What is borderline personality disorder?
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental condition in which a person has unstable emotions. These feelings often lead to impulsive actions and chaotic relationships with others.
What are the symptoms of borderline personality disorder?
People with this disorder are often characterized by:
- Being uncertain about who they are
- Their interests and values may change rapidly
- See situations in an extreme way (either very good or very bad).
- Their perceptions of other people may change rapidly.
- Their feelings change often
Other symptoms may include:
- Intolerance of loneliness
- Intense fear of abandonment
- Frequent displays of inappropriate anger
- Frequent feelings of emptiness and boredom
- Repetitive seizures and acts of self-injury, such as slashing wrists or overdose
- Impulsivity, for example, with substance use or sexual intercourse
What causes borderline personality disorder?
The specific cause of BPD is unknown, although it is thought to be related to family, social and genetic factors. Thus, the main risk factors may be:
- Dissociative family life
- Childhood or adolescent neglect
- Sexual, physical or emotional abuse
- Poor communication in the family
What is the treatment of borderline personality disorder?
The treatment of BPD can be done with individual psychotherapy or, in some cases, with group therapy. Pharmacological treatment can also help, but plays a less important role. In some cases it can alleviate mood swings and treat other disorders that may be related to this disorder, such as depression or anxiety.