BPD: The 9 Diagnostic Symptoms You Need to Know (Part 2)
RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions
Release Date: 02/26/2026
Eating Disorders: Does Dieting Actually Make Them Worse? (Part 2)
RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions
Can you tell if someone has an eating disorder just by looking at them? Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar debunks the "healthy look" myth and explains why dieting is toxic to recovery. This episode explores the critical "Nine Truths" of eating disorders, the role of genetics, and why early intervention is vital for long-term health. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ In this deep-dive, host Terry McGuire continues the conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Wassena...
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Eating Disorders: Signs, Symptoms, and How to Find Help (Part 1)
RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions
"You can have an eating disorder and not be in an underweight body." This powerful insight from Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar, Regional Medical Director at the Eating Recovery Center, challenges everything we think we know about food, weight, and mental health. In this eye-opening episode of RECOVERable, host Terry Maguire sits down with Dr. Wassenaar to dismantle the dangerous myths surrounding eating disorders. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ Dr. W...
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ACEs: The Science of Positive Childhood Experiences (Part 2)
RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions
Can you outrun a traumatic childhood? Dr. Christina Bethell returns for Part 2 to explain why an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) score is an indicator of risk, not a predictor of destiny. As a national leader in population health and systems measurement, Dr. Bethell has reshaped how we understand the "toxic stress" that accumulates in the nervous system when childhood trauma is experienced without buffers. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ In this e...
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ACEs: Can You Heal From a Traumatic Childhood? (Part 1)
RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions
Can you truly heal from a traumatic childhood? Dr. Christina Bethell explains why your past shapes you but doesn't have to define your future. In this episode of Recoverable, we dive deep into the groundbreaking research behind Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the "medicine" of Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs). Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ We explore the 10-question ACEs screener and why factors like emotional neglect are often the ...
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Pregnancy: Understanding Postpartum Depression (Part 2)
RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions
Are you feeling overwhelmed, angry, or disconnected after childbirth? You are not alone—nearly 20% of new mothers experience postpartum depression, yet many suffer in silence due to a paralyzing sense of shame. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ In this essential follow-up, host Terry McGuire continues the conversation with Dr. Karen Sheffield-Abdullah. Dr. Sheffield-Abdullah is a PhD, researcher, and nurse-midwife with over 20 years of experience speci...
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Pregnancy: The Truth About Antenatal Depression and SSRIs (Part 1)
RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions
Are you struggling with depression during pregnancy but afraid to talk about it? You are not alone, as up to 20% of women will experience a significant mood disorder during pregnancy or after birth. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ In this episode, host Terry McGuire sits down with Dr. Karen Sheffield-Abdullah. Dr. Sheffield-Abdullah is a professor, a nurse-midwife of 20 years, and a researcher specializing in Black maternal stress and anxiety. We div...
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Treatment: Does Coerced Recovery Actually Work? (Part 2)
RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions
Description: How do you know when you’ve finally reached the point where you can't do it alone? For many, the realization doesn't come from a "lightbulb moment," but from the exhaustion of repeating the same mistakes while expecting different results. In Part 2 of our deep dive into the Levels of Care, host Terry McGuire and Dr. Sal Raichbach explore the psychological barriers to seeking help and the reality of life after the "rehab" doors close. Find mental health and addiction treatment ne...
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Treatment: Which Level of Care Do You Need? (Part 1)
RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions
Navigating the world of addiction and mental health treatment can feel like learning a completely different language when you are already at your breaking point. How do you know if you need a "hospital level" of care or if weekly therapy is enough? In this episode of RECOVERable, host Terry McGuire sits down with behavioral health expert Dr. Sal Raichbach to demystify the "continuum of care" and explain exactly what happens at every stage of recovery. Find mental health and addiction treatmen...
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Suicidality: Warning Signs in Teens vs. Adults (Part 2)
RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions
Thoughts of suicide are not uncommon and can be a part of the human experience for many individuals at various points in their lives. In Part 2 of this series, host Terry McGuire welcomes back Dr. Sara Kohlbeck, PhD, a public health researcher specializing in suicide. This conversation focuses on the "invitations" people send when they are in distress and how to navigate the spectrum of suicidal thoughts with empathy and evidence-based tools. Find mental health and addiction treatment near y...
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Suicidality: How to Support Someone in a Crisis (Part 1)
RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions
CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses suicide and suicidal ideation, which may be difficult for some listeners; if you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional or a crisis hotline like 988. "When you are suicidal, it is an incredibly isolating feeling. It’s feeling like nobody really understands." In this episode of RECOVER, host Terry McGuire sits down with Dr. Sara Kohlbeck, PhD, a distinguished suicidologist and public health researcher, to peel...
info_outlineLiving with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) often feels like being "screamed at by your brain" while trying to navigate everyday life. In this deeply personal and educational episode, we go beyond the "scary" stereotypes to reveal the intense emotional pain and interpersonal turmoil that defines this condition.
Joining us is Sage Nestler, an LGBTQ+ mental health specialist and a leading educator on BPD. Sage is a member of the advocacy committee for the National Education Alliance on BPD (NEA-BPD) and provides a rare perspective as a clinician who also lives with the disorder. He explains that for those with the quiet version of BPD, the struggle is often internalized, making their experience invisible to the outside world. They share how the "Favorite Person" (FP) phenomenon and black-and-white thinking can create a constant cycle of idolization and fear of abandonment in relationships.
Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/
Sage clarifies the common confusion between BPD, Bipolar Disorder, and PTSD, explaining why he believes focusing on symptoms rather than labels is critical for proper care. They also address the most searched questions on the internet: Is there a specific medication for BPD? (The answer might surprise you) and can the disorder truly be "cured"?. Whether you are a "support person" for a loved one or someone seeking clarity for your own experience, they offer the validation and insight needed to move forward with compassion.
For more resources, check out the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Family Connections Program through the NEA-BPD.
⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Defining Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
01:21 – Common Stereotypes vs. Reality
02:55 – What Living With BPD Feels Like Internally
05:31 – Advice for Loved Ones and Support Systems
08:56 – How to Know if You Have BPD
10:02 – Resources: NEA-BPD and NAMI
15:08 – The "Favorite Person" (FP) Concept Explained
22:52 – Breaking Down the 9 Diagnostic Criteria
46:02 – Best Medication and Treatments for BPD
48:53 – Can Borderline Personality Disorder Be Cured?
❓ Questions the Video Answers:
- What is borderline personality disorder (BPD)?
- What does BPD feel like on the inside?
- What are the 9 diagnostic criteria for BPD?
- What is a BPD "Favorite Person" (FP)?
- What is "Quiet BPD" and how is it different?
- Can BPD be cured or treated effectively?
- Is there a specific medication for BPD?
- What is "splitting" in BPD relationships?
- How does BPD affect the fear of abandonment?
- Is BPD often misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder?
- Why is BPD so heavily stigmatized in mental health?
- How do you get a professional BPD diagnosis?
- What is identity disturbance in BPD?
- How can I support a partner or child with BPD?
- Does BPD cause chronic feelings of emptiness?
#BPD #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #MentalHealth Awareness