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The Beginner's Guide to Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder

Farah Ali
29 Jul 2022

Borderline Personality Disorder is a mental disorder that makes it difficult for a person to feel comfortable in themselves. It causes problems regulating emotions and thoughts, mood swings, impulsive actions, unstable relationships, and an impaired self-image. A person with borderline personality disorder may experience intense episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety that can last from a few hours to days. This article provides a list of questions about borderline personality disorder with answers.

What is Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental disorder characterised by a pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and emotions. This can result in impulsive actions and unstable moods that typically start during adolescence or early adulthood. A person with borderline personality disorder may experience intense episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety. These symptoms can be exacerbated under stressful circumstances such as the loss of someone important to them or being rejected by peers or family members.

What are the signs of Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition that causes severe emotional instability. A person with BPD might experience intense mood swings, have low self-esteem and often have difficulty with relationships. They can also be impulsive and suicidal, display paranoid thoughts or become angry easily.

These symptoms often lead to difficulties in the workplace as well as at home, particularly when it comes to interpersonal relationships.

What triggers Borderline Personality Disorder?

The exact cause of BPD is unknown. It's likely that a combination of factors—such as genetics, stressful life events, and other mental health issues—contribute to the development of the disorder.

In addition to its cultural stigma and negative stereotypes, BPD has also been associated with isolation, shame, and feelings of worthlessness. These factors can lead sufferers to avoid treatment or self-medicate in ways that worsen their symptoms instead of improving them.

How to treat Borderline Personality Disorder?

  • Medication
  • Talk therapy
  • Psychotherapy (individual, group and family)
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy
  • Dialectical behavioural therapy
  • Mindfulness-based therapy (for example, mindfulness-based stress reduction)
  • Psychoeducation to help the person learn about their illness and how it affects them. This may include information about: -the biology of mood disorders; -the connection between thoughts/feelings/behaviours in individuals with BPD; -coping skills for managing symptoms of BPD (e.g., depression, anxiety); and -strategies for improving relationships with others

You're not alone. Many people struggle with borderline personality disorder and its symptoms, which can be hard to diagnose and treat. This article provides a list of questions about borderline personality disorder with answers from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organisation dedicated to improving the lives of all who suffer from mental illness by providing education, support and advocacy.

BPD is often referred to as an "emotional roller coaster." Individuals with this disorder experience intense mood swings that can cause major issues in their personal relationships, work life, or other areas where they interact with others. Symptoms include depression, anxiety disorders and suicidal behavior.

Conclusion

We hope this article has answered any questions you may have had about borderline personality disorder and that it has given you more insight into this mental health condition. If you or someone close to you is suffering from symptoms similar to those described above, we strongly encourage you to reach out for help. There are many resources available online and locally that can provide information on treatments as well as support groups where individuals with BPD can share their experiences in a safe environment.

If you, or someone you know, is in need of emergency care or urgent crisis intervention, please contact your local emergency numbers immediately