Stronger Than BPD: The Girl's Guide to Taking Control of Intense Emotions, Drama, and Chaos Using DBT by Debbie Corso

Stronger Than BPD: The Girl's Guide to Taking Control of Intense Emotions, Drama, and Chaos Using DBT Reviews

• 
  Diana

  Maybe for some people who are new to DBT this book will be helpful as it talks about mindfulness, about coping mechanisms, dealing with intense emotions and is full of examples.
  But for me it wasn't all that great as it was way to personally charged by the author experience and POW and some neutrality would have been better IMO. Also I found it could have provided a better psychological background.
• 
  Brandi

  Debbie Corso's "Stronger Than BPD: The Girl's Guide to Taking Control of Intense Emotions, Drama, and Chaos Using DBT" is an excellent resource for young ladies dealing with borderline personality disorder. As a psychology student, I find many of New Harbinger's publications quite invaluable in learning more about many of the issues we tend to skirt around in many of the classes. Ms. Corso is a "mental health blogger and is in recovery from BPD" (Back Cover of ARC, 2017) so she has first hand knowledge of many of the topics discussed in this book. My favorite section was "Coping Effectively with Distress"; there is a lot of useful information here.
  I would recommend this book to young ladies with the disorder as well as those studying psychology. It would be an excellent point of reference for any discussions or reports concerning BPD. My copy of this book was obtained from the Goodreads website and I appreciate the opportunity to read and review it.
• 
  Eve beinguniquebooks

  I have reviewed this book as it was sent to me for review kindly from the publishers.
  
  I have to say firstly, I recommend this book if you or someone you know has Borderline Personality Disorder. I personally have a friend who has been diagnosed with BPD and she wants to read this book now too after me telling her about it.
  
  In the book the author describes how the condition can cause such intense emotions that lead to uncontrollable situations. The author describes how she ended up in accident and emergency most times as no one else could help to keep her calm as often is the way with people with BPD, my friend is the same.
  
  BPD can be triggered by traumatic events, suppressed memory can also lead to PTSD and that often coincides with BPD.
  
  Dialectical Behavior Therapy is used to treat suicidal patients with a BPD diagnosis. Obviously the overall aim is to prevent the situation of suicide but also teaching skills to be able to cope more with the BPD and running emotions.
  
  The basic breakdown of DBT comes into four categories;
  
  Personal relationships, coping with distress, paying attention to your life, coping with your emotions.
  
  The activities in the book are capable for BPD sufferers and others alike with mental health issues such as bipolar disorder.
  For example the most common technique mentioned in the book is mindfulness which is very popular anyway, focusing on living in the moment and not focussing on the past you.
  
  This book has been a very eye opening read into the world of Borderline Personality Disorder. I am definitely more aware of how others with the condition must feel in certain situations now too.
• 
  SheAintGotNoShoes

  Very incomplete book. It focuses too much on the borderlines 'flaws' or 'misconceptions', but does not address at all, that many times borderlines have people in their lives who are so emotionally unavailable, unreliable, use us for sex, money, etc, abusive, etc that our reactions can be over the top due to being treated badly and our reactions are not quite so 'unstable' as if we were dealing with someone who is fairly rational and consistent but once in a while is human and just makes a mistake. Two totally different types of people. She makes no mention at all at what borderlines can do to chose our company more wisely to reduce the anger and bitterness of not being treated well and creating 'drama', or how to get out of unhealthy relationships that make our syntoms continue or made worse.
• 
  Jenny

  Excellent ! Easy to read.
• 
  Jade Pope

  A very good introduction to the world of dbt thoroughly enjoyed learning and adapting my behaviours through this book
• 
  Toyin A

  The first thing that came to mind when I read this book was how this book addresses people who haven't figured out a way to rein in their intense emotions.
  
  Debbie discusses Borderline Personality Disorder, how she was diagnosed and measures she implements to manage it.
  
  She focuses on the use of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). DBT is a set of highly effective skills that helps treat chronic suicidality in patients diagnosed with BPD.
  
  There are many lessons to learn especially mindfulness. You don't necessarily need to have BPD to learn healthy habits, effective ways of living and expressing emotions in a better way.
  
