Brandon Marshall & BPD

Most of my bloggie girls aren't as obsessed with football as I am, so you probably didn't catch the live press conference with Brandon Marshall on NFL Network on Sunday.

While flipping through channels, I stopped when I saw him. He went to college in Orlando, UCF specifically, and once was a Denver Bronco. I used to watch him play when he was a Golden Knight. I was so intrigued by this press conference because he was being so real. He wasn't reading from a script or even trying to back peddle and do damage control. He was opening up and sharing his story of life with Borderline Personality Disorder.

WOW.

Here's the definition of BPD taken from Wikipedia...

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a personality disorder described as a prolonged disturbance of personality function in a person (generally over the age of eighteen years, although it is also found in adolescents), characterized by depth and variability of moods.^{[n 1]} The disorder typically involves unusual levels of instability in mood; black and white thinking, or splitting; the disorder often manifests itself in idealization and devaluation episodes, as well as chaotic and unstable interpersonal relationships, self-image, identity, and behavior; as well as a disturbance in the individual's sense of self. In extreme cases, this disturbance in the sense of self can lead to periods of dissociation.^[1]

BPD splitting includes a switch between idealizing and demonizing others. This, combined with mood disturbances, can undermine relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. BPD disturbances also may include self-harm.^[2] Without treatment, symptoms may worsen, leading (in extreme cases) to suicide attempts.^{[n 2]}

I watched it thinking it was his wife with the issue, but Kate texted me later to tell me it was in fact him with BPD. Again, just stunned.

Surprisingly enough, one of the doctors at Hood suggested *a certain someone in my past* might suffer from this. Reading over the causes, symptoms, etc...it makes complete sense to me and is also pretty heartbreaking.

I wish I could find the video for you guys, but if you come across it. Watch it. It was incredible. He is now championing this cause and making it his mission to bring awareness to BPD and mental health disorders in general. This is so rare on so many fronts.

First, a lot of pro athletes don't take to the media to defend their wives and their marriages in such a way as Marshall did. It is so obvious and apparent he loves her tremendously. Next, mental illness is so hush hush. Nobody discusses it. It's viewed as abnormal, embarrassing, and shameful. Heck, even when I mention my love for therapy, I cringe wondering what people are thinking. I lost two people special to me due to mental illness. It sucks and it doesn't have to be the way it's perceived to be.

I'm such an advocate for therapy. Marriage counseling, individual counseling, whatever. Do it. Do it BEFORE you need it. Be aware of your own issues. Be aware of your partners. Hindsight is always 20/20 but I wish I had been in a place to get counseling with M prior to getting married.  Our outcome would probably have been entirely different.

To read the article click here.