapist, media kit, and hiring an attorney. Although this website looks somewhat unprofessional, the information for family members seems relevant. It provides several key sections that help a reader to decide if a loved one may have BPD. The author asks the reader many questions with regard to whether the person causes a lot of pain as well as thoughts and behaviors the person with BPD may have. Although Kreger is also a blogger for Psychology Today, there is no apparent evidence that any of the site information is based on scientific research. It appears that the website information is primarily developed around anecdotal evidence. Therefore, it is difficult to evaluate the accuracy of the information. Although the website was formed to support the loved ones of people with BPD, it also appears to be an advertising mechanism for Kreger s books. Despite these concerns, it may be a website that is useful for people who are struggling to determine whether a loved one may have this disorder. BPD Today (2010). Borderline personality disorder links. This site is a compilation of links to other websites that are specifically focused on Borderline Personality Disorder as well as other general websites that may have some BPD-related information. The links have relatively few descriptors, so each person must go through each link to determine if each specific website would be useful or not.

4 The Google advertisements combined with the lack of organization among the various links seems somewhat overwhelming to the reader. In addition, the types of links on the website seem to be completely random. In addition, they do not provide enough additional information. Therefore, it requires the reader to research each link. If someone takes the time to research each link, a practical website may be discovered. Otherwise, Borderline Personality Disorder Today is unprofessional, stilted, and choppy. My Life Strategy (2009). Borderline personality support: Recovery is possible. This website briefly describes Borderline Personality Disorder and lists over thirty questions that are tailored to specific criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-Text Revision. The homepage also includes some statistics related to recovery from BPD. A phone number to reserve a session with Tami Green, a Life Coach who has BPD, is at the top of the homepage. Further exploration of the website reveals information about Life Coaching, Life Coach Certification, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, articles about Tami Green, endorsements of Tami Green, useful links, and a store. In the online store, one can buy Green s books, life coach sessions, as well as seminar, telecourse, and retreat packages focused on the treatment and support of BPD. Links to YouTube videos of Tami Green speaking at conferences are also included on the website. Green s page is very organized and has a professional appearance. With the inclusion of her own story, she has successfully created a website that inspires hope for people with Borderline Personality Disorder. However, the degree to which her website should be used as a resource for

5 people with Borderline Personality Disorder is questionable at best. The website, while informative and supportive in nature, gives the impression that it is also a for-profit venture.