The DSM-V explains BPD as follows:  

A known pattern of unstable interpersonal relationship, sense of self, self-image, and marking impulsivity, as indicated by five (or more) of the following: 

A: frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. 

B: a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation 

C: identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self 

D: impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, Substance Abuse, reckless driving, binge eating). 

E: recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, threats, or self-mutilating behavior 

F: affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days) 

G: chronic feelings of emptiness 

H: inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights) 

I: transient, stress-related paranoia or severe dissociative symptoms

Susanna met these criteria:

A: Susanna attempted to stay in relationships with her professor and a different boy so that she felt wanted and loved, and not rejected or abandoned. 

B: She lacked any interpersonal relationship with her family and friends who just wanted her to be normal. She was often thought to be an out-cast by her family. She also experienced a falling out with a professor whom she had been sleeping with. 

C: Susanna had no self-esteem or sense of worth. 

D: She was having an affair with one of her professors and a boy she met after high school at the same time, both having unsafe sex. Susanna, also, snuck out of the institution with a neighbor patient named Lisa; knowing they could get in trouble. 

E: She made what she called a "half-hearted attempt" to kill herself before checking herself into the mental institution by taking a bottle of pills with vodka. She also indulged in self-harm. 

F: She experienced a shift in mood from the beginning of treatment until the end. Susanna checked herself in, meaning that she had some sort of passion about getting better. However, later on while at the hospital, she felt like she had no sense of herself at all. She stopped caring about her health and just wanted to ignore her diagnosis. 

G: Susanna often experienced feelings of emptiness caused by not being where she wanted to be in life. Susanna felt as if nothing was going how she wanted it and she was the only person feeling that way.

H: During one scene in the movie, Susanna goes from half-asleep to kicking, screaming, cussing and spewing bouts of racial slurs at her nurse. 

After watching the movie, I believe that Susanna portrays symptoms of BPD very accurately. However, I question how much of her symptoms can be accredited to any 18 year old girl in the modern world trying to discover her sense of self and becoming one on her own. In terms of stereotyping, I believe it is important to discuss the labeling of “normal” that Susanna’s parents used within the movie. Her family believes that because she is dealing with mental issues that she is not normal and may otherwise be “crazy.” This can be harmful to those dealing with any mental disorder while trying to get treatment or needing help otherwise. Additionally, I believe that the portrayal of the institution was quite unfair, but not different from other portrayals of mental institutions. Susanna’s nurse was rude towards her and made the hospital seem like a prison, which is what they are often referred to as. This makes it difficult for others to want to receive help from institutions.

**Note: The video clip contains very crude language and racial content. 

After watching this episode, I believe that Louisa portrays symptoms of AN accurately. Dr. Brown recommends a brain surgery that will reduce her anxiety to food, which will then allow her to eat. Unfortunately, the surgery could change her entire personality. I question how often deep brain stimulation surgery is used to treat psychological disorders and what the criteria is in order to be able to do this surgery. If this type of surgery could be useful is treating other psychological disorders, then I hope that there will be more research done in the future. In terms of stereotyping, Louisa does not fit the typical stereotype of having anorexia. Dr. Brown mentions that Louisa was very lucky to be pregnant and that she was able to temporarily recover and eat for her son, Graham, who was born and lives to be a healthy child. It is important that patients with this disorder know that while there are risks to treatment, there are also hopes for improvement to some extent. Quality of knowledge given to the patient is crucial. Louisa and Graham get into an argument where he says, "It can't be that hard, just eat." This statement is powerful due to it's inability to understand the psychological trauma of anorexia nervosa. Louisa explains that she has tried every other form of psychological therapy and physical therapy there is to treat her AN, however all have failed. To make for a cliffhanger ending, after undergoing the brain surgery, she feels as though she is hungry again. However, due to the side effects of the surgery, she feels less maternal towards her son. 

