The two most convincing realistic borderline personality in media I have seen are:
- Filth (2013) (a film)
- Stan by Eminem (a song)
I'll give a summary of both and even describe the symptoms portrayed (dont worry, no spoilers are said):
Filth (2013)
Plot From IMDB:
- A corrupt, junkie cop with Borderline Personality Disorder attempts to manipulate his way through a bid to secure a promotion in order to win back his wife and daughter while also fighting his own borderline-fueled inner demons.
My thoughts:
I don't think there has ever been a film that portrays borderline quite like this one. It is made by the same person who made Trainspotting, its basically a spiritual sequel to Trainspotting, although its completely different plots and characters. Its a dark comedy, but only for the first half, the second half is depressing, as that is where most of the borderline symptoms become stronger... and the ending, unbelievable.
The entire film is about Bruce Robertson and his unstable relationship with his wife and daughter. He is a police officer who is corrupt and will do anything he can to get a promotion everyone is fighting for just to win his wife and daughter back. The ending of the film, is a real shocker and another big portrayal of BPD but I cannot spoil it.
However, throughout the film he will lie, manipulate put on a mask of normality in public and but in private, he suffers, does drugs, has weird sexual fetishes, sees a psychiatrist whom he lies to, sees himself as a pig in the mirror because he thinks he is Filth for the things he does but does them anyway. We also learn of a tragic childhood.
He will have intense mood swings where he will go from crying and admitting that there is something really wrong with him to intense near-violent anger in a matter of seconds.
A great example from the film is the blame shifting. In one particular scene, not a spoiler, he literally beats up a guy that he manipulated and lied so bad, while shouting at him 'Why did you do this to me? You are supposed to be my friend!'. Which of course, has the guy utterly confused and the guy tries to tell him he is his friend and after things settle, the guy asks Bruce, "Why did you bully me Bruce? Why?"... and Bruce responds with, "Because I can't help myself" then continues his assault.
Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tymWDB7gtK4
second example,
'Stan' by Eminem
(I will link the song at the end of the quote)
The song is actually used in some Universities as a research project for psychiatry/psychology when discussing Borderline Personality.
It is not really a rap song, more of a story, which is why its longer than most songs. Was widely praised upon release, although its true meaning is not just about an obsessed fan. As said by Eminem himself, the character Stan, who is in a way what he used to be, portrays Borderline Personality Disorder.
In just about a 6 to 8 minute music video, almost every single symptom of BPD is portrayed.
The Story:
For those who don't know of the song (if you do you can skip this paragraph). Its about a character named Stan (Stanley) who has a pregnant girlfriend and is obsessed with Eminem and writes him letters and has a shrine of Eminem in his basement. Eminem does not respond to the letters and Stan writes more and more letters, each one angrier than the previous and ultimately he commits suicide. Its the content of the letters that are truly compelling and the words of a borderline. Everything from identity disturbance, blame-shifting, self harm, etc.
The Symptoms:
Identity disturbance / unstable sense of sexuality:
-- Stan has an unstable self image, and is seen trying to make his hair like Eminem after staring into a mirror in the middle of the night, sweating profusely.
-- Stan has a girlfriend who is carrying his child, yet in his letters he tells Eminem that he loves him and they should be together.
-- Stan has a Slim Shady tattoo and brags about it.
-- Stan is seen holding a picture of him and his girlfriend but pastes a picture of Eminem over his girlfriend.
Black and white thinking:
-- In his letter, Stan admits to knowing Eminem is busy and doesnt write back, yet continues to write letters and his anger intensifies over something he knew would happen.
-- In his suicide cassette, Stan tells Eminem that he loves him and then two seconds later describes what a terrible person Eminem is. (also idealization/devaluation)
-- Stan talks about his future with his girlfriend and their child and how he loves her and then calls her jealous seconds later and says she doesnt like his infatuation with Eminem.
-- Stan claims his little brother likes Eminem more than he does but then calls himself the biggest fan ever. (also part of manipulation, see below)
Irrational thoughts brought on by paranoia or delusion and attempts to justify those thoughts through manipulation and trying to make Eminem feel guilty:
-- Stan tells Eminem he and his brother were waiting for an autograph for four hours in the cold and Eminem didn't care and walked away, but its revealed that Eminem tried but was dragged away and Stan created this delusion.
-- Stan uses his little brother as a way to guilt Eminem into feeling bad for something he didn't even do.
-- Stan tries to justify having his pregnant girlfriend tied up in the trunk by saying she should suffocate rather than slitting her throat, to separate himself from Eminem because Eminem is not a good person.
-- Stan displays dissociative symptoms throughout the video.
Unstable and intense interpersonal relationships, which include idealization and devaluation:
-- Stan has a pregnant girlfriend, who he idealizes in his letters but is clearly abusive throughout the video.
-- Stan calls Eminem a bad person but then praises him.
Unjustified intense anger and extreme emotions often leading to abuse or violence:
-- Stan is in the bathroom, and his girlfriend knocks because she needs to pee, and he throws a fit because she interupted his self image change.
-- His girlfriend calls him Stanley and he yells at her for calling him that during his fit of rage.
-- Stan is seen yelling at his girlfriend because she tried to speak with him while he was busy watching TV.
-- He kills his girlfriend during his suicide in a fit of rage after she discovers his shrine.
Depression/self harm, sometimes leading to suicide, often caused by bad childhood:
-- Stan describes how he cuts himself and details how it makes him feel.
-- Stan describes how he is depressed in his letters and uses Eminems music to feel better.
-- Stan mentions his abusive childhood.
-- Stan ultimately kills himself and his girlfriend in a fit of rage brought on by his delusion that Eminem has ignored or abandoned him.
Blame-shifting:
-- Stan blames Eminem for his murder/suicide on his tape.
-- Stan claims Eminem could have saved him but chose not to, but doesn't mention his girlfriend because she is not as important as he is.
-- Stan tells Eminem he hopes he has nightmares and hopes he regrets what hes done, yet Eminem has done nothing.
-- Stan tells Eminem they could have been together but Eminem ruined it all. (irrational delusions among blame shifting)
Impulsivity and self destructive behavior often when in a borderline rage:
-- Stan's sudden murder/suicide when his girlfriend discovers his shrine.
-- Reckless driving.
-- Substance abuse, Stan mentions hes drunk and has taken a lot of downers in his suicide tape while driving.
Eminem ultimately writes back when its too late, stating hes just been busy (something Stan knew)... also apologizes for the autograph issues and the video reveals that Stan's version was just a lie in attempt to guilt Eminem. Eminem suggests counseling (obviously referring to DBT) and shows concern for Stan's safety and tells him he needs to treat his girlfriend better. (unstable relationship and Eminem threw this bit in there to further imply what the message is).
The Music Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOMhN-hfMtY
Just thought I would share.
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