Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness characterized by unstable moods, behaviors, and relationships. The term was first used by psychiatrists to describe this disorder, which was at the "border" of psychosis.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) describes people with BPD as people with a distorted and unstable self-image or sense of self. Without the emotional foundation provided by a belief system or sense of identity, their values, opinions, and feelings can suddenly change. They may feel compelled to do things they would rather not do, or they may not know what they have done.

People with severe BPD have extreme personality changes (psychotic episodes). These generally last a few hours and rarely last more than a few days. Most people who suffer from borderline personality disorder suffer from:

• Difficulty controlling emotions and thoughts
• Impulsive or self-destructive behavior (excessive spending, risky sex, drug or alcohol abuse, reckless driving, or binge eating)
• Chaotic relationships with others alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation

Additional signs and symptoms

• Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment
• Chronic feelings of emptiness or worthlessness
• Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights)
• Transient, stress-related paranoid thoughts
• Feeling disconnected from one's body, thoughts or surroundings (dissociative symptoms)
• Inability to gain any satisfaction from work or hobbies

People with BPD often have an additional disorder (co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis) such as: depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, eating disorders and self-harm. They are at a higher risk of suicidal behavior or suicide.

Causes

There is no single cause of borderline personality disorder. Researchers believe it is due to a combination of several factors, including a person's genes, personal temperament, social interactions and coping skills. A dysfunctional family life, including physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and abandonment during childhood or adolescence, can contribute to the development of BPD. BDP usually begins in adolescence, although some signs of it may occur in childhood.

Diagnosis

After a medical examination to rule out other possible causes of symptoms, the individual is referred to a mental health professional experienced in diagnosing and treating mental disorders, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical social worker, or psychiatric nurse (APRN or ARNP). They can conduct a thorough interview and perform a psychological evaluation to assess symptoms' severity.

Treatment

Psychotherapy is usually the most effective treatment for borderline personality disorder. Medications may be prescribed to treat depression and mood swings. Types of psychotherapy used to treat borderline personality disorder include the following: