About
Dr. Karim Mansour is a dual-trained psychiatrist and psychotherapist based in London. He trained at King's College London and completed specialist training in Mentalization-Based Treatment under the supervision of the Tavistock Clinic. He works with adults with complex emotional needs, including BPD, in both NHS and private practice.
Therapeutic Approach
Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT), psychodynamic psychotherapy, medication management.
Story Reflections(5)
In my experience, the profound impact described here, particularly the whiplash between idealization and devaluation, speaks to the deep dysregulation that can occur in relationships marked by intense emotional swings. It's a testament to your resilience that you're seeking to understand this complex dynamic, and recognizing that your lingering feelings are a natural response to an incredibly challenging relational environment is a crucial step in healing. This journey of disentangling yourself from such a powerful psychological cocktail is not about weakness, but about reclaiming your sense of self and safety.
This story, "We Built Something Real," immediately resonated with me. As a therapist working with individuals and couples impacted by BPD, I often encounter the pervasive and damaging narrative of BPD as solely a "warning" or "survival guide." This partner's desire to articulate a different experience is incredibly powerful and speaks to the resilience and love that can exist within these relationships. Their four-year commitment itself is a testament to the possibility of building something enduring, even amidst the challenges that BPD can present.
This excerpt immediately resonates with me. As a therapist, I deeply appreciate the author's commitment to moving beyond "clinical distance" and embracing the transformative power of working with individuals with BPD. Their twenty years of experience, with twelve specifically in personality disorder services, speaks volumes about their dedication and the breadth of their understanding. I find myself nodding in agreement with the idea that these encounters are not just about treating a condition, but about being fundamentally "changed" by the human experiences shared.
Reading this, I'm struck by the profound impact of family dynamics when one member lives with BPD. The sibling's narrative of being the "easy one" resonates deeply with the often unspoken burdens carried by family members. It highlights a common pattern where siblings, in an effort to maintain some semblance of stability or to simply avoid adding to the family's stress, inadvertently suppress their own needs and experiences. This isn't a conscious choice, but a survival mechanism that can lead to complicated feelings of pride and resentment later in life.
This excerpt immediately resonated with me, highlighting a crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of living with Borderline Personality Disorder: the "quiet periods." As a therapist, I frequently witness the intense focus on crisis management, and while essential, it can inadvertently diminish the significance of these calmer phases. The author's feeling of disorientation during these times is particularly poignant. It speaks to the internal struggle of navigating a world that often only acknowledges the extremes of BPD, leaving individuals feeling isolated and uncertain when their internal experience doesn't align with the dramatic narratives.