Poll: Secrets Dr. Never Tell You - David Oliver'

[united for now]

I was doing some searching for some articles, and I somehow I came across this websight, "the borderline personality disorder support course" , which claims to help you know "how to deal and cope with your loved ones personality disorder" http://www.borderlinecentral.com/report1/.

Of course, for a fee... He wants to charge about $100 for a course that supposedly offers you the answers to this disorder. He does a good job of laying things out and breaking them down into their parts, but while he brings up good questions, to get the answers, you need to spend the money.

My question, has anyone looked into this? Spent the money on it? Heard of anyone who tried it?

I know that things that sound too good to be true, usually are, but curiosity got me wondering. Could it help?

[JoannaK]

Hi united... 

Well...  I did check out that guy's website, and it sure does sound as though he is selling snake oil, doesn't it?  I was concerned that he went back and forth between bipolar and bpd so often and so flippantly.  Bipolar is controllable with drugs, and those with bipolar can regulate themselves fairly easily if they are taking their meds.  But bipolar is often comorbid with bpd, and there are different types of bpd.  But you can't really compare bpd and bipolar.  So if his story is about what worked with his mom, and she really has bipolar and not bpd...  unclear how valuable his stuff is. 

I suppose if someone has a hundred bucks and they wish to see what he's got to offer.. well, it's not a lot to lose.  But I just don't like his approach.  He's got all of the answers, but he's not going to even give you a hint of the answers until you buy his book (or whatever it is). 

And the website is terribly designed.. lots of info and ads about all kinds of stuff that may or may not fit together.

But, of course, I am curious!  I wish someone here has ponied up the hundred bucks and has some info on this guy's "method". 

[united for now]

Yes, but he actually supports some BPD web sites, including BPD 411, where you can find him all over the place. So I guess my question is, is it legitimate, or a scam? It seems to focus on teaching us non's who to cope with BPD, but still, I didn't spend $100 on SWOE, or any of the other books I bought, and I know those authors did a lot of research also. So why  does he justify the large price tag?

I was just trying to be a good shopper, and get any recomendations before spending my hard earned cash... 

[screamingfire]

My sibs and I split the cost just to see. It's crap and I am embarassed to say we spent $$$ on the junk.
All he does is take the info from SWOE, I hate you don't leave me (and other high profile BPD books) and regurgitate it as his own words.
Don't even ask for $$$ back as my bro did-then this freak's real colors show as he gets nasty and condescending, and will accuse you of not caring enough about the BPD in your life to learn about their illness.

[Randi Kreger]

Hi there:

I saw this guy's stuff a long time ago and figured that anyone who was going to name his site "BorderlineCentral" was going to take my work and put it out as his own. I actually spoke with him once and he said he would send me his stuff, but of course never sent it to me.

Another thing he does is create a few dozen URL's that all point to the same thing. I am sure he does this so people who accept Google ads on their site can't block him. (You don't have any control of the advertisers on your site, but you can say "don't let URL x on my site."

Just like word of mouth can be good and, for example, let people know about SWOE, it can be bad and hopefully people will avoid him.

[Lexi]

A.) The SWOE book is a whole lot cheaper, and if you look, probably at least 30% of the posts in these message boards site SWOE and have never heard of this guy.

B.) If you're going to start paying, get the one-on-one specialization of your own therapist rather than an internet guy.

C.) Randi Kreger,  the author of SWOE took the time to post on this one. . . .  I think she knows what she's talking about!

[bellaluna]

In my initial search to find information about bpd I came across his site and signed up for his weekly news letter that is suposed to give me the tools to deal with the bpd person in my life.  Today I received the first news letter and was very confused.  It seems he is going with the Nature theory instead of the Nurture theory as an explanation to the caause of bpd. 

Here is what I received today:

Welcome to Part 1 of my Borderline Personality Disorder
Supporters Mini course.  Before I get started, I just
want to let you know that I'm not a professional writer,
so if you come across some misspelled words or typos, please
forgive me.  I'm just trying to tell you what I've learned the
HARD way by supporting my mother who has suffered from a
personality disorder her entire life. 

Today, we are going to talk about exactly what Borderline
Personality Disorder is:

So what is Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a brain
disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood,
energy, and ability to function. BPD causes intense,
long-lasting mood swings and is often characterized
by inappropriate anger and even paranoia.  We'll talk more
about the specific symptoms of the disorder a little later
in the course.

