Borderline Personality Disorder

Causes:
Biological View:
  • Some people believe that the disorder is genetic and can be inherited. Child abuse or neglect from caregivers could cause this disorder.
Socio-Cultural View:
  • This disorder can be caused by harmful childhood experiences.
Cognitive View:
  • Brain dysfunction is thought to cause this disorder. Chemicals in the brain that regulate mood don't function properly in a person with BPD.
Symptoms:
  • Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment.
  • Pattern of unstable and intense relationships, alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation.
  • Persistently unstable self image or sense of self.
  • Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self damaging such as sex or smoking.
  • Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, threats or self mutilating behavior.
  • Affective instability due to marked reactivity of mood.
  • Chronic feelings of emptiness.
  • Inappropriate intense anger or difficulty controlling anger.
  • Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms.
Treatment:
Biological View:
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy helps regulate your emotions to improve relationships with family members.
Socio-Cultural View:
  • The person can take medication to help with their impulsivity.
Cognitive View:
  • Transference- Focused psychotherapy focus on the relationship between you and your therapist. It tries to help you understand your emotions and the difficulties arising in relationships.