Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) refers to personality dysfunction characterized by a disturbance in a person’s sense of themselves. This disorder typically involves unusual levels of instability in mood. Which includes “black and white” thinking, chaotic and unstable personal relationships, problems with self-esteem and self-respect, identity, and behavior.

In extreme cases, this disturbance in an individual’s sense of self can lead to periods of dissociation. These disturbances can have a pervasive negative impact on many or all aspects of a person’s life. This includes difficulties maintaining relationships in work, home and social areas. Attempted suicide and completed suicide are possible outcomes, without proper care and effective therapy. Individuals with BPD are at high risk of developing other mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression. 

A person with Borderline Personality Disorder usually has wide-ranging problems with social relationships and severe mood dysregulation. Those suffering from this disorder often feel their hardships are worsened by a lack of diagnoses, effective treatment, or accurate information. Personality disorders are difficult to correctly diagnose. They are often misdiagnosed because they are not sharply defined and lack an actual set of diagnostic criteria.

About the Causes

The complexity of personality disorders makes it difficult to firmly establish a genetic predisposition. There are qualities of Borderline Personality Disorder, hypersensitivity to environmental stimuli or impulsive aggression, which may be related to temperament and hereditary factors. Recent research indicates there may be disruption in the functioning of the brain’s limbic system, which regulates emotion. Commonly accepted environmental causes of BPD are psychological trauma, including physical or sexual abuse, an unstable family life as a child, or severe loss (such as death of parents or siblings).

Marsha Linehan, the developer of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), believes BPD is caused by an interplay between biological factors and an “emotionally invalidating” childhood environment. Exposure to high levels of stress, substance abuse, self-medication, medical problems, and difficulties with family or other interpersonal relationships can all contribute to decreased functioning in someone with BPD or onset of a crisis period.

What is the Prognosis for Borderline Personality Disorder?

Research has demonstrated that with effective psychotherapy, sleep and stress management, and psycho-education, symptoms can significantly improve. And the quality of life of someone with Borderline Personality Disorder. A newer treatment modality, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), has produced excellent results in helping persons with BPD. DBT teaches the client how to take control of their life. That includes their emotions, and themselves through self-knowledge, emotion regulation, and restricting thought patterns. In partnership with psychotherapy, and medication when necessary, persons with BPD can also show significant, sustainable improvements to their happiness and quality of life.

Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder may lack insight or blame others for their problems, making them resistant or fearful to seek treatment. Creating the appropriate neuroscientific treatment plan is critical for future success for clients with these symptoms, fears and emotional challenges.

Rates of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and chemical dependency are extremely high with individuals with BPD. Therefore, it is even more important to utilize a complete neuroscientific treatment plan. A plan that will support the regulation of emotions, enhance increasing subtlety in nuanced thinking (versus “black and white” thinking). The key is to learn how to tolerate the normal emotional ups and downs of personal relationships.

If you or a loved one suffers with BPD (or its traits/symptoms), you can find effective, sustainable help and resolution at Awakenings Treatment Center.

You can heal from debilitating emotional, physical and spiritual pain, as well as from patterns you may find repeating in your relationships and all aspects of your life.

Contact us today: 855-717-3268