Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
What is it ?
A mental illness marked by a pattern of emotional instability, impulsive behavior, distorted self-image and unstable relationships.
Types
Till date, there are 4 types of BPD
- Discouraged (quite) borderline
- Self-destructive borderline
- Impulsive borderline
- Petulant borderline
Causes
No exact cause is found yet. Though, some factors may have contributed to it:
Genetics: may be a genetic condition.
Environmental factors: may be caused by growing up in a unstable, abusive and neglectful environment.
Serotonin abnormalities: serotonin is a hormone that helps regulate mood. Abnormalities in it may be a cause.
Symptoms
- You have a pattern of unstable relationships.
- You have unstable self-image
- You act impulsively in some areas of your life in ways that can be self-damaging
- You have a history of self-harm or suicidal behaviour
- Frequent mood swings
- Severe and long-term feelings of emptiness
- Difficulty in controlling your anger
- You have periods of stress related paranoia or experience severe dissociation
Complications because of BPD
BPD may increase your risk of other disorders like…..
Depression, anxiety disorder, eating disorder, bipolar disorder and substance abuse
Cure of BPD
Your mental health professional may recommend you these :
- Psychotherapy : There are 3 types
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
- Schema focused therapy
Medication
Medicines doesn't completely cure BPD, but they help relieve symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe you medicines in addition with psychotherapy
- Antidepressants : to treat depression
- Anti-anxiety : to treat anxiety
- Antipsychotics : to treat agressive symptoms
Hospitalization
If your symptoms are very severe, that is if you have suicidal thoughts, suicidal behaviour and thinking about hurting yourself or other…your doctor may recommend you to temporarily stay in hospital for treatment.
If you or someone else is having symptoms or are already suffering from BPD or any other disorder, syndrome and disease, it is recommended to not self-diagnose or take any medicine without medical prescription.
Please know that there are people who love and care for you. You are strong and you'll make it. My prayers and best wishes for you
Reference: Lifetime Course of Borderline Personality Disorder
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