Monster Borderline Personality Disorder

Abstract Borderline Personality Disorder, or BPD, is a personality disorder that is characterized by unstable moods, impulsive behavior, intense and unstable interpersonal relationships, fear of abandonment, and a distorted self-image. The character Aileen Wuornos in the 2003 movie Monster displays many of these characteristics. Throughout the movie, she depicts the symptoms of BPD and ultimately ruins her own life due to these behaviors. While movies often stray from reality, it’s important to study them and the way they portray certain topics and issues to see how accurate they are. This way we can help other people understand the things they see in movies.

Borderline Personality Disorder In 2003 the movie Monster was released

The diagnostic criteria says that you need to have at least five of the nine possible symptoms (APA, 2022). The symptoms I believe Aileen shows are fear of abandonment, unstable and intense relationships, identity disturbance, impulsivity, instability of mood and emotions, and intense, uncontrollable anger. While stress-related paranoia might be a symptom, I decided not to include it since it was due to her murders and, in that regard, justified. The impulsive and self-damaging behaviors in this movie are accurate according to the DSM-5-TR. However, the murderous impulses are not something that is part of this specific disorder. The way Aileen gets jealous and possessive over Selby is also a good representation of someone with BPD. Her emotional instability and angry outbursts are a common symptom and also shown in a way that aligns with the book. For example, Lee gets angry at Selby when she thinks she is going to leave her. The DSM-5-TR explains how someone with BPD’s anger is elicited when the people close to them, in this example, Aileen’s lover, is perceived as abandoning. Once the outburst is over, Lee feels guilty, another common occurrence of someone with BPD. Lee’s constant drinking and smoking, as well as her prostitution and reckless spending, are potentially self-damaging impulsive behaviors. All of these are common behaviors that the DSM

However, a “new-wave cognitive-behavioral therapy” called dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is the choice of treatment for many (Comer, 2019). This form of therapy includes both individual and group therapy meetings that work on correcting the behaviors of borderline personality disorder. It puts emphasis on the suicidal and self harming behaviors, but focuses on all of the other features as well. This treatment lasts a year with weekly visits and includes techniques used on other disorders. While this form of therapy has a lot of research support backing it, some might have the opinion that a murderer shouldn’t be involved in group activities. I believe that, in a controlled environment, this would be a very helpful treatment for Aileen. However, she would also need to be treated for her alcohol abuse, which might cause some complications with the