Borderline Personality Disorder

Bella Abdalla

Causes

Known Causes For BPD Include:
- genetics
- brain abnormalities
- environmental factors
(child abuse/neglect)

Risk Factors

Known Factors In BPD Development Include:
- stressful childhood
- hereditary predisposition (if a family member has the same disorder)


Signs of BPD

- fear of abandonment
- unstable relationships
- unclear/shifting self-image
- impulsive, self-destructive behaviors
- self harm
- extreme emotional swings
- chronic feelings of emptiness
- explosive anger
- feeling suspicious or out of touch with reality

Uncommon Signs

- food habits resembling eating an disorder- mood swings that mimic sever depression- manic episodes- recurring panic attacks- drug/medication abuse


Diagnosing Borderline Personality Disorder


Criteria:

- chronic feelings of emptiness
- day-to-day emotional instability
- frantic efforts to avoid abandonment
- unstable self-image
- impulsive behaviors
- self harmful behaviors
- displays of temper
- unstable interpersonal relationships
- suicidal behavior
- stress-related paranoia
- dissociation


Mental Health Professionals Include:

- psychiatrist
- social worker
- counselor
- nurse practitioner
- psychologist

Qualifications To Look For:

- specializing in treating BPD
- dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- certified by DBT-linehan board of certification

Treatments

The main treatment for borderline personality disorder is a combination of counseling and medication.

Counseling

The goal of counseling is to help manage emotions. Depending on symptoms and circumstance different types of counseling for BPD include:
- dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- schema-focused therapy

Medications

Best medication for BPD include:
- abilify (aripiprazole)
- carbatrol (carbamazepine ER)
- fluvoxamine maleate
- haloperidol
- lamictal (lamotrigine)
- zyprexa (olanzapine)
- topamax (topiramate)

Complications

Some complications that come with untreated BPD can include:- job loss
- a desire to engage in reckless behaviors
- at greater risk of mental illness

How can BPD cause conflict within interpersonal relationships?

People with BPD have a black-and-white view of the world: Things and people are either good or bad. Those with BPD have constantly changing feelings. This can cause distrust and stress in any relationship.
Those with BPD tend to have a fear of abandonment. They feel they are at risk of being left behind. Unstable or codependent relationships can be formed with BPD, which is unhealthy for both in the relationship.

Sources

“Borderline Personality Disorder Complications.” EverydayHealth.Com, https://www.everydayhealth.com/bpd/complications/. Accessed 12 May 2022.
“Borderline Personality Disorder - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237. Accessed 12 May 2022.
Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237. Accessed 12 May 2022.“Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) - HelpGuide.Org.” Https://Www.Helpguide.Org, https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-disorders/borderline-personality-disorder.htm. Accessed 12 May 2022.“Borderline Personality Disorder Complications.” EverydayHealth.Com, https://www.everydayhealth.com/bpd/complications/. Accessed 12 May 2022.Borderline Personality Disorder Treatments & Medications | SingleCare. https://www.singlecare.com/conditions/borderline-personality-disorder-treatment-and-medications. Accessed 12 May 2022.“What Are the Treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder?” WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/treatment-borderline-personality-disorder. Accessed 12 May 2022.“What to Expect During a Borderline Personality Disorder Assessment.” Verywell Mind, https://www.verywellmind.com/bpd-assessment-process-what-to-expect-425173. Accessed 12 May 2022.