  Rating: 4/5
  
  Favourite quote: "We can learn to accept the reality that we cannot completely avoid upsetting circumstances and situations. We can learn to accept and deal with the fact that some issues can’t be resolved as quickly as we’d like and that we can find ways to skilfully wait things out"
• 
  Joyce

  I read the Kindle version of this book and finished it in one day. I could not stop reading it! Debbie shares Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills, along with real-word examples from her own life. It is inspiring! I loved this part:
  
  It can be really painful to be in this particular mental space, so it makes sense to me that when we are hurt, we sometimes judge. That way, we can put the blame on someone or something else and make them “wrong” and us “right.” It’s a defense mechanism to reduce the hurt. If that person is a jerk because she forgot to write me down or he’s self-absorbed because he’s canceling our dinner plans, I don’t have to focus too much on the fact that I feel disappointed, sad, and maybe even disrespected, all of which are difficult emotional states to bear when you are sensitive. *
  
  People don’t understand this and think that we are manipulating them and judging on purpose. For me, it wouldn’t even be a conscious decision. We do most of our BPD behaviours automatically. That’s where DBT comes in. While our behaviours can seem automatic, we can practice DBT skills until they also become automatic. Try it for yourself.
  
  There are resources for further information in the back of the book. This book is great for anyone who has Borderline Personality Disorder, BPD traits or emotional sensitivity.
  
  I highly recommend you order this book today and begin doing the exercises in it to change your life for the better.
• 
  Amanda

  I do not have BPD, at least to my knowledge. I read this book in hopes that it would give me some guidelines about DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). I expected it to be a little cheesy and not very technical as it was not written by a psychologist, but even that was looking for a bit too much. I finished reading it, and I'm still not sure what DBT is, what to expect, or how to apply it.
  
  Both the title and the content seem as though the author intended it to be geared towards girls or young women. If this was the first self help book I ever read when I was a pre-teen, it might have been helpful. However, almost all of the personal examples used come from the life or are aimed at the lives of an adult. Not even necessarily an adult woman, just...an adult.
  
  Sadly, I have to report I was underwhelmed. There are some good exercises sprinkled throughout the chapters, which merits adding at least one star to the review. If you are looking for something substantial and comprehensive, however, I would suggest looking elsewhere.
  
  
• 
  tiph

  Great book for practicing DBT skills
  
  Though it was unnecessarily gendered (there was nothing female-specific within the dbt skills presented), it was a great and accessible look at actually using the skills and real world examples and exercises to practice and absorb the information. It's a great alternative to those impersonal dbt workbooks that feel dry and condescending.
  However, I would say that the book built on information about DBT, and may not work as a standalone for everyone. For BPD sufferers, it's probably best used in tangent with a therapist or one of the aforementioned DBT workbooks.
• 
  Katherine Brant

  I've read much better books on DBT and mindfulness, I assumed because this is a book for people with bpd it would aim the mindfulness at the more ridiculous situations and states we often get our self's into.
  DBT and mindfulness is fantastic for people with bpd but what I wanted from this book was higher more solid forms of it like what I can do if I've just gone mental at work and embarrassed myself. Staying calm and counting to ten is not good enough advice. I really thought this was going to help my bpd but honestly it's a deep as a kids paddling pool.
  
  I bought the journal version as well maybe that's more practically useful!
• 
  Adrienne S

  First of all, this book will only really be relevant to you if you have BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) yourself, or if you have a friend or loved one with BPD, or if you just really have a strong interest in BPD.
  
  Since I have recently been diagnosed with BPD, I decided to give this book a try. I felt that I could really use any advice it had to give, so I had nothing to lose by reading it, and it’s a short little book anyway.
  
  Overall, I’d say it’s an okay book. I wasn’t overly satisfied with it but I wasn’t exactly disappointed either. It was interesting to read the thoughts of someone else diagnosed with BPD but it was more of just an encouragement than actual real advice, if that makes sense.
  
  It was nice reading something filled with so much positivity about the disorder, so if you’re just looking for a short, positive read, this might be the book for you. Overall, however, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it as I believe there’s other books that might be more worth your time.
• 
  Amy

  I will recommend this book to my clients and not only the ones struggling with BPD, but any intense emotion. This book is one of the more validating and gentle mannered mental health books I have read. Although not clinically written and it could go WAAAAYYY more in depth with examples and exercises, this book still provided essential information and helpful tactics. Perhaps Corso will publish another book to use in collaboration
• 
  Corina

  Best help for me. I dont do groups well, and with COVID-19 this book has been a great help to self healing and helping me move forward. When you loose yourself, your job, your relationships, your identity, this book helps put you back together with compassion and understanding. Thank you for publishing such a book. I appreciate it immensely.
• 
  Jade Pope

