Thank You very much for this article. I had to read it twice because much of what you wrote I had often wondered about myself, but was unable to articulate it, and was so excited that I was racing through it.. I am going to read it again too. You have given me a bit of peace of mind. I am new to the diagnosis but have been in and out of the psychiatric system for over 30 years. I was SO unhappy when diagnosed, I felt that it was just another slap in the face, because having felt quite misunderstood by Mental Health 'Professionals'...here I am being given this 'awful' new label. I suddenly feel more ok about it now because your article tells me that we are being viewed unfairly and by attaching this label just adds to the feeling of hopelessness. Thank You for all the time you have put into your research and your refusal to accept this label. I think you should write a book(you have a wonderful command of language). It is so great that, at a young age, rather than sit around and just wither in 'BPD' you have found life and all the good it can offer. Thank you.