Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is when a person has an unstable self image that rapidly changes in their own perception of likes, goals, and intrinsic value of themselves. Because of this instability they have a difficult time maintaining stable interpersonal relationships. Individuals with BPD can idealize the other person by viewing them as perfect. However, those emotions rapidly shift to devaluing the same person by seeing them as worthless.

One of the symptoms of BPD is rapid cycling of emotions this means that they can be happy one minute and extremely angry the next this distorts reality for them. Also, they lack impulse control and is viewed by others as self destructive behavior. The significant lack of impulse control can lead to sexual deviance, substance abuse, or over spending to the point of being reckless.

People with BPD often feel empty inside and abandonment due to the fact that they have significantly have a hard time with interpersonal personal relationships (Edwards, 2012). Because of these feelings BPD sufferers often have suicidal behaviors like threats or attempts. Individuals with BPD are highly manipulative to others in order to avoid being abandoned.

Borderline personality disorder stems from childhood. A person with this mental illness has come from a home where the parents could have been divorced, parents were substance abusers, or abuse (Edwards, 2012). BPD can happen equally between men and women, but it is more prevalent in women.

There is no definitive testing for this disorder but a physical can enable the therapist to rule out any physical ailments. Determinations can be made by psychologists conducting an interview that looks for symptoms of BPD. Using diagnostic criteria can rule out other mental health disorders including, mood and anxiety disorders. A thorough assessment has to be done because BPD can be treatment resistant. There are different forms of psychotherapy that have been proven to be effective.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is when a therapist addresses the four areas that are most problematic for people suffering from BPD. These four areas are self-image, impulsivity, rapid cycling, and developing interpersonal relationships with other (Edwards, 2012). Dialectical behavior therapy is a form of cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapy helps an individual to learn coping skills and adjustment.

Another form of therapy for a person with BPD would be a biological treatment.