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What
is Borderline Personality Disorder? The
symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder can be summarized as
instability in mood, thinking, behavior, personal relations, and
self-image. Individuals with the disorder may: ·
demand constant attention and make unreasonable demands ·
avoid being alone by acting out a crisis or dramatizing a
problem ·
display provocative behavior ·
go on eating or spending binges ·
threaten or attempt suicide ·
cut, burn or scratch themselves ·
have mood swings, brief periods of severe depression or
anxiety, or intense anger over something minor ·
engage in self-destructive behavior like reckless driving,
or abuse of alcohol and other drugs ·
say they are bored, life is empty, and they do not know who
they are ·
have delusions and slip temporarily into a psychosis Many
symptoms of Borderline Personality disorder are similar to those found in
other disorders, such as anxiety disorder, schizophrenia and other
personality disorders like: ·
histrionic personality - self-dramatizing, self-indulgent,
demanding, excitable, vain ·
narcissistic personality - intolerant of criticism,
self-important, lacking in empathy, envious, constantly demanding special
favors ·
antisocial personality- callous, reckless, impulsive,
irritable, deceitful, and emotionally shallow. Borderline
Personality Disorder can affect anyone, but it is often diagnosed in
adolescents and young adults. Women seem to develop it more often than
men. Possible
Origins and Causes of Borderline Personality Disorder The
cause of Borderline Personality disorder is still unclear. Research shows
that chemical imbalances in the brain and other biological factors may be
involved, such as heredity. Childhood trauma, such as abuse and neglect,
have also been cited as possible causes. People with personality disorders
often use “defense mechanisms”, or coping strategies, that allow them
to deny responsibility for their feelings and actions. One defense is
called “splitting” – putting some people on a pedestal while
devaluing others. Another defense is called “projective
identification” - which involves denying one’s feelings, attributing
them to someone else, and then behaving in a way that causes the other
person to respond in kind. For example, when the borderline person’s
hostility is reciprocated, they can think and/or act as though it were not
their own. Treatment
Options Counseling
is nearly always the chosen treatment, helping the individual recognize
and control their behaviors and mood swings, and process negative thoughts
and feelings. It is important to address the emotional, spiritual, social,
and vocational needs with the appropriate professional as it is needed.
However, the person receiving counseling should be willing to receive
treatment and open to learning about their own condition (otherwise,
treatment will often not be effective). Personality
disorders are long-standing methods of coping with the world,
relationships, and emotions, that often do not work. Therefore,
individuals with BPD usually require long-term, outpatient treatment.
Medications can be used to help stabilize mood swings and impulsive
behavior. Medication, though, is rarely effective without individual
therapy and group or family therapy as the cornerstone. Center
for Mental Health Services Treatment
and Research for Personality Disorder (TARA) Excerpts from: Mental
Health America
MASTERPEACE Center for Counseling and Development
308 S. Maumee Street, Tecumseh, MI 49286
·
517-423-6889
·
www.mpccd.com
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