Borderline personality disorder is a condition that can be incredibly disruptive to a person’s daily life. Someone with borderline personality disorder, or BPD, will often experience difficulty maintaining healthy relationships with friends and family. While there is no cure, borderline personality disorder is considered to be a treatable condition.
Borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that causes a person to have difficulty controlling their emotions. When left untreated, borderline personality disorder can affect how someone is able to view themselves or others. People suffering from borderline personality disorder will often experience intense episodes of rage or depression that can last days.
Borderline personality disorder can often cause problems in relationships or in someone’s performance at work or school. Mood swings and sensitivity can make it hard for people with BPD to maintain healthy relationships with those around them.
Symptoms of BPD will usually first appear in adolescence and gradually get worse into early adulthood. Many have found that symptoms may naturally improve as they get older, however.
Borderline personality disorder affects an estimated 1.4% of the adult population in the United States. Three out of every four people diagnosed with BPD are women. However, recent studies suggest the disorder is just as common in men but commonly misdiagnosed.
The causes of BPD are not fully understood. It is believed to be a combination of biological, environmental, and psychological risk factors. Certain factors suggest that some people may be born more likely to develop BPD.
Biological factors include having a close family member with borderline personality disorder or being born unable to regulate emotions. However, outside of these factors, trauma or abuse even later in life can lead to the development of borderline personality disorder.
The most common symptoms of borderline personality disorder are drastic mood swings and being unable to control emotions. At times, people who have borderline personality disorder are emotionally fragile and insecure, often fearing abandonment from friends and family.
The viewpoint of someone suffering from borderline personality disorder is often “black and white” or experienced through extremes. Something or someone considered “good” one day might be hated the next for a minor issue. People with borderline personality disorder are often incredibly sensitive and can be set off at a moment’s notice.
The combination of mood swings and impulse control caused by the condition can often lead to reckless or dangerous behavior. Without the proper treatment, people with BPD may engage in actions or behaviors that can be harmful to themselves or others.
Suppose a person believes they may have borderline personality disorder. In that case, there is no medical test that can be run to diagnose the condition. Instead, a medical professional will conduct a clinical interview to learn more about the symptoms the person is experiencing.
Medical professionals will refer to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-5. During the clinical interview process, the medical professional will evaluate the patient on each point of criteria. Borderline personality disorder will be diagnosed if a patient is experiencing five or more of the following symptoms:
While there is no cure for borderline personality disorder, it is considered to be a treatable condition. Treatment for BPD is usually built around talk therapy options. Common treatment modalities include cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavioral therapy.
With any treatment for a mental health disorder, it is important to consider the needs of each person. Each person may respond differently to various therapies. It may take time to find the best approach that fits the individual person.
There is no one medication designed for the exclusive treatment of borderline personality disorder. However, several medications may be used to relieve symptoms associated with BPD while the person receives treatment. Certain antidepressants and mood stabilizers may help control mood swings.
While medication can be helpful, it should not be regarded as a singular treatment for BPD. It should be used as one aspect of a broader treatment plan.
Borderline personality disorder can be an extremely disruptive condition that can cause problems at work or school and strain relationships. BPD can be challenging to manage on your own, but treatment is readily available if you seek it. If you or a loved one suffers from borderline personality disorder, don’t hesitate to reach out for help today.
At AM Health Care, we are to help you deal with your mental health in any way possible. We believe in designing a treatment plan that precisely suits your condition and your needs. Mental health disorders can be disruptive and potentially dangerous when left untreated, so there is no reason to wait any longer. Please call us today at 818-383-1297 to learn more about how we can help you and potential treatment options.
Our facilities that offer Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment:
