Borderline personality disorder

Definition

 An individual trait that reflects ingrained, inflexible, and maladaptive patterns of behavior characterized by impulsive and unpredictable actions, mood instability, and unstable interpersonal relationships. Causes, incidence, and risk factors The exact cause of borderline personality disorder is not known. However, several psychological hypotheses rely on biological, social, and psychological factors to understand people with this disorder. The person with a borderline personality is impulsive in areas that have a potential for self-destruction. Risk factors include abandonment issues in childhood or adolescence, sexual abuse, disruptive family life, and poor communication within the family. This personality disorder is often associated with schizotypal, histrionic, narcissistic, and antisocial personality disorders. It tends to occur more often in women.

Symptoms

Relationships with others are intense and unstable. The person will go through frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment by others, and express mood instability and inappropriate anger. There may also be identity uncertainty concerning self-image, long-term goals or career choice, sexual orientation, choice of friends, and values. People with this disorder tend to see things in terms of extremes, either all good or all bad. They view themselves as victims of circumstances and take little responsibility for themselves or for their problems.

Other symptoms include:  

Unstable interpersonal relationships

Frequent displays of temper

lnappropriate anger

Recurrent suicide gestures

Feelings of emptiness and boredom

Intolerance of being alone

Impulsiveness in at least 2 of the following areas: money, substance abuse, sexual relationships, reckless driving, binge eating, shoplifting

Signs and tests 

Psychological history         

Psychological evaluation

Treatment Self-destructive behavior may be modified through peer relationships in social and therapeutic environments. Peer reinforcement of appropriate behavior may be successful because difficulties with authority often impede learning. Group therapy can be helpful in modifying specific impulsive behaviors, as peer pressure in the group may restrain rash behavior.

Drug therapy includes the use of mood stabilizers such as lithium and carbamazepine, antidepressants, and low-dose neuroleptics are also common treatments.

Prognosis Borderline personality disorder has a poor prognosis (probable outcome) as noncompliance with treatment is common. However, people with this disorder who make it through their 30’s and maintain sobriety, may begin to improve.

Complications        

Drug abuse Suicide attempts Eating disorders   

Depression

Calling your health care provider Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you want to hurt yourself or are abusing drugs or food'.