Borderline personality disorder
Alternative Names
Borderline personality disorder, Personality disorder - borderlineWhat is Borderline personality disorder
Borderline personality disorder is an emotional disorder characterizing by emotional instability that leads to stress and other problems.
People with borderline personality disorder have a distorted image of themselves. They feel worthless and fundamentally flawed. Their anger, impulsivity and frequent mood swings may push other people away, even though they want loving relationships.
Signs and symptoms
Interests and values of people with BPD may change rapidly, because they are often uncertain about their identity.
People suffering from BPD also have a tendency to see things in terms of extremes such as either all good or all bad. Their views of other people may change quickly. A person who is looked up to one day may be looked down on the next day. Therefore, they have intense and unstable relationships.
Other symptoms of BPD include the followings:
- Fear of being abandoned
- Feelings of emptiness and boredom
- Frequent displays of inappropriate anger
- Impulsiveness with money, substance abuse, sexual relationships, binge eating, or shoplifting
- Intolerance of being alone
- Repeated crises and acts of self-injury, such as wrist cutting or overdosing
Possible complications
Borderline personality disorder commonly can lead to such complications as:
- Depression
- Drug abuse
- Problems with work, family and social relationships
- Suicide attempts and actual suicide
What causes
Unfortunately, the exact cause of borderline personality disorder is still unknown. Scientists suppose that the possible causes may be genetic, family and social factors.
Prevention
Borderline personality disorder is unpreventable. But you may be able to prevent a return of your symptoms by going to your counseling appointments and taking your medicines as prescribeв by your doctor.
Treatment
Such type of individual talk therapy as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is effective for treating BPD. Additionally, group therapy can help change self-destructive behaviors.
Your doctor may prescribe you some medications to help level mood swings and treat depression or other disorders that may occur with this condition.
