Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder

Impulsive. Erratic. Unpredictable. Untreatable.

These are the common perceptions of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). They, however, cannot be further from the truth.

Officially added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1980 as a personality disorder, the condition was largely understood to be a psychotic disorder. Now, about 40 years later, mental health counselors recognize the need to understand this oft-misunderstood condition.

The causes

 With an estimated 1.4 percent of the U.S. population living with Borderline Personality Disorder, mental health professionals need to understand its underlying causes. While the causes of the condition aren’t entirely clear, the risk factors can be narrowed down to biological, environmental, and social factors.

· Social & environmental factors: As with many mental health concerns, a history of trauma and negative experiences can make you vulnerable to Borderline Personality Disorder. Childhood abuse, abandonment, neglect, or trauma have been suggested as possible causes. However, everyone with BPD doesn’t share similar early experiences.  

· Genetic history: People with family members who have BPD tend to have a higher risk of developing the condition.

· Biological factors: Since BPD is closely related to impulse control and emotional regulation, it is connected to the brain’s functioning. The brain functions and structures of people living with BPD can differ, resulting in altered impulse control and emotional regulation capabilities.

What does BPD look like?

As with other personality disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder manifests in your behavior patterns and ability to function. The dysregulation of emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal control is uniquely experienced by each individual—this means that there’s a distinct treatment plan for each person.

Some common signs and symptoms of BPD are:

· Frequent mood swings

· Low sense of self-worth, resulting in uncertainty about their role in people’s lives

· Interests rapidly change

· Viewing things in extremes

· A pattern of unstable relationships with close friends and family members

· Extreme efforts to avoid abandonment—whether it’s rational or imagined.

· Recurring thoughts of self-harm and suicidal ideation

· Difficulty controlling anger or trusting people’s intentions

· Frequent feelings of dissociation

· Difficulty empathizing with others’ emotions

· Intense fear of separation or rejection

· Lack of impulse control with regard to risky behaviors

With almost 80 percent of those living with BPD reporting a history of suicide attempts, mental health professionals need to display a greater understanding of the condition. Only by recognizing its various signs and manifestations can you provide effective care to those who need it most.

Enhance your knowledge through CEUs for mental health professionals and distance learning programs for training for psychologists. By paying attention to the individual’s needs, you can begin to help them to the path of recovery.

You have the power to alter the course of someone’s life—register for E Care Behavioral Health Institute’s live and recorded webinars to polish your skills as a mental health professional. They offer extensive insight into general skill-building, training workshops, and certifications.

Browse their recorded webinars or find out which Webinar CEUs are scheduled by heading to their website. Learn about Borderline Personality Disorder, The Chameleon of Psychopathology by registering for the webinar.

If you, or a loved one, are struggling with BPD or any other mental health condition, it’s important to seek professional help. If you’re experiencing self-harming behaviors and suicidal thoughts, know that you are not alone.

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) at any time or day of the week.