Borderline Personality Disorder - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness. It is characterized primarily by emotional dysregulation. BPD is usually chronic, and severe problems often continue to be present for many years. People with the disorder often behave self-destructively, have problems managing anger, and have an intense fear of being rejected and left alone (abandoned). People with BPD often have highly unstable patterns of social relationships. While they can develop intense but stormy attachments, their attitudes towards family, friends, and loved ones may suddenly shift from idealization (great admiration and love) to devaluation (intense anger and dislike). People with BPD exhibit other impulsive behaviors, such as excessive spending, binge eating and risky sex. BPD often occurs together with other psychiatric problems, particularly bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and other personality disorders. Biological factors in BPD probably consist of inborn temperamental abnormalities. Impulsivity and emotional instability are unusually intense in these patients, and these traits are known to be heritable. Psychological factors in this illness vary a great deal. Some borderline patients describe highly traumatic experiences in their childhood, such as physical or sexual abuse.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD is a common disorder with estimates running as high as 10-14% of the general population. Social factors in BPD reflect many of the problems of modern society. Borderline personality disorder affects approximately 2% of the general population. About 75% of those diagnosed with borderline personality disorder are females. Treatment includes psychotherapy which allows the patient to talk about both present difficulties and past experiences in the presence of an empathetic, accepting and non-judgemental therapist. Sometimes medications such as antidepressants, lithium carbonate, or antipsychotic medication are useful for certain patients or during certain times in the treatment of individual patients. Brief hospitalization may sometimes be necessary during acutely stressful episodes or if suicide or other self-destructive behavior threatens to erupt. The goals of treatment could include increased self-awareness with greater impulse control and increased stability of relationships. A positive result would be in one's increased tolerance of anxiety. Therapy should help to alleviate psychotic or mood-disturbance symptoms and generally integrate the whole personality.

Causes of Borderline Personality Disorder

Common Causes and Risk factors of Borderline Personality Disorder

• Genetics.
• Environmental factors.
• Brain abnormalities.
• Social factors

Signs and Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder

Sign and Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder

• Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging .
• Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior.
• Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood.
• Chronic feelings of emptiness.
• Fear of being alone.
• Difficulty controlling emotions or impulses.

Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder

Common Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder

• Treatment includes psychotherapy which allows the patient to talk about both present difficulties and past experiences in the presence of an empathetic, accepting and non-judgemental therapist.
• Sometimes medications such as antidepressants, lithium carbonate, or antipsychotic medication are useful for certain patients or during certain times in the treatment of individual patients.
• Brief hospitalization may sometimes be necessary during acutely stressful episodes or if suicide or other self-destructive behavior threatens to erupt. Hospitalization may provide a a temporary removal from external stress.
• Outpatient treatment is usually difficult and long-term - sometimes over a number of years. Therapy should help to alleviate psychotic or mood-disturbance symptoms and generally integrate the whole personality.