48 Comments
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Aaqiel Pillay's avatar

Your post gives hope to most people out there Jessica!

When people hear "personality disorder"...

They often think it's permanent.

But you're showing us the truth.

With the right treatment?

People heal.

DBT works.

Skills can be learned.

And the brain can change.

BPD isn't a "life sentence".

It's a condition that responds to treatment.

And knowing this?

Changes our view and perception of how we see it.

Thanks for the awesome post!

JD BANKS's avatar

great piece to raise awareness here!

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

Appreciate that

“Marty”'s avatar

Good read 🔥 … where can I listen to the audio version ???

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

thanks!!! you can listen to the audio version by clicking the voice over at the top of the article or you can listen on my podcast on spotify as well!!!!

Lowcountry Wildfire 🔥's avatar

Appreciate this piece, Jessica. The 'CEO of BPD' framing cuts clean through the noise—turns a heavy label into something you can actually lead and shape. Solid hope grounded in real tools like DBT, practical ways to help without losing your own ground, and no false promises. Clarity like this is rare. Thanks for the steady hand on the wheel. -wildfire 🔥

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

are you the CEO of BPD? someone you know have it? DBT is really really powerful especially for personality disorders, but really anyone can benefit from DBT!

Lowcountry Wildfire 🔥's avatar

No im not. I gave you the title because how knowledgeable you are on it. Good work.

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

wow! thank you so much, Wildfire! I'm honored! stay tuned for a follow-up article on BPD very soon!!

Dr Sam Illingworth's avatar

Thank you, Jess, for this extremely informative and considered piece about a very sensitive topic.

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

Thank you, Dr. Sam. I’m glad you found it informative!!

Chris B. Writes's avatar

Jessica you are educating so many people with this post and all of your insightful posts. Thank you!

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

thank you so much, Chris! I'm grateful you found this piece educating!! any other mental health conditions you'd like to see in another deep dive?

Chris B. Writes's avatar

I’ve read a lot of people on here on Substack mention dealing with imposter syndrome — I think that could be a really helpful deep dive for some!

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

here is the link! let me know if this article suffices or I should do a deeper dive! appreciate you so much, Chris! @chrisbwrites

https://open.substack.com/pub/npfellowjess/p/the-1-skill-you-need-in-2026?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

also my weekly skill article #1 (paid article) is about how to overcome imposter syndrome, the skill is called "identity bridging"

https://www.npfellowcollective.com/p/weekly-skill-identity-bridging?r=2glptb&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Chris B. Writes's avatar

Yes that’s right! Very helpful for people!

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

thank you, Chris!!

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

thanks, Chris! I actually have an article about overcoming imposter syndrome!!!

Dr. Cort's avatar

Great article, Jessica. Also a boost for DBT. Several years ago, I ran a DBT group and so many of the skills are applicable to just about everyone. Particularly skills around interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness.

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

that’s awesome, Dr. Cort! i’m currently in an intensive therapy program and doing DBT!! its been life-changing for me.

Lisa Ann Wilson's avatar

I dated someone who I believe had BPD and it was HELL. I spent the entire relationship navigating a mine field. Felt like a war zone. I stayed way too long - because most people with BPD it seems don’t know or even care that they have it because everything is “everyone else’s fault.”

Great article and my hope is that those with it recognize they need help and seek out that help, and those affected by it by proximity ultimately know when to jump ship and care for their mental well-being. ❤️

PostPlandemicChronicles's avatar

Yeah, I too had my Nightmare experience two years ago. I suspect she had more NPD than BPD and the two have overlapping symptoms. I never met a more cold blooded manipulator in my life. Absolutely no empathy. Met her days after she was released from jail for domestic violence. I too stayed way too long, from the love bombing and sex. I had to get help after the discard. It was the most dumpster fire mindfuck that ever happened to me and hopefully never again! It’s how I discovered my codependency that I’ve mostly worked out of after therapy and Coda meetings.

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

wow, thank you for sharing about your experience with dating someone with BPD again! you're so strong and I'm glad youre no longer in that relationship. BPD is very debilitating for both sides. and with personality disorders, people tend to have 2-3 different types all at once. so most likely your partner had NPD too which just makes everything worse!! you nailed it with absolutely no empathy as narcissists don'y typically have any or the ability to show love.

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

you’re a trooper, Lisa! seriously! dating someone with BPD is a lot of work and preparation and pre-planning and anticipating explosions. those diagnosed usually dont want to change since its part of their “personality” thats why its such a difficult condition to have.

thank you so much for reading, Lisa! I appreciate you more than you know. 🐐

Lisa Ann Wilson's avatar

Thank you Jess! Appreciate you too.

Anna Luna-Raven's avatar

Thanks for this, Jessica! I, as you know, also write for and work with people struggling with mental health issues. I appreciate this article, made me understand BPD better, and how I can help. 🙏🏻

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

most definitely! if theres any other mental health conditions you want me to deep dive to help you help others better let me know! next up is pure OCD.

Anna Luna-Raven's avatar

I'll keep a lookout on your pub for the next series of articles. They are so helpful! 🤩

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

stay tuned! I got a follow-up BPD article coming out tomorrow morning at 7am EST!!

Anna Luna-Raven's avatar

Looking forward to reading it 😘

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

appreciate u, Anna!!

Lynn J. Broderick's avatar

I've heard of BPD, but never knew much about it. Your post does a great job explaining it.

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

thank you, Lynn! BPD can be a very rough condition to have or live with someone who does. i’m glad you have an understanding of it now! are there any other deep dives of mental health conditions you’d like me to cover or you’ve been interesting in learning about? I love doing deep dive posts.

Lynn J. Broderick's avatar

Have you ever written about OCD? I know someone who has it and I’d love to know more.

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

dude we are always on the same wavelength 😅🤣 it's like you read my mind! my next deep dive I was going to publish was actually going to be about OCD, specifically pure OCD, so stay tuned!! appreciate you so much.

Lynn J. Broderick's avatar

Perfecto!

Eladio Matos's avatar

Thanks for this deep dive, Jessica! I did not know much about BPD until reading this article. I touched on it a bit in my undergrad program.

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

You’re welcome, Eladio! Thank you so much for reading. Are there any other mental health conditions that stood out to you or that you remember reading about during your schooling?

Eladio Matos's avatar

Hi Jessica,

There were quite a few, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is one. Autism Spectrum also stood out. There was also schizophrenia. I found all of these to be quite interesting.

Jess's avatar

This one hits home as I'm supporting someone I deeply care for who has bpd.

Educating yourself is definitely needed, thank you for this post Jess.

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

You’re welcome, Jess! I glad you found it helpful. It can be rough on either side of the condition. Great work giving that person your support. 🫶🏼

Cathy Perez's avatar

So helpful

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

Appreciate you!

Denise Servais's avatar

Thanks Jessica. I’ve always wanted to know more about BPD, as I think someone close to me has this. This was helpful.

Jessica Drapluk's avatar

Hi Denise! I’m glad this was helpful for you. BPD is a rough condition to live with for both the person who has it and the person or people living with that person so I wanted to spread some awareness and shed some light of hope and help for both individuals or family.