A Poet’s Struggle with Borderline Personality Disorder
Meghna Prakash, a poet and mental health therapist, shares her struggle with a mental health disorder. Recording episodes of her past experiences as she coped, she provides deeply personal insights into her condition. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) affects about seven in 1,000 individuals in India, with women being more commonly afflicted, according to estimates. Worldwide, BPD impacts around 1.4% of the adult population. Meghna's story shows the impact of one of the numerous mental health issues that are frequently misunderstood and neglected in India.
Despite its significant impact, the BPD is often misdiagnosed or dismissed as mere mood swings. Meghna shared her story to create a space for others who struggle with similar challenges. She hopes to initiate conversations about the lived realities of BPD and the importance of seeking professional help as well as support from relatives and friends.
A person with BPD often experiences intense emotional fluctuations, unstable relationships and a persistent fear of abandonment. Their emotions can shift rapidly, from deep sadness to anger or anxiety, sometimes triggered by seemingly minor events. This emotional instability may lead to impulsive behaviours, self-doubt and difficulty maintaining steady personal connections. Many struggle with a fragile sense of self, feeling unsure of who they are or what they want, which can lead to chronic feelings of emptiness. The overwhelming emotional pain can also result in self-harm, especially when they feel misunderstood or rejected.
Managing BPD requires significant emotional effort, therapy, and coping strategies, but without proper support, those affected often feel trapped in a cycle of distress and isolation.
The National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015-16 by NIMHANS found that 10.6% of adults in India suffer from various mental disorders, which continue to be stigmatised, making it difficult for individuals to access appropriate treatment.
The NMHS report also suggested that nearly 80% of those suffering from mental illnesses in India do not receive adequate care due to factors like social stigma, lack of awareness and insufficient mental health infrastructure. For disorders like BPD, which require long-term therapy and support, this treatment gap further compounds the struggles of those affected. Meghna’s openness encourages more people to acknowledge the need for mental health care.