How do I know if I have borderline personality disorder?

Borderline personality disorder is a common illness. It is a mental health disorder that impacts the way one thinks and feels about oneself and others, which causes problems to insert oneself normally in daily life.

2% of the Spanish population suffers from this type of disorder. Almost 75% of people diagnosed with this disorder are women, but recent research suggests that the percentage of men affected may equal that of women. These people manifest many difficulties in regulating emotions and impulses.. These difficulties in regulating emotions cause changes in mood, self-image, a lot of instability and problems in interpersonal relationships.

With borderline personality disorder, you have a deep fear of abandonment or instability, and you may have a conflict in tolerating being alone.

Causes

Borderline personality disorder commonly begins in adolescence.. The disorder appears to be worse in early adulthood and may improve with age.

The causes are not yet fully understood, but are most likely a mix of genetic, familial, social, and stressful life factors.

1. Genetics

No specific gene has been shown to cause the disorder. But this type of disorder has been shown to it is about five times more common among people who have a first-degree relative with BPD (Borderline personality disorder).

2. Environmental factors

Those people who suffer traumatic events in their lives, such as physical or sexual abuse or abuse in childhood or neglect, are more likely to develop the disorder.

3. brain function

The functional shape of the brain is different in people with borderline personality disorder, this means that there is a different neurological basis for some symptoms. Specifically, the parts of the brain They control emotions and decision making.

Symptoms

Symptoms of borderline personality disorder can include:

• Distorted and unstable self-image
• Efforts to avoid being abandoned by friends, partner and family
• unstable interpersonal relationships
• Impulsive behaviors that can sometimes have dangerous results, such as excessive spending, unsafe sex, substance abuse, etc.
• Suicidal behavior or self-harm
• Major mood swings that can last from a few hours to a few days, including intense happiness, irritability, embarrassment, or anxiety
• Irritability or anxiety
• Periods of low or depressed mood
• Inappropriate, intense, or uncontrollable anger
• shame and guilt
• Continuous feelings of emptiness
• Intense, inappropriate anger, such as frequently losing your temper, being sarcastic or bitter, or having physical fights
• Rapid changes in self-image and identity, including changing goals and values, and seeing yourself as bad and non-existent
• Intense, inappropriate anger, such as frequently losing your temper, being sarcastic or bitter, or having physical fights

Risk factor's

• Abandonment or fear of abandonment in childhood or adolescence
• dissociated family life
• Poor communication in the family
• Sexual, physical or emotional abuse

How do I know if I have borderline personality disorder?

There is no medical test to diagnose BPD, it is not based on a single symptom. It is important to be diagnosed by an experienced mental health professional. Once the professional has carried out a thorough interview and a discussion about the symptoms, she will determine if she corresponds to this diagnosis, or another.

The psychologist may also ask questions about the symptoms and medical history of both the patient and the family, including any history of mental illness. This information can help the mental health professional decide the best treatment.

In addition, a complete and thorough medical examination can also help rule out other possible causes of the symptoms.

Treatment

A typical and comprehensive treatment plan would include; psychotherapy medication and family support.

1. Psychotherapy

It is the fundamental pillar for the treatment. In addition to dialectical behavior therapy, which was created specifically for the treatment of borderline personality, there are other types of psychotherapy that are effective (cognitive behavioral therapy and mentalization).

2. Medication

There are no specific drugs for borderline personality disorder. But if they treat the symptoms of anger, depression and anxiety with another type of medication. This medication may include mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anxiolytics..

3. Hospitalization

As a last option if psychological therapy and medication are not enough, hospitalization of the person would be important and recommended. A hospital can provide a safe environment for a person with BPD who is self-harming or has suicidal thoughts.

If You Have Borderline Personality Disorder, Don't Give Up. Many people with this disorder improve over time with treatment and learn to regulate their emotions by leading fuller lives.

Bibliographic references:

• Gregory, R. (2006). “Clinical Challenges in Co-occurring Borderline Personality and Substance Use Disorders”. Psychiatric Times XXIII (13).

• McGlashan, T.H. (1983). “The borderline syndrome: Is it a variant of schizophrenia or affective disorder?” Arch Gen Psychiatry.

• Nordahl, H.M., T.E. Nysaeter (September 2005). “Schema therapy for patients with borderline personality disorder: a single case series”. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 36 (3).