Football Star Admits, “Right now, today, I am vulnerable.”
Miami Dolphin’s wide-receiver Brandon Marshall is not a stranger to making headlines; his ex-gf documented his abuse on camera, while his current wife was arrested for stabbing him.
This time the NFL star wants to receive a different kind of attention – he’s admitted to being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.
The National Institute for Mental Health characterizes BPD as an illness that causes “pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image and behavior.” BPD is most common in adults and affects more than six million people in the U.S. each year, according to recent studies. These symptoms can make it difficult for the individual to manage their home and work lives, but with help, many sufferers improve over time and can live healthy, productive lives.
“Right now, today, I am vulnerable,” Marshall said. “I am making myself vulnerable. And I want it to be clear that this is the opposite of damage control. The only reason why I’m standing here today is to use my story to help others who may suffer from what I suffer from.”
According to The National Center For Biotechnology Information
Risk factors for BPD include:
- Abandonment in childhood or adolescence
- Disrupted family life
- Poor communication in the family
- Sexual abuse
People with BPD also tend to see things in terms of extremes, such as either all good or all bad. Their views of other people may change quickly. A person who is looked up to one day may be looked down on the next day. These suddenly shifting feelings often lead to intense and unstable relationships.
Other symptoms of BPD include:
- Fear of being abandoned
- Feelings of emptiness and boredom
- Frequent displays of inappropriate anger
- Impulsiveness with money, substance abuse, sexual relationships, binge eating, or shoplifting
- Intolerance of being alone
- Repeated crises and acts of self-injury, such as wrist cutting or overdosing
I commend Marshall for stepping up and admitting his mental disorder publicly. Public figures who admit to their ailments helps to ease the stigma of mental illness for people who are not as famous.
Good luck to him and his family as he continues his treatment.
Learn to take control of your mental health; go to the Dr. Owens Mental Health Prescreen Assessment and check your mental status today!
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