Borderline Personality Disorder – Taming the Beast

In my opinion, BPD is one of the most stigmatized and misunderstood brain disorders out there. Because it is a Personality Disorder, even the person who suffers from it, often is not aware that he/she has it.

Toby Allen, an illustrator who decided to deal with explaining and conquering such mental illness types as depression, borderline personality, and anxiety disorder by recreating them as cute monsters drew BPD as the picture above.

I can’t agree more. I think BPD is one of the most challenging beasts to deal with.

Having said that, I also believe that it is NOT impossible to tame this beast. And in fact, when this beast is tamed, you can use its power and ability to your advantage.

I like to use the story of Newt and Zouwu as a metaphor.

In the movie “Fantastic Beasts 2”, Newt Scamander was facing Zouwu, a monstrously large feline beast, as big as an elephant, with a striped body, scraggly mane, four fangs that curl out of its mouth, long sharp claws, and a disproportionately long, ruffled multicolored tail. Zouwus are terrifying for most human beings, but they are incredibly powerful and fast, capable of travelling 1,000 miles in a day.

Zouwu is a powerful beast. When Newt first met him, Zouwu was wreaking havoc and scaring many people, seemed to be totally uncontrollable.

Newt used a toy to tame the Zouwu and lured it into his suitcase.

On the next scene, we saw Zouwu tossed Newt around, but Newt didn’t fight back. Newt knew that Zouwu is hurt and shackled, that he showed aggression because he got hurt in the past that made him suspicious and aggressive out of fear of being hurt.

When Zouwu intimidatingly lifted Newt with his claw, Newt said, “You’re alright” as he reached out and released the shackles around Zouwu’s neck. “Relishio”, he said.

Newt treated Zouwu with understanding, compassion, and knowledge. And that was how he really tamed the beast.

The next scene showed Zouwu jumped out from the suitcase to help Newt fight off other beasts (Matagots) that were attacking Newt, and then we saw Newt riding Zouwu, doing a warp jump (an ability that a Zouwu has), and lost his attackers.

We also see how Zouwu nuzzled Newt affectionately, showing that he is now tamed and trusting Newt.

In my opinion, that is also how it works with BPD. Treat it with knowledge, compassion, and understanding.

I will see you on PART 2.