Collecting the Broken Pieces-"The Borderline Personality Disorder"

Borderline Personality Disorder:

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a serious mental disorder characterized by continuous instability of the emotion regulation system, interpersonal relationships, impulse control and self-image. This long-lasting and severely distressing disorder includes both genetic and environmental factors.

Survival of the fittest:

Borderline personality disorder affects almost about 1 to 2% of the world population in which there are around 10% of outpatients of psychology department, and 20% of inpatients. Almost about 10% of the patients commit suicide and this rate is almost 50 times higher as compared to that in the general population.

"I am battling with myself and everyday its a War"

Signs and Symptoms of BPD:

There are 4 major signs and symptoms of Borderline Disorder which are as follows:

1.     Emotional instability commonly known as is affective dysregulation  
2.     Troubled patterns of perception or thinking also  known as cognitive distortions
3.     Impulsive behavior
4.     Strong but unstable relationships with others

Individuals with Borderline disorder might go through a range of intense and negative emotions, such as:

·        aggression

·        sadness

·        embarrassment

·        panic

·        terror

·        feelings of emptiness which are longer lasting 

Risk factors of Borderline Personality Disorder:

• Brain structure: it is suggested by some studies that differences in some structure/function of areas of the brain that controls impulse and regulation of emotions can cause Borderline disorder. It is still not clear that these differences in brain are the result of having Borderline Disorder, or if they are cause of the disorders.

   

• Family history: Having a parent or sibling with this disorder might also increase its risk.
• Negative past experiences: These include child abuse, negligence or separation from parents at an earlier age but not all people with these traumas develop it. 

Diagnosis of Borderline disorder:

1. Affective criteria

2. Cognitive criteria

3.  Interpersonal criteria

Treatment of Borderline disorder

The usual order of treatment options for borderline disorder includes medications and Psychological consultations in the form of psychotherapy:

a. Types of psychotherapy:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy to work on thought patterns and behavior 

• Dialectical behavioral therapy to work on acceptance, problem solving, skill development, thought patterns, and behavior

• Family therapy to help develop familial support and understanding 

• Group therapy

• Individual therapy

 

b. Medication:

Most common drugs of choice for Borderline disorder are:

• Anti-depressants 

• Selective Serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRI)      

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

• Tricyclics