Borderline Personality Disorder Overview and Guide
Borderline personality disorder is a condition in which people have unstable emotions which lead to stress and other problems. People who suffer from borderline personality disorder have distorted self images, may feel worthless or flawed and are often angry and impulsive. Mood swings can cause people with borderline personality disorder to push people away, especially those who they love making relationships difficult.
Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder
There are many different symptoms associated with borderline personality disorder. The symptoms of this disorder can change the way a person feels about themselves as well as how they relate and behave around others. People with borderline personality disorder will often feel insecure about who they are and may even have a poor self image or low self-esteem.
Impulsive and risk behavior is associated with this disorder. People who have a borderline personality may drive crazy or risk unsafe sex. They are often involved in illegal drug use and sometimes other illegal activities as well as gambling. Borderline personality disorder causes people to do things that other people usually would not take part in such as certain risky behaviors or things that are known to be extremely unsafe.
Borderline personality disorder may cause short episodes of anxiety or depression. When people with borderline personality disorder have depressed episodes or have an anxiety attack the episode is usually very pronounced and intense but will not last long. Emotions and impulses are difficult to control for people with borderline personality disorder.
Another common symptom of borderline personality disorder is the fear of being alone. Strong emotions may come and go causing people with borderline personality disorder to have mixed emotions or feelings about themselves and of others. Suicidal behavior is also a common symptom of borderline personality disorder.
Borderline Personality Disorder Causes
Borderline personality disorder is a personality disorder that is not fully understood. There are some factors that play into the disorder including genetics, environmental factors, and brain abnormalities. People who are twins or who have family members that suffer from borderline personality disorder are at an increased risk of suffering from borderline personality disorder.
Certain environmental factors also play into the risk of an individual suffering from borderline personality disorder. People who suffer from child abuse, neglect or separation from loved ones may be more at risk for later borderline personality disorder. Researchers are not 100% sure if these environmental factors make an individual more or less likely to suffer from the disorder or how severe these factors must be in order to increase the risk.
Brain abnormalities such as those that cause the emotions to be regulated improperly may also lead to borderline personality disorder. Some research has shown that changes in the brain in areas that are involved in the regulation of emotions and in impulsivity and aggression may also have a role in increasing the risk of an individual developing borderline personality disorder.
Borderline Personality Disorder Treatments
Various types of treatments are available for borderline personality disorder. The most common types of treatment include psychotherapy and medication but in severe cases hospitalization may also be required. People with borderline personality disorder may need to be treated for other disorders that result from the borderline personality such as anxiety and depression before sustaining treatment for the root cause of the disorder.
Psychotherapy such as dialectical behavior therapy or transference focused psychotherapy are both commonly used to treat borderline personality disorder. Dialectical behavior therapy is specifically designed to treat borderline personality disorder by teaching the individual how to regulate emotions. People who endure this type of treatment for borderline personality disorder will also learn how to tolerate stress and to improve relationships with their friends and loved ones.
Another common type of treatment for borderline personality disorder is transference focused psychotherapy which centers on the relationship between the individual and the therapist. This type of therapy helps the individual with the borderline personality to understand the emotions and difficulties that are developed so that new relationships can be developed and successfully managed.
Although medications can't cure borderline personality disorder, certain medications can be used to help with some of the problems associated with this condition. Depression and anxiety can be treated with medication. Additional symptoms such as impulsivity may also be treated with medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anti-anxiety medications.
In severe cases, an individual with borderline personality disorder may need to be hospitalized. Hospitalization is a last resort treatment for borderline personality disorder and is usually reserved for people whose borderline personality places them at risk for suicide or self harm. Intense counseling and therapy may be received for people with borderline personality disorder in a psychiatric hospital or clinic setting that is safe and can protect the individual from self harm or injury.
Treatment for borderline personality disorder is usually long term. The best chances for successful treatment of borderline personality disorder will come when the individual works with mental health providers at rehab centers and takes a proactive stance on treating their disorder. Rehab center specialists will usually have extensive experience in treating mental health disorders such as borderline personality.
Sticking to the treatment plan that is mapped out by doctors, mental health specialists and therapists at rehab centers provides the best possible option for those suffering from borderline personality disorder. It is important to attend all therapy sessions and to learn new healthy ways to cope with painful emotions without inducing self harm or self injury. People with borderline personality disorder can also learn what types of activities trigger certain behaviors or outbursts of the borderline personality to help them curb the emotions and the stress associated with the disorder and life a more manageable life.
Recovery from borderline personality disorder has no direct path and there are many different treatment options. This condition is often worse in young adults than it is in the older population which means that in many cases a borderline personality disorder may improve with age. People who suffer from borderline personality disorder should seek treatment and work directly with rehab centers, specialists and therapists for the best possible outcome and care.