Girl Interrupted - Border Personality Disorder

I was familiar with Borderline Personality Disorder long before I saw the movie Girl, Interrupted. BPD is primarily found in females. It's been theorized that this is because males with it just end up in jail, rather than receiving treatment. 

Usually they are alternately aggressive, depressed, and affectionate. The theory is that they feel all emotions more strongly than people without the disorder. There are some theories floating around about the limbic system being responsible. Usually they are impulsive in several areas, maybe they spend needlessly, drive too fast, drink/smoke/do drugs, gamble, are promiscuous (mentioned in the movie)... 

It is often misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder, but bipolar disorder is frequently a psychotic disorder. People with Borderline Personality Disorder aren't psychotic (though they may have depressions, or rages that make them temporarily psychotic.) They're aware that something is not right, but desperately act out in order to qwell an overactive emotional center. 

They often have shifting ideas of self, such as not knowing what they want to do in life until late, changing careers, or sexualities frequently. This is a source of frustration, which is further exageratted by an already sensitive emotionality. These are compounded by periods of dysphoria and disassociation. 

In the beginning of the movie, Susanna says that her arm had no bones in it. She felt suddenly removed from a part of her body. Other ways that this can manifest are feeling like you're outside of your body looking at things, no longer remembering exactly who or what you are, feeling completely numb and devoid of feeling. 

Often, and understandably, people with Borderline Personality Disorder are often suicidal, and inclined towards self-mutilization. Harming themselves often provides a release (most probably because of the chemical rush that happens when injury is sustained on the body.) There are many accounts of a person with BPD saying that they harm themselves most when they are feeling "not real". They say that it reminds them that they exist and then they feel better. 

The most frustrating part of having Borderline Personality Disorder is probably the constant shifting of emotions. Agitation is sometimes triggered simply by imagined tresspasses. A fight in the relationship may be sparked because the person with BPD feels that they are being neglected. Then if the other person responds by spending more time on the relationship they may get, "You're smothering me!" 

There is a book out about Borderline Personality Disorder called "I Hate You, Don't Leave Me." Another very good book that is directed towards people in relationships with people who have BPD is called, "Stop Walking on Eggshells." 

Judging by the time that went between your original post and my response, you probably already know this by now. But my 2 cents.

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