Although no one is entirely sure what causes BPD,
evidence suggests that it has to do with the chemicals
in the brain.  Changes in the levels of these chemicals
can cause parts of the brain to become out of balance,
thus resulting in out of control behaviors and
inappropriate anger and reactions.   

When your loved one is exhibiting symptoms of 
BPD, they are considered to be in an episode and are not
stable.  During this time, you will need to focus on getting
them help from medical and psychiatric professionals.

The most important thing to keep in mind about Borderline
Personality Disorder is that it is NOT something your loved
one can control or fix on their own.  It is caused by an
imbalance in the chemicals in the brain and is passed on
in families, so there's nothing your loved one could do to
prevent it or to make it happen.  So, please, don't blame them
because they have this disorder.

Now in the next email, I'm going to provide you with
a little background information on why I'm sharing
this information with you and why I think it's so
important.

However, if you need more information on how to cope
with Borderline Personality Disorder now, then go to
http://www.borderlinecentral.com/report1/?utm_source=aweber&utm_medium=email&utm
_campaign=bpdsupport

[HeartOfaBuddha]

Does anyone have experience with this course or the person who offers it?  So many of us are desperate enough to try anything we think will help.  This is the website

http://www.borderlinecentral.com/

Thanks,
Peace

[Skip]

I don't know anything first hand...

It has been reviewed here:
http://www.bpdfamily.com/message_board/index.php?topic=56095.0

[Mollyd]

I have no first hand info either, but the quick glance I did so far leads me to think I sure wouldn't invest money.  Typos/misinformation don't need to be paid for.

Example - In trying to sell his course, he refers to HIPA laws and how to get around them?; I'm thinking he means the federal HIPAA laws.  He writes BPD and Bipolar are both mood disorders.  Ummm, nope.  Bipolar is a mood disorder, bpd is a personality disorder, different axes, different treatment ... blah blah blah.

fwiw

Molly

[Chili]

Good points, Molly. I think this is someone trying to make money off people who are already suffering so much.

I went to the site yesterday. On the main page, they have:

Personality Disorder Quiz
Which Disorder Do You Have? Browse Our Fun Quizzes Now!

That concerned me immediately, before I even clicked on the link, because they are lumping a PD quiz with Fun Quizzes?  But, being the ever curious person I am, I clicked on the link and checked out the quiz. It was a total mockery of very serious disorders. When I read the first question, I thought surely I hit the wrong link:

1. Your thoughts about chocolate are: 
* Chocolate is ok, as long as I can eat it in a closet. 
* I hate chocolate, but I just can't stop eating it. 
* I only eat chocolate when I am with my chocoholic friend. 
* If I don't get my fix of chocolate everyday, I begin having withdrawals.

Unfortunately, the entire quiz was like this - and only 10 questions long. I think this site is a crock and I hope people see it for what it is.

Chili

[HeartOfaBuddha]

Thanks Skip for pointing me in the direction of that review.  It was very, very helpful.  Definitely won't waste any money on his course.  My money will go for the books recommended by those on these boards.
Peace,

[bpsurvivor]

I know these posts are several years old, but in the interest of fairness, I believe this post should go with them.  I have borderline personality disorder, and my husband is my primary supporter.  We have both checked out David Oliver, his website, and his materials, and found them easy-to-understand and informative.  Of course they reference some of the best researched material out there on BPD, as does any good book.  Even in SWOE, there are references to other people's work. I just thought you should have the other side of the story, if you do come upon this thread.

[Randi Kreger]

I know these posts are several years old, but in the interest of fairness, I believe this post should go with them.  I have borderline personality disorder, and my husband is my primary supporter.  We have both checked out David Oliver, his website, and his materials, and found them easy-to-understand and informative.  Of course they reference some of the best researched material out there on BPD, as does any good book.  Even in SWOE, there are references to other people's work. I just thought you should have the other side of the story, if you do come upon this thread.

There is nothing wrong with footnoting. My new book has 10 pages of footnotes. It is quite another thing to take out a web site called "borderline central" (sound familiar) and promote that you have the secrets no one else has. SWOE is an oft-quoted and highly thought of book, and I never claimed it had all the answers or any secrets. Also, my books cost less than 20 dollars, and from what I understand his materials cost quite a bit more.

I haven't had the opportunity to look through the materials, although David Oliver told me on a phone call he would send them to me. Others have told me it's a rehash.

Randi Kreger
 
Author, "The Essential Family Guide to Borderline Personality Disorder "