Rugby World Cup: Wales prop Donna Rose on life with borderline personality disorder
Wales and Saracens star Donna Rose once kept her borderline personality disorder hidden, but now wants to use rugby platform to help others struggling; turning professional has given former carpenter and chef confidence to be open and honest about condition.
“People thought I was on the wrong side of everything, or just naughty’, Wales and Saracens prop Donna Rose says matter-of-factly. “It took everything inside of me to come out with it.”
The 31-year-old hasn’t always been comfortable talking about her borderline personality disorder (BPD) condition, the mental health illness that impacts an individual’s ability to regulate their emotions.
“I don’t shout about it,” Rose tells Sky Sports. “I like to be treated like a normal human being. If I’m sad, I don’t want people running over to me and being over-caring. I’m quite good at getting myself back from that.
Rose was in her early 20s when she was diagnosed with BPD having spent time in and out of hospital having regular tests and spending sessions with a councillor. However, it wasn’t until a few years later that she felt comfortable and confident to open up about her condition and help others struggling with their mental health.
