Borderline Personality Disorder

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Borderline Personality Disorder is defined by mood instability and poor self-image. Those suffering from borderline personality disorder are impulsive and reckless and this instability often disrupts long-term planning, family and work life, and the individual's sense of self-identity. Individuals often partake in risky sex, gambling, binge eating, excessive spending and substance abuse.

Although some symptoms resemble those of bipolar disorder and depression, borderline personality disorder is characterised by intense bouts of anger, anxiety or depression only lasting hours or days. Mood swings vary from periods of dysphoria to periods of euphoria, from manic self-confidence to severe anxiety and irritability. Thus people with Borderline Personality Disorder suffer from a disorder of emotion regulation.

Individuals are terrified of being abandoned, which may lead to an excessive dependency on others and frantic attempts to avoid abandonment. However, patterns of unstable social relationships are often frequent; people with Borderline Personality Disorder often shift from great admiration to intense dislike of friends, family and loved ones. The sufferer will often take their anger out on themselves causing themselves injury, and suicide threats and actions are not uncommon.

Those with Borderline Personality Disorder generally have difficulty with their own sense of identity and need constant affirmation to support their sense of self worth and self-image. They regularly feel unfairly misunderstood or mistreated, bored and empty. Borderline Personality Disorder is often accompanied with other personality disorders, anxiety disorders, depression and substance abuse. While Borderline Personality Disorder is less well known than schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, it is more common.

Symptoms:

Mood swings

Frantic attempts to avoid abandonment

Difficulty controlling emotions or impulses

Unstable relationships, with variations from idealisation to devaluation

Unstable self-image or sense of self

Impulsive actions

Suicidal thoughts

Boredom and emptiness

Intense anger

Difficulty controlling temper

Causes:

The cause of Borderline Personality Disorder is still unknown. However, it is most likely that a combination of factors are involved. Hereditary factors, neglect during childhood and abuse during childhood are examples of those thought to play a role in the development of the disorder.

Treatment:

A new psychosocial treatment called dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) has been developed specifically to treat Borderline Personality Disorder. However, group and individual psychotherapy is partly effective for many patients with Borderline Personality Disorder. Medication is also sometimes prescribed based on specific symptoms shown by the individual.

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This content is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the advice given by any professional.