Borderline Personality Disorder
Overview
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness characterized by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behavior. This instability often disrupts family and work life, long-term planning, and the individual's sense of self-identity. Originally thought to be at the "borderline" of psychosis, people with BPD suffer from a disorder of emotion regulation.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The symptoms of BPD can be grouped into four main areas: emotional instability, disturbed patterns of thinking or perception, impulsive behavior, and intense but unstable relationships with others. The diagnosis of BPD is based on a clinical assessment by a mental health professional. The DSM-5, a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association, provides the criteria for diagnosing BPD.
Causes
The causes of BPD are not fully understood, but scientists believe that genetic, brain, environmental and social factors are involved. Research has shown that many, but not all, individuals with BPD report a history of abuse, neglect, or separation as young children. Brain scans of people with BPD have shown abnormalities in areas of the brain that control emotions and impulses.
Treatment
BPD is often viewed as difficult to treat. However, recent research has shown that BPD can be treated effectively in many cases. Treatment for BPD may involve individual or group psychotherapy, and may include the use of medications. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy, is considered the gold standard treatment for BPD.
Prognosis
With appropriate treatment and support, most people with BPD can lead fulfilling lives. Studies have shown that some people with BPD experience a significant reduction in symptoms over time, and some eventually no longer meet the criteria for the disorder.
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