Borderline personality disorder is a mental disorder that causes unexplained outbursts, erratic emotional behavior, and severe impulsivity. Individuals who suffer from this particular disorder have constantly changing emotions, some of which are severely dismal, and may cause suicidal thoughts and behaviors. It has been observed that approximately 4 out of 5 sufferers will consider or attempt suicide at some point in their life.
To get what you need to know about borderline personality disorder, especially if it is for yourself or someone you love, you should speak to a physician. An early diagnosis leads to treatment and preventing the disorder from becoming more severe.
Symptoms:
The signs of BPD are usually obvious, and include sudden and intense mood swings, dark thoughts, a constant fear of abandonment and loneliness, and reckless behavior. Affected individuals may do things which are unhealthy or dangerous without thought for themselves or those around them. Imbibing in alcohol, taking drugs, driving over the speed limit, and getting into fights are all common behavior.
BPD sufferers tend to lack empathy, and they will react strongly to situations which make them angry or upset. Sometimes these can trigger aggressive behavior and inappropriate ways of dealing with anger. Individuals with the disorder also have skewed self-images, seeing themselves as unlovable, ugly, or alone.
Causes:
What you need to know about borderline personality disorder is that it often stems from abusive acts in the past. While this is not the case for all BPD, it is commonplace to learn that somebody with this mental disorder had experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse as a child. This makes it difficult for patients to manage their emotions or perceive themselves as worthy of love.
Biology is another strong contributor to the development of the disorder. For some, it can come down to genetics, as proven through studies which have measured mental disorders in siblings and found valid links. Chemical imbalances in the brain or malformed brain tissue can also cause BPD to manifest over time.
Treatment:
Treatment of borderline personality disorder is usually dependent upon some form of talk therapy or psychotherapy. This therapy helps individuals learn how to maintain more stable relationships, manage emotions, and take other people into account before reacting to a situation. Other types of psychotherapy delve deep into personal issues of the past, aiming to find and resolve the underlying reason for the disorder and emotions associated with it.
Medication:
Medication isn't suggested for BPD patients because of the intense suicidal feelings that many of them have. Overdosing is always a fear for physicians who are treating those with mental disorders. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medicine to manage emotional responses, or deal with severe depression. There is no one cure for borderline personality disorder, however, and ongoing therapy is usually required.
For more information on treatment options, or to learn what you need to know about borderline personality disorder, speak to your doctor. Every case is different, and treatment will vary based on the severity of symptoms and the cause of the disorder. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, speak to your doctor immediately, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.