What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
According to the National Institute for Mental Health website “Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness marked by unstable moods, behavior, and relationships.” Majority of people with BPD have problems with regulating emotions and thoughts, impulsive and reckless behavior, tend to have unstable relationships with other people. Some also suffer from other mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, addictions, and eating disorders, in addition with self-harm, suicidal behaviors, and completed suicides. (Gunderson, 2009) (Borderline Personality Disorder, 2016)
Causes
According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration about 1.6-5.9% of adults in the United …show more content…
Studies on twins at the University of Minnesota with BPD suggest that the illness is strongly inherited. Additional studies shows that a person can inherit his or her temperament and specific personality traits, particularly impulsiveness and aggression. (Livesley, 1993) Social or cultural factors may increase the risk for BPD. For example, being part of a community with gangs, in which there is a lot of unstable family relationships. Areas where impulsiveness, poor judgment in lifestyle choices, and reckless or risky behavior are viewed as normal and acceptable. Adults with BPD are more likely to be the victim of violence, including rape and other crimes. (Minnesota Twin and Family Studies , 2011) (Lewis, 2014)
Signs & Symptoms
According to the DSM, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR), to be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, a person must show a pattern of behavior that includes at least five of the following symptoms:
• Extreme reactions—including panic, depression, rage, or frantic actions—to abandonment, whether real or perceived.
• Pattern of intense and stormy relationships with family, friends, and loved ones, often veering from extreme closeness and love to extreme dislike or anger.
• Distorted and unstable self-image or sense of self, which can result in sudden changes in feelings, opinions, values, or plans and goals for the …show more content…
However, research shows that BPD can be treated effectively, and that many people with this illness improve over time. BPD can be treated with psychotherapy. In some cases, a professional may also recommend medications to treat specific symptoms. When a person is under more than one professional's care, it is essential for the professionals to coordinate with one another on the treatment plan. Research on treatments is still in very limited. More studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of these treatments, who may benefit the most, and how best to deliver
According to the National Institute for Mental Health website “Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness marked by unstable moods, behavior, and relationships.” Majority of people with BPD have problems with regulating emotions and thoughts, impulsive and reckless behavior, tend to have unstable relationships with other people. Some also suffer from other mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, addictions, and eating disorders, in addition with self-harm, suicidal behaviors, and completed suicides. (Gunderson, 2009) (Borderline Personality Disorder, 2016)
Causes
According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration about 1.6-5.9% of adults in the United …show more content…
Studies on twins at the University of Minnesota with BPD suggest that the illness is strongly inherited. Additional studies shows that a person can inherit his or her temperament and specific personality traits, particularly impulsiveness and aggression. (Livesley, 1993) Social or cultural factors may increase the risk for BPD. For example, being part of a community with gangs, in which there is a lot of unstable family relationships. Areas where impulsiveness, poor judgment in lifestyle choices, and reckless or risky behavior are viewed as normal and acceptable. Adults with BPD are more likely to be the victim of violence, including rape and other crimes. (Minnesota Twin and Family Studies , 2011) (Lewis, 2014)
Signs & Symptoms
According to the DSM, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR), to be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, a person must show a pattern of behavior that includes at least five of the following symptoms:
• Extreme reactions—including panic, depression, rage, or frantic actions—to abandonment, whether real or perceived.
• Pattern of intense and stormy relationships with family, friends, and loved ones, often veering from extreme closeness and love to extreme dislike or anger.
• Distorted and unstable self-image or sense of self, which can result in sudden changes in feelings, opinions, values, or plans and goals for the …show more content…
However, research shows that BPD can be treated effectively, and that many people with this illness improve over time. BPD can be treated with psychotherapy. In some cases, a professional may also recommend medications to treat specific symptoms. When a person is under more than one professional's care, it is essential for the professionals to coordinate with one another on the treatment plan. Research on treatments is still in very limited. More studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of these treatments, who may benefit the most, and how best to deliver