The Buddha and the Borderline by Kiera Van Gelder

The Buddha and the Borderline is the memoir of a woman diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD.)  She is determined not to give in to this devastating disorder and turns to dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and Buddhism.

The author shares the most intimate parts of her life with readers, including self-injury, suicide, psychiatric hospitalizations, therapy, issues with her parents, romantic relationships, and spirituality.  

Starting in the prologue there are very graphic descriptions of self-harm.  This could help others to understand what is going on in the head of someone with BPD, but could be very triggering to those who struggle with self-injury.

The book was well written and at times entertaining.  The information and insight on borderline personality disorder and DBT was interesting and helpful, and the author's determination to recover was inspiring.  

Buddhism played a smaller part than I expected from reading the title, and at times I would have appreciated a little more background to better understand the way studying this religion actually benefited her.

As a person with BPD I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to other people diagnosed with this disorder and to their families.  I don't know how interested others would be in this story.