Marja Bergen

author, mental health advocate, follower of Christ

Tag: stigma (page 3 of 10)

BPD – Man’s inhumanity to man

People with BPD are often treated like untouchables in our modern world. Medical professionals and counselors don’t want to deal with them. They are feared by the people around them—feared because they don’t know the kind of response to expect. But if we want to follow Christ’s ways, we must try and treat those who […]

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BPD – The compassionate response to anger

Suppose someone said something or did something especially hurtful to the person with BPD. Such a sensitive person might not be able to help but react, often with the over-the-top anger (or emotional dysregulation) we’ve been talking about. That’s the feature of BPD that’s most alarming in the eyes of the people around us. And […]

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BPD – Emotional dysregulation

Through life challenges and trauma, usually occurring in childhood, people with BPD develop a strong sensitivity. They’re easily hurt. One source suggests that it’s like going through life without skin–without the protective barrier that prevents pain receptors from being exposed. Someone with BPD is much more hurt by someone’s words and actions than a person […]

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BPD – plea for understanding

Where do you go when you have an illness that medical professionals and counselors don’t want to deal with—treated like an untouchable in a modern world? Have you ever thought what that would feel like? It’s happening all the time to people with BPD. In their book Beyond Borderline: True Stories of Recovery from Borderline […]

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What bothers you? – A life worth living. Part 5

In February 2009 I heard a series of sermons that inspired me. We were asked if we were ever moved by something—gripped so deeply by something that bothered us that we wanted to do something about it. Or were our lives too busy to notice? Do we feel that our life counts for something? Do […]

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Part 22 – How did Jesus overcome injustice

  The time has come to draw this series to a close. And what better way to do it than by looking at Jesus and the ways in which he overcame injustice? What can we learn from him? Biblical justice starts by seeing people as God sees them—recognizing that we are created in the image […]

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Part 21 – Understanding those who don’t understand

  Written in 2009 As a person living with bipolar disorder, I used to feel frustrated that so many people did not understand mental illness. I was angry that people didn’t even try to empathize. But through my writing and educating others, I’ve learned that the problem does not lie with healthy people alone. It […]

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Mental illness and the credibility gap

  Picture yourself: A capable person in most respects, having opinions and able to present them logically, having thoughts and ideas no less meaningful than those others have. Perhaps you’re a leader, a person who can make things happen. A person who can make a difference. But despite having many good qualities that make you […]

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The only way to keep going

  I’ve been criticized for talking too much about my pain. Criticized for writing too many stories about myself. But I believe it’s the only way I can keep on living. Each time a crisis hits, each time I end up in the emergency ward, not knowing how to go on, the only thing that […]

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Part 11 – I give in to Him

  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30   […]

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