What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition that affects a person’s thinking and the way they feel about themselves and others. People with this condition find it hard to be in relationships and have frequent displays of emotional instability. This condition commonly appears during late teens or adolescence. BPD is seen more in women than men. The term 'borderline' is used since this condition was originally thought by clinicians to be between neurosis and psychosis. Symptoms can be treated by medications and counseling.
What are the Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline personality disorder can be recognized by signs and symptoms which vary from severe to manageable including:
- Anxiety and depression
- Sudden mood swings
- Uncontrollable emotions
- Relationship instability
- Feelings of emptiness
- Being self-destructive
- Having suicidal thoughts
- Difficulty managing financial affairs
- Anger issues
Causes of Borderline Personality Disorder
A borderline personality disorder may be caused by a combination of various factors that include:
- Genes: There may be a genetic predisposition as there are more chances to develop this illness if there is a positive family history.
- Abuse and Trauma: People that have suffered sexual, physical, or emotional abuse are at a higher risk of developing this condition.
- Environmental Factors: Growing up in a harsh environment or being neglected as a child may increase the chances of developing BPD.
- Brain Abnormality: Brain injuries, strokes, and chemical imbalance in the brain may also contribute to the development of BPD.
Diagnosis of BPD
Most BPD symptoms overlap with other mental illness conditions making it quite difficult to diagnose this condition. Your doctor will work with you to obtain a clear picture of symptoms and your overall health condition. A detailed psychological evaluation is done with questions about your symptoms, behaviors, relationships, and mental health history. A physical exam may be performed to rule out other health conditions which may be a reason for your symptoms.
Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder
The various treatment options for borderline personality disorder include:
- Psychotherapy: Some of the main psychotherapy treatment methods are:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) -This therapy helps to change disturbing thoughts to more positive thoughts.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy - This therapy teaches the patient the skills required to regulate emotions and develop positivity.
- Medications: These include antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and anti-anxiety or depression medications to lessen and manage the symptoms.
- Hospital Stay: Short-term admission to the hospital may be necessary to regulate the medications in severe cases such as if the patient has attempted suicide or if other forms of treatment are ineffective.
