Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder affects about 2% of the adult population and is defined as a mental illness that involves an instability in moods, relationships, self-image, and behavior. These instabilities often have a dramatic affect on the lives of those suffering from BPD. Symptoms of this disorder include a sometimes crippling fear of abandonment, relationships that are usually unstable and intense, disturbance in sense of self, impulsiveness in areas such as sex, substance abuse, binge eating, reckless driving, and spending, suicidal thoughts or gestures, and mood swings that can go from intense anger to depression within hours or in one day. It is important to first rule out other medical conditions, medications, and long-term substance abuse problems before a Borderline Personality Disorder diagnosis can be made. Although the direct cause of Borderline Personality Disorder is not known, it is thought that a disproportion of neurotransmitters in the brain may be a contributor. There is evidence to show that BPD is passed down genetically and occurs more prevalently in young women.
People who develop BPD have often gone through a traumatic childhood experience. BPD develops when these experiences occur within people who have a natural inability to deal well with stress and anxiety. Treatment involves group and individual psychotherapy such as dialectical behavior therapy or DBT. Antidepressant drugs and antipsychotic drugs are often helpful when sufferers fall into depression moods or experience difficulty with cognition. If left untreated, major consequences can include a totally disrupted life and even, death by suicide.
Inspirational Quotes
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