[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 50 (Tuesday, April 1, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1847-H1848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF BORDERLINE PERSONALITY AWARENESS
MONTH
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1005) supporting the goals and ideals
of Borderline Personality Awareness Month, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1005
Whereas borderline personality disorder (BPD) affects the
regulation of emotion and afflicts approximately 2 percent of
the general population;
Whereas BPD is a leading cause of suicide, as an estimated
10 percent of individuals with this disorder take their own
lives;
Whereas BPD usually manifests itself in adolescence and
early adulthood;
Whereas symptoms of BPD include self-injury; rage;
substance abuse; destructive impulsiveness; a pattern of
unstable emotions, self-image, and relationships; and may
result in suicide;
Whereas BPD is inheritable and is exacerbated by
environmental factors;
Whereas official recognition of BPD is relatively new, and
diagnosing it is often impeded by lack of awareness and
frequent co-occurrence with other conditions, such as
depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, anxiety, and
eating disorders;
Whereas despite its prevalence, enormous public health
costs, and the devastating toll it takes on individuals,
families, and communities, BPD only recently has begun to
command the attention it requires;
Whereas it is essential to increase awareness of BPD among
people suffering from this disorder, their families, mental
health professionals, and the general public by promoting
education, research, funding, early detection, and effective
treatments; and
Whereas the National Education Alliance for Borderline
Personality Disorder and the National Alliance on Mental
Illness have requested that Congress designate May as
Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month as a means of
educating our Nation about this disorder, the needs of those
suffering from it, and its consequences: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the
goals and ideals of Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness
Month.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
General Leave
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend
their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.
Res. 1005, as amended, which expresses support for greater recognition
of the goals and ideals of Borderline Personality Awareness Month.
H. Res. 1005 was introduced by Representative Tom Davis of Virginia,
a longstanding member and leader on the Oversight and Government Reform
Committee, on February 27, 2008, and has the support and cosponsorship
of over 50 Members of Congress. The measure was considered by the
Oversight panel on March 13, 2008, and was passed by voice vote at that
time after being amended for technical purposes.
Madam Speaker, while many people may not be aware of borderline
personality disorder, it is a mental illness that is more common than
bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and has been found to affect a
little over 2 percent of adults, particularly young women.
BPD, as it is commonly referred to as, is a serious mental illness
characterized by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal
relationships, self-image, and behavior. The instability caused by this
illness often leads to disruptions in one's family and work life, long-
term planning, and ultimately a person's sense of self-identity.
Each and every one of us has a personality; however, for those
individuals who suffer from personality traits that are inflexible,
maladaptive, or psychologically disruptive, more research and awareness
on borderline personality disorder is an absolute must. And that is why
I rise in support of H. Res. 1005. Passage of this measure will help to
raise the profile and the general public's understanding of borderline
personality disorder and the corresponding BPD month of awareness.
I commend Representative Davis from Virginia for introducing this
legislation and urge its passage.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, mental illness affects Americans all across the
Nation. It afflicts those of us from all races, colors, religions, and
income levels. It doesn't wait for a convenient time to surface. It
strikes indiscriminately, without regard to the challenges, pain, and
anguish it visits upon the families and friends of its victims.
It is important that we recognize the struggle people with these
afflictions endure as they strive for a normal life. It is equally
important we recognize the struggles visited upon those friends and
family members who have to cope with the disease and, often, the victim
him or herself.
Today, this House will take an important step in raising awareness of
a little known and often misunderstood mental illness. I urge my
colleagues to join me in supporting the designation of May as
Borderline Personality Awareness Month.
Borderline personality disorder is a devastating psychiatric disorder
caused by the inability of the afflicted individual to manage emotions
effectively. Symptoms of this disorder include impulsivity, mood
swings, episodes of rage, bodily self-harm, chaotic relationships, and
fear of abandonment. Some people with this disorder can't hold a job.
Others are high functioning. But in any case their private lives are
often in turmoil.
More than 3 million American adults have borderline personality
disorder. Twenty percent of patients admitted to psychiatric hospitals
have borderline personality disorder. Their victims have a suicide rate
400 times that of the general population.
Madam Speaker, these numbers call us to action. Although this
disorder was officially recognized by the psychiatric community in
1980, studies have shown it lags far behind in research, treatment
options, and family education compared to other psychiatric disorders
of similar prevalence. With passage of H. Res. 1005, this House will
take an important step in spreading awareness of this disorder. Madam
Speaker, the National Alliance on Mental Illness maintains a help line
at 1-800-950-6264 for general information on mental illness. This help
line can help those in need of assistance.
I am proud to have sponsored this resolution and am greatly
encouraged by our considering of it today. Passage of this will go a
long way to increase awareness of its existence and the heavy toll this
disorder takes on our society. I applaud the work the National Alliance
on Mental Illness and the National Education Alliance on Borderline
Personality Disorder have been doing throughout our Nation in this
vital area.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.
Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res.
1005, a resolution supporting the designation of May as Borderline
Personality Disorder Awareness Month. I want to thank my colleague Tom
Davis for his leadership on an issue that is very important to many
Americans.
Borderline personality disorder is a serious mental health illness
that centers on the inability of people to manage their emotions
effectively. Approximately 4 million Americans suffer from borderline
personality disorder. Its symptoms include destructive impulsiveness,
rage, marked shifts in mood, bodily self-harm,
[[Page H1848]]
chaotic relationships, fears of abandonment, substance abuse, and
unstable self-identity. Although it was officially recognized in 1980
by the psychiatric community, borderline personality disorder is at
least two decades behind in research, treatment options, and education
compared to other major mental illnesses.
Borderline personality disorder can have a devastating impact on
people's lives. While some persons with this disorder may be
functioning normally in certain settings, their private lives are often
in turmoil. Others are unable to work and require financial support. If
Americans would like more information on borderline personality
disorder, I encourage them to visit the National Education Alliance for
Borderline Personality Disorder Web site at www.neabpd.org or the
National Alliance on Mental Illness Web site at www.nami.org.
Madam Speaker, this resolution acknowledges the pressing burden of
those afflicted with borderline personality disorder and seeks to
spread awareness of this under-recognized, and often misunderstood,
mental illness. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1005, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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