Looking Beyond the Borders: Portrayals of Borderline Personality Disorder in Memoirs and Film

Author: Ashley SanchezFrias

Field of Study: Social Sciences

Program Affiliation: Source Project Research Program

Faculty Mentors: Will Glovinsky

Easel: 80

Timeslot: Afternoon

Abstract: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental illness that is often demonized or misrepresented in the books and films that portray it. By contrast, self-representations of BPD, such as memoirs, offer a more holistic depiction that can provide greater information and opportunities for empathetic response. This research explores key differences between self-representations of BPD and portrayals by those without the diagnosis, and asks why harmful stereotypes persist despite critiques from mental health advocates. The project takes as its central case study the memoir "Girl, Interrupted" and compares it with its 1999 film adaptation, arguing that the film inaccurately portrays symptoms and the process of treatment. It also analyzes other works, such as "The Buddha and the Borderline", to discuss the stigmatization and focus on negative factors in portrayals. Finally, it explores the effects of shifting these representations, including increasing awareness and the probability that individuals with BPD seek treatment.