  A brilliant introduction into the dbt world
  
  for me this was a very informative and inspiring book it made me think about my self destructive behaviour and how I can change them with the skill of dbt
• 
  Whitney

  This was helpful but a little too focused on the authors life
• 
  Bina Artiste

  It’s like pulling skeletons out of the closet
• 
  M. Lia

  Worth reading. Debbie's terrific!
• 
  Deidre

  Basic
• 
  Colleen

  A great introduction to the world of dbt giving simple exercises to get you ready for the intensive therapy that dbt it.
• 
  Jason Powers

  I just started reading Debbie Corso's book today, March 23 2017, as I found it at Barnes & Nobles.
  
  First, I want to commend the author for her successful journey from the depths of BPD (emotionally sensitive) and CPTSD. One has to acknowledge that her trek took her deep inside to realms she had rather have ignored, than to reveal. It isn't easy mining experiences and accounting for many years and failed occurrences to "make it" out in this ever hectic world.
  
  Early on in the book, she mentioned, "embrace the difficult parts," of herself. And that is quintessentially the best, and only, strategy in coming to real grips with BPD. Build a resilient nature through embracing those difficult parts. Self-understanding takes time; it's a process, as Ms. Corso herself knows, and speaks to in her empathy-laden book.
  
  Ms. Corso lays out the journey very simply, using the methods found in DBT. I could hear (not literally) her voice in the opening chapters, as I just read through her process of gaining mindfulness, focusing in the present - on one task - to achieve a balance to one's self.
  
  So far, I believe she hasn't disappointed in the slightest. Meaning: she has a story to tell on how to achieve success in this most difficult of Cluster B personality disorders to diagnose, treat, and overcome the traits of towards a better path.
  
  I will complete the book as soon as I can - with an overall look at the outcome. So far, it's enjoyable, personable, and easy to understand and read.
  
  (Side note: This reviewer was involved many years ago with a BPD-traited woman (2000-2002). I only then slightly suspected it, after a very tumultuous ride where as a man, with his own set of issues, had to first figure himself out, and then embrace what was left after the dust settled. Only in 2015-2016, did I revisit the prior relationship topic. So, between a health dosage of Youtube (Debbie's channel) and various books on BPD, and tangentially related topics, I came to further empathize with that person, as I tried before, but with little success, and mostly triggering her worst outbursts.)
• 
  Tess Klaver

  A solid and simple introductory book for those new to DBT and looking for a non-stigmatizing and accessible read.
  
  With that said, I feel like some of the skills sections and examples of how/when to use particular skills could have been richer, and that a number of the examples for when one might use a skill were unlikely to resonate for someone who is deeply and regularly experiencing significant distress. I wish there had been more of a trauma informed lens and a focus on supporting one’s self through self harm and suicidal ideation.
• 
  Megan Holstein

  It took me all of one day to read this book. Why? Because it was so immensely helpful. It gave me the tools to start putting my life back together. Reading this book produced a nearly instant change in my mindset that has improved the way I relate to myself and others. If you’re emotionally sensitive and looking for an instant leg up, this book is it.
• 
  Gizzard

  Thanks to the publisher for a preview copy through NetGalley. I've been very impressed with this publisher and their books on many mental health topics as well as the availability of preview copies.
  
  Dialectical Behavior Therapy is the standard treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder and this book is written by an author with BPD. (I'll let you research the topic) HOWEVER! DBT is an intensive treatment program that would be helpful to many people. This book talks about Ms. Corso's journey to better relationships and a calmer life. She outlines and gives good examples of the skills taught in DBT.
  
  I wasn't sure whether I wanted to give this book a 4 or a 5 because some of the behavior that is discussed (before better managing situations through dbt) might be a bit too extreme for people unfamiliar with BPD to relate to. I've tried to incorporate some of the DBT skills into my life. But, I can't imagine (and was a bit thrown by the description of) driving up behind a slow driver and honking my horn and flashing my lights-I might make an illegal passing move, but not such direct aggression.
  
  But.. the book is written for people with BDP and it gives some great straight forward advice and description of some of the tools that could help most anyone. This book is highly recommended as self help for people with depression, anxiety or anyone wanting to improve interpersonal relationship skills really. I think of DBT as kind of how to act and control yourself 101, many of us could use these skills.