Random thoughts after just having watched Welcome to Me

1. This is a genuinely disturbing film. But considering the fact that it's dealing with BPD, that's to be expected. And based on my relationships with 2 women suffering from BPD, I'd say it captures a lot of the issues that are central to the illness quite succinctly.

2. The attempt of the therapist to treat BPD with Abilify is almost laughable.

3. The following elements really rang true:

A. BPDs are almost always preoccupied with their own pain and life dramas. They are adept at evoking the empathy/sympathy/pity of others, while at the same time being almost incapable of extending empathy towards others. A classic "ploy" of BPDs is to turn the pain they've caused others and claim it as their own pain whenever they're confronted with the pain they've caused others. They cry and blame others for pointing out the very pain that they themselves have caused others. It's the epitome of insanity. And the scene with Gina and Alice towards the end, when Alice is in the hospital or mental hospital after her breakdown really nailed that.

B. BPDs often exhibit very disjointed sexuality.

C. BPDs usually exhibit compartmentalized emotions and cognition.

D. BPDs tend to create their own inner realities that only really make sense to them. It's like verbal/external autism.

4. I think the film accurately captured the frustration experienced by the individuals themselves as well as the friends, co-workers, and family members dealing with someone suffering from BPD.



Love isn't what you say or how you feel, it's what you do. (The Last Kiss)