By Stephanie Mojica
Overview
Borderline personality disorder is a mental illness that affects 2 percent of people of all ages and backgrounds, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. While formal diagnosis information is rarely made public unless the patient self-discloses the information, there are observations regarding celebrities who had or have borderline personality disorder.
What It Is
"Borderlines" are usually right between neurosis and psychosis, and have patterns of self-destructive behavior, intense relationships and extreme fear of abandonment. Many people with borderline personality disorder also have anger problems, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (see Resources).
Princess Diana
People close to the late Princess Diana, and author Sally Bedell Smith, have suggested the Princess had borderline personality disorder. She had bouts with bulimia, intense relationships and abandonment fears stemming from her absent parents early in life (see Resources).
Marilyn Monroe
"Borderline" was not a common term when Marilyn Monroe was alive, but sources close to the late film icon have reported her drug abuse, stormy relationships and need for companionship that fits with the criterion for a borderline personality diagnosis (see Resources).
Adolf Hitler
Hitler was known both for his charm and anger, and throughout most of his life stayed right at the border between neurosis and psychosis. This suggests a possible borderline personality disorder (see Resources).
Susanna Kaysen
Susanna Kaysen is a diagnosed borderline who made her struggles with the disease public in her memoir "Girl, Interrupted," which became a popular movie starring Angelina Jolie and Winona Ryder. Kaysen is considered by medical professionals a "cured" borderline, according to her book (see Resources).
Famous People Who Have Borderline Personality Disorder by greatwellbeinglife.com