25th April 2023
The first of May marks the beginning of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Awareness Month in Northern Ireland, in association with the NI Personality Disorder Network, Health and Social Care and the Department of Health. BPD, also known as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) is a health condition that is misunderstood and carries a stigma unlike other diagnoses. Around 1 in 100 people in the UK live with the condition and further information including causes, symptoms, treatment and support is available by visiting Borderline personality disorder (BPD) | nidirect
During the month of May, an art exhibition will take place at three locations in NI to raise awareness of BPD, tackle the stigma attached and dispel the myths. People living with this health condition will showcase their creative artwork and provide a real and colourful account of their experiences of living with BPD. The art exhibitions will be open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend. Dates and venues are as follows.
Tuesday 25th April to Saturday 6th May: Newry Library, 79 Hill Street, Newry, BT34 1DG; 09:15 – 16:45 Monday – Saturday
Monday 8th May to Sunday 14th May: ArtCetera Studio, 43b Rosemary Street, BT 1 1QB; 11am-5pm Tues-Fri and 12-5pm Sat-Sun
Monday 15th May to 29th May: The Millennium Forum, Newmarket Street, Londonderry BT48 6EB; 9.30am – 5.00pm Mon-Sat, and during evening performances
Titled “Warriors Against Stigma” (WAS), the art exhibitions will feature paintings in acrylics and oils; photography; pyrography; poetry; jewellery; pencil sketches; drawings and a word search specially designed using both stigmatising and supportive words. All of the artists use creativity to help them on their recovery journey and find that it serves to help them to express the feelings that others often struggle to understand.
“I was diagnosed with BPD in my late 30’s,” said Roisin Donnelly, creative artist. “This was after many years of struggling personally. For so long I had experienced being misunderstood, underestimated and very often misrepresented. People with BPD are mostly seen as difficult to treat, frustrating to work with and this is only a few of the perceptions out there. My diagnosis however did enable me to get the right treatment and it was through intense DBT sessions, that I began to appreciate and love art and it has helped me. When I’m making jewellery I’m fully immersed in the creative process and it is now part of my treatment plan.”
“Personality Disorder includes a range of different mental health diagnoses, the most common of which is Borderline Personality Disorder,” according to Dr Iain McDougal, Consultant Psychiatrist and Chair of the Regional Personality Disorder Network. “The main difficulties in life for someone who has Borderline Personality Disorder is in managing emotions and relationships with other people. Often, but not always, people considered to have Personality Disorder have experienced significant trauma in their life and this is very important in understanding each individuals situation.
The theme that ‘Warriors Against Stigma’ highlight of addressing stigma around this diagnosis is highly relevant. Personality Disorder has been referred to as a diagnosis with a double stigma. Firstly, the stigma of having a mental health problem but then Personality Disorder is further stigmatised and assumptions often made regarding people with this diagnosis. This series of exhibitions is a really exciting way to raise awareness of Personality Disorder. Much more importantly this is a group of people whose journey of recovery from mental health issues has brought to the fore their very impressive artistic talents as a powerful and moving way to express their emotions.”