I am a therapist in private practice and regularly see conflicted, confused, anxiety-ridden, and sometimes really mentally ill clients. This lady is almost the poster child for a High Functioning Borderline Personality. Persons with that particular Disorder are the only ones I refuse to see because they're so manipulative, even with their therapists, and usually they did not come to therapy without some kind of great pressure from someone in their lives who they are trying to "please", and they don't think anything is wrong with themselves, anyway. The only factor in her possible disorder that I haven't seen through the letters is the wonderful ability towards glorification or devaluation of the other person. Although she waivers, she seems to present a somewhat balanced and clear view of Jim. I'd have been happier if she was just an asshole, but she's probably supercute and a fun and interesting person and will attract more "rescuers" to her cause, until she realizes that she does need help.

What I said was that this LW seems to have most of the key symptoms of BPD, with the glaring omission of the deification/demonizing of the persons closest to her in her life, and that's why her letter was a bit perplexing. She did not seem to view anyone in black/white terms, i.e. she was fairly normal in that respect. As for that factor being the only one that all professionals in that arena would agree, that is not true. There are other disputes to the point that the Disorder is in the spotlight for being renamed, as knowledge about it has expanded greatly and the time for a new name has come - one that more accurately reflects its characteristics.

Please take a moment to read that letter. That person's response to your vitriol was far calmer and more reasoned than your tomes deserve. Perhaps you need to get an updated copy of the Psych 101 Abnormal Psychology text that is so well-thumbed and maybe go to your local library and check out the DSM II, III, and IV to study the way psychology and diagnoses have evolved. If you are indeed a therapist, and not a hippie-psych throwback (everybody's cool, just live and let live) as you present yourself to be, then I don't see how you could make a living with five-hour sessions with one person, only to tell that poor, confused client coming to you for help that nothing is wrong and they're just a little uptight. Maybe some herbal tea would help your client relax?

BPs wreak so much more damage and havoc to others' lives that is far out of proportion to what anyone would think they could do. The destructive, malicious behavior is showered on those who formerly possessed a tremendous amount of compassion, love, and loyalty for them, and who did not deserve their animalistic, abusive, and terrible behavior. There are also plenty of high-functioning BPs who anyone who didn't know them well would swear were the sweetest, friendliest, most sociable, thoughtful, and attentive people in the world, but who are endlessly viscious to those who have taken the time to know them really well.

I do not know whether the LW has BP, just as you do not know whether she doesn't. Come down from your high horse, your soapbox, and whatever throne to which you've self-ascended, and talk with us lowly folk who do not pretend to channel Jung.

It's nice to know that the most famous person with whom I share a birthday is no longer demonized, especially in light of the current occupant of his post. My boomer mother will be thrilled to discover that it's not so bad that I was born on Nixon's birthday, when she's always maintained that my life would have been so much better if I'd just hurried my entrance to this world by being born the day before, on Elvis' birthday.

When Samantha Bee, correspondent on The Daily Show, showed her video tribute to the hot female anchors and correspondents on news shows, calling them NILFs, she did not mention the possibility of Katie being a NILF. KC's targeted demo is the

middle-aged women to whom she hopes to attract to her show as a comfortable girlfriend. As I am in that target demo, and do not watch tv news, I can see how the ratings have plummeted.

Although I'm not at all interested in sneakers, the celebration of those shoes was a unique part of the culture in the Reagan era of the 80s. Being a Generation Xer who has been suffocated with everything Boomer, including their numerous nostalgic trips and refusal to accept their "senior" status in America, I welcome any reference that doesn't harken to the Beatles, Howdy Doody, or those glorified 1950s. Any validation of Xer's existence and uniqueness is appreciated, thank you.