by Christine Hammond on November 10, 2022
I’m thankful to be quoted in this article on Destigmatizing Borderline Personality Disorder in Counseling Today along with other clienticans who agree that the stigma attached to BPD needs to be changed with therapists, clients, and family units. ‘Not a monster’: Destigmatizing borderline personality disorder
by Christine Hammond on August 25, 2020
The first couple of therapy sessions with Trina were rollercoaster rides. One second she was excited about a new job and all of the possibilities it presented, and the next she was anxious and overwhelmed from being a caretaker to her mother. When she came back for her second session she was nervous and depressed… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on July 4, 2020
A diagnosis for any type of Personality Disorder or mental health issue doesn’t have to be a negative diagnosis. Often times such conditions are portrayed as only dangerous or detrimental to someone’s well-being, and while that may be part of the truth, it isn’t necessarily the whole truth. The very thing that makes a person… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on July 4, 2020
After breezing through several counselors, frequent problems at school, repeated difficulties maintaining relationships, exaggerated rages over small issues, irrational behavior, and now even a suicide attempt, Megan realized that there may be something more serious than she originally assumed threatening the health of her 15-year-old daughter. Finally, after consulting a therapist who specializes in personality… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on August 9, 2019
Brenda was having excessive panic attacks. The attacks were intense, erratic, and debilitating. They lasted anywhere from brief seconds to a longer incredulous 30 minutes. Worse yet, they came out of nowhere with unknown causes or triggers which kept her from fully functioning at home, work, and socially. She was embarrassed, ashamed, and defeated by… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on February 27, 2018
A diagnosis doesn’t have to be negative. The very thing that makes a person unique, special, different, and an individual might just fit within one of the diagnostic codes. A gift of music or a talent in sports is celebrated, but aren’t these also things the separate out people from the norm? By definition, a… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on January 15, 2018
“This is ridiculous,” James said after witnessing his soon-to-be ex-wife losing it because she didn’t get her way. She sounded like a 2-year-old who didn’t get a piece of candy with the same level of irrational reasoning. Her arms were flinging around, she threw a few small objects, her voice raised a couple of octaves,… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on January 6, 2018
As a teenager, Melanie was diagnosed as bi-polar after one of her psychiatric inpatient stays. She was told the several different medications would help curb her tendencies towards high risk behaviors. It did not. Rather, the medications made her more angry and anxious, so she stopped taking them all together. She would go for months… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
Too often, narcissism is portrayed as an overly aggressive male disorder. It is not. Females can be narcissistic as well although it might look a bit different from males. Meryl Streep in her role as Miranda Priestly in “The Devil Wears Prada” did an excellent job portraying a narcissistic female boss. Michelle Pfieffer did as… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 6, 2017
Dan came into his therapist’s office convinced his wife had Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). After reading several articles and blogs on the internet, he diagnosed her erratic behavior, heightened sensitivity, occasional outbursts, and mood swings as evidence of BPD. He desperately wanted the therapist to affirm his analysis, confront his wife, and “make her better”…. (more…)