Do I Have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?
What is BPD and What Are the Symptoms of This Psychological Disorder?
Mar 17, 2009
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) has its roots in both biology and early family relationships. People may recognize their own circumstances when reading about the Biosocial Theory of Borderline Personality Disorder.
The diagnosis of BPD is based on the symptoms outlined in the DSM-IV.
Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder
The symptoms of BPD usually appear by early adulthood. They also occur as a pattern across a variety of life situations, rather than occurring solely in one area of life, such as only at the office, or only with a particular person.
General Description of BPD
The person with Borderline Personality Disorder usually has unstable interpersonal relationships characterized by drama, conflict and many ups and downs. In addition, self-image may fluctuate greatly, and may be completely dependent on how others are treating her at the time.
Emotions may fluctuate dramatically and the individual may feel at the mercy of emotions, being unable to function well when upset.
DSM-IV Symptoms for a Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder
If the above paragraph is true, and five or more of the following feelings and behaviors are present, the individual may be diagnosed with BPD.
- The person gets extremely upset over being abandoned or even thinking that she might be abandoned, and she makes frantic efforts to prevent this from happening.
- The individual has very intense personal relationships, where emotions seem to change between love and hate, but are rarely in the middle.
- The person does not have a strong sense of self or is unclear about self-image.
- The person is highly impulsive at at least two ways that can damage the self. This can include things like spending, sex, drug or alcohol abuse, reckless driving or binge eating.
- The person may have threatened or attempted suicide repeatedly, or may be continually mutilating herself in some way.
- The individual may be subject to highly changing moods which last for a few hours up to a few days. Moods which occur can be irritability, anxiety, depression, or general unease.
- He or she may experience chronic feelings of emptiness.
- He or she may have difficulty controlling anger.
- When under stress, the person may feel paranoid or may dissociate. Dissociating can mean feeling disconnected from the world or from one's body, thoughts, feelings, or behavior. For example, a person might do something totally unlike what she usually would do or want to do, and feel as if her body is simply acting without her consent. Or the person can become swamped with emotion for no apparent reason. Amnesia is also a form of dissociation.
Prevalence and Gender Differences in BPD
According to the DSM-IV, approximately 75% of people diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder are female. It is estimated to be present in approximately 2% of the population.
Treatment is Available for Borderline Personality
It was once considered very difficult to help people with Borderline Personality Disorder.
However, recent treatment developments including Marsha Linehan's Dialectical Behavior Therapy, have been shown to be very helpful to people with BPD. Many of the symptoms of BPD are also thought to remit with age, but why suffer and wait? Effective treatment is available now.
The diagnosis of BPD is based on symptoms as outlined in the DSM-IV. The symptoms are characterized by instability in emotions, self-image, and relationships. Effective treatment is available.
This article is for general information only. It is not intended to be a substitute for personal medical or mental health treatment. People with troubling physical or emotional symptoms should seek the advice of a health care or mental health professional.
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