How do I know if I have borderline personality disorder?

Also known as 'borderline disorder', it is characterized by emotional instability.

Borderline personality disorder is a common illness. It is a mental health disorder that impacts the way of thinking and feeling about oneself and others, which causes problems to insert oneself normally in everyday life.

Two percent 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 show many difficulties in regulating emotions and impulses.. These difficulties in regulating emotions cause changes in mood, self-image, much instability and problems in interpersonal relationships.

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

Causes

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

The causes are not yet fully understood, but are most likely a mixture of genetic, family, social, and stressful life situations.

Genetics

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

2. Environmental factors

Those who suffer traumatic life events, such as physical or sexual abuse in childhood or neglect, are more likely to develop the disorder. 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, meaning that there is a neural basis to the disorder.This means that there is a different neurological basis for some symptoms. Specifically, the parts of the brain that control emotions and decision making.

Symptoms

Symptoms of borderline personality disorder may include:

• Distorted and unstable self-image.
• Efforts to avoid abandonment by friends, partners, and family members
• Unstable interpersonal relationships
• Impulsive behaviors that can sometimes have dangerous results, such as excessive spending, unsafe sex, substance abuse, etc.
• Suicidal behavior or self-injury
• Major mood swings that can last from a few hours to a few days, which may include intense happiness, irritability, embarrassment, or anxiety
• Irritability or anxiety
• Periods of low or depressed moods
• Inappropriate, intense or uncontrollable anger
• Shame and guilt
• Ongoing feelings of emptiness
• Intense, inappropriate anger, such as losing one's temper frequently, being sarcastic or bitter, or getting into physical fights
• Rapid changes in identity and self-image that include changing goals and values, and seeing yourself as bad and as if you do not exist
• Intense, inappropriate anger, such as losing your temper frequently, being sarcastic or bitter or getting into physical fights

Risk factors

• Abandonment or fear of abandonment in childhood or adolescence
• Disjointed 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 conducted a thorough interview and discussion of the symptoms, he or she will determine whether it corresponds to this diagnosis, or another diagnosis.

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

Psychotherapy

The mainstay of treatment. In addition to dialectical behavioral therapy, which was created specifically for the treatment of borderline personality disorder, there are other types of psychotherapy that are effective (cognitive behavioral therapy and mentalization-based therapy).

2. Medication

There are no specific drugs for borderline personality disorder. But they do treat the symptoms of anger, depression and anxiety with other types 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 sufficient, hospitalization of the person would be important and advisable. A hospital can provide a safe environment for a person with BPD who is self-harming or suicidal.

If you have borderline personality disorder, don't give up.. Muchas personas que tienen este trastorno mejoran con el tiempo con tratamiento y aprenden a regular sus emociones llevando una vida más plena.

Referencias bibliográficas:

• 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).