There are many things you may not know about borderline personality disorder (BPD). Like how it affects 50 percent more people than Alzheimer’s disease. Or how research has shown people with BPD who engage in treatment have good outcomes. Or how just because you’ve seen one media portrayal of someone with BPD, doesn’t mean you know what someone with BPD is actually like.

To shine some light on this misunderstood mental illness, we asked people in our community who live with borderline personality disorder to tell us what they wish others understood.

Here’s what they want you to know:

1. “I feel everything, all the time. It’s exhausting. But it also makes me passionate, which is beautiful.” —

2. “Please don’t point out when I overreact. It’s not easy to get over it myself. I beat myself up over my words and actions fine on my own.” —

5. “Don’t believe the stereotype. Not everyone with BPD has anger outbursts and manipulative behaviors. That’s the type of BPD often portrayed to the extreme in the media, but not everyone with BPD is the same! Just because I don’t fit the stereotypical borderline doesn’t make my illness less valid. —

9. “My moods change constantly. I have zero control of my own emotions. If you think it’s a roller coaster knowing me, imagine how hard it is being stuck in my own head. I promise you that I’m trying hard to keep myself in check, it’s really difficult though.” —

12. “W

15. “Sometimes my constantly switching moods may seem conflicting and make you frustrated, but I’m the one experiencing it. Sometimes I can’t make sense of it either.” —

16. “When I say my moods switch within seconds, I mean literally seconds. That’s why I always say ‘I’m OK’ — because I’ve been called a liar when my mood changes from an extreme high to an extreme low in two seconds. It’s like being on a roller coaster I can’t get off of, no matter how badly I want to.” —

17. “We’re not all lying, attention-seekers. Sometimes we’re just doing our best to survive with the limited skills we have.” —

19. “I have trouble regulating my emotions. Something someone else might be able to let roll off their shoulders might overwhelm me. Living with borderline personality disorder means I have to fight to survive every day.” —

20. “M

*Answers have been edited and shortened.

Editor’s note: Number seven has been reedited to delete a line pertaining to “multiple personalities.”