The DSM-V explains ADHD as follows: 

A persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development, as characterized by A and/or B: 

A: inattention which can be expressed by at least 6 (or more) of the following symptoms that have persisted for at least 6 months in which has affected functioning:

a: often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work, or during other activities

b: often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities

c: often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly

d: often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace

e: often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities

f: often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort

g: often loses things necessary for tasks or activities

h: is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli or unrelated thoughts

i: is often forgetful in daily activities 

B: hyperactivity and impulsivity which can be expressed by 6 (or more) of the following symptoms have persisted for at least 6 months in which has affected functioning: 

a: often fidgets with or taps hands or feet or squirms in seat

b: often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected

c: often runs about or climbs in situations where it is inappropriate

d: often unable to play or engage in leisure activities quietly

e: is often “on the go,” acting as if “driven by a motor" and may be seen as restless or difficult to keep up with 

f: often talks excessively

g: often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed 

h: often has difficulty waiting his or her turn

i: often interrupts or intrudes on others

C: several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were present prior to age 12 years

D: several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms are present in two or more settings (e.g., at home, school, or work, etc)

E: there is clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with, or reduce the quality of, social, academic, or occupational functioning

F: the symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder and are not better explained by another mental disorder.

The host meets these criteria:

A: inattentive:

a: He says that whenever he works on a project, or anything in general, he can always find mistakes. 

b: He explains that there are often times when he is distracted by other things. He mentions how he has a habit of noticing things that are undone and going back to fix them regardless of what he is doing in that moment.

d: He says “nothing gets done if it's not urgent, and even then it may not happen.” He explains that he often deals with decision paralysis. He often delays housework. 

e: He explains that he has difficulty making lists as it overwhelms him. 

f: He says that he is often a procrastinator because he finds difficulty doing things that require effort. He finds it tiring due to his rushed mind. 

g: He explains that he has a collection point at one point in his home to put his wallet and keys in that way he doesn’t lose it. 

h: In the middle of one of the podcasts, he began going on a rant about the stock market and apple products. This was unrelated to the topic which was perfectionism. 

i: He talks about how he often received less opportunities for jobs due to his ability to miss deadlines at work or during school. 

B: hypersensitivity and impulsivity

a: He explains that he often fidgets with his seat belt while driving. He has a hypersensitivity to fabrics. 

e: He explains that oftentimes he makes impulsive decisions that others have a hard time keeping up with. 

f: He talks continuously, and I notice that the more passionate he gets about something, the more off topic he got. However, he relatively stayed on topic. 

D: He experiences both symptoms at work and at home. 
E: He says that there have been often times where his symptoms has affected him from doing well in school, keeping the house clean, and receiving better job opportunities, or even keeping a job. 
F: The symptoms are not part of a schizophrenic, etc disorder. 

While the host clearly has mostly inattentive characteristics, he speaks for those with all symptoms. He explains that having a support system is key to getting the most out of treatment and the most out of life with ADHD. In terms of stereotyping, the host explains that he is more of a perfectionist, which is the opposite of most stereotypes of people with ADHD. He says that he often will repeat tasks and do them repeatedly until they are “perfect.” He also states that people with ADHD do some of their best work when they are passionate about something (i.e. entertainers with ADHD are usually the life of the party). This makes me question how much of ADHD can be related or attributed to OCD and how likely OCD and ADHD are comorbid with each other. The host also mentions that people with ADHD have lower self-esteem than the general public and have higher suicide rates. This is because they are aware of how their symptoms and the stigma that comes with it. He explains that nowadays most people are sarcastic about ADHD and most don’t really believe that it is a real disorder. Therefore, people are thought down-upon because others believe that they are making up symptoms for attention. When in fact, people with ADHD don’t want the attention that it given to them and often just want to live functional lives. ADHD is not a negative condition, it is simply a disorder or inattentiveness and activity, meaning that people can live functional lives with this disorder. I hope that more people will become willing to listen to their stories and decrease the stability of the stigma that rests on those with ADHD.