1) I do NOT enjoy having HPD because, well, any personality disorder is painful (most are caused by early childhood trauma, after all), and because I love my husband and kids very much ... I WANT to be a fully devoted wife. But, HPD has made understanding boundaries challenging, flirtation second nature without even being cognizant of it at times, and inappropriate behavior with men (seduction, NOT sex) tempting, because seduction and attention give many of us a 'high' of sorts. It's how we learned to find value in ourselves growing up. As a wife, mother, and professional, I do NOT like these characteristics. But, I do love being charismatic and friendly, I love that I can make positive differences in my work environment and community because I am sooo good at 'being seen' easily and getting things to happen, and most of all, I love my ability to love most people very, very deeply and unconditionally (which I realize some people with HPD cannot do). I am learning to maintain my gregarious, social energy while addressing the aspects of HPD that could harm my hubby. I am learning! I am a work in progress, but I have to say, I'm working really hard, and I'm doing pretty well at finding this balance. I have to for my marriage and my children. And myself. They soooo deserve all of me.

2) Marilyn is a classic case of HPD: beautiful, seductive, craved attention desperately ... but she was (so it seems at least) so, so sad, and in so much pain. I see myself in her - in her sadness, her apparent sense of worthlessness without beauty, in her emptiness. I feel sad for her, and that makes me have compassion for her, but for me, too. Thinking about her and her sad short life makes me grateful that I am getting help, that I have love in my life, that I have 'settled down'.

My question for you, George: Have you had some really bad experiences with people dx-ed as HPD? If so, I'm sorry. I hope you know that, like any disorder, HPD has a huge spectrum of personalities tied to it. Yes, those of us with HPD desire attention and we can be very seductive ... BUT, we are not all cold or unable to love deeply. I love very deeply and feel a great deal of compassion. I've also been in a monogamous marriage for 16 years. So, I hope your past experiences don't color your view of all of us and stereotype us too much.