Borderline Personality Disorder

Samantha Pettley
Psychology 1010
What Is It?

Mental illness
marked by
unstable moods,
behaviors, and
relationships.
Characteristics

Frequent mood changes

Unstable self image

Unpredictable or dangerous impulses

Anger driven

Self mutilation

Threats of suicide

Attention seeking and manipulative

Sees people as either all bad or all

good. good
Possible Causes

Genetics

Personality traits, such as the
impulsiveness and aggression, may be
inherited.

Environmental Factors, such as unstable family

relationships.
Diagnosis

Tests and questioning done by a psychiatrist,

psychologist, clinical social worker, or psychiatric
nurse No single test can truly produce a
diagnosis.

Includes questions about symptoms and family

medical history.

'Co-occurring' illnesses that make it harder to

distinguish and diagnose certain mental
illnesses.

1.6% of U.S. Adults are found to have BPD each

year.

Studies suggest that BPD may start occurring

during childhood.
Diagnosis - Women

Women are more likely to have co-

occurring illnesses such as depression,
anxiety, eating disorders.
Diagnosis - Men

Borderline Personality Disorder is more

likely to relate to substance abuse and
antisocial personality disorder.
Self-Harm and Suicide

Self-Harm

Not always connected to death

Includes cutting, burning, and hitting.

Express pain, punish themselves, or
get their emotions under control.

They don't always see the harm in it.

Up to 80% of people with BPD have

suicidal behaviors.

4 9% do commit suicide.
Non-mental illnesses related to
BPD

Diabetes

High blood pressure

Back pain

Arthritis

Fibromyalgia

Conditions relating to obesity side

effect to medications that treat
borderline personality disorder.
Treatment - Psychotherapy

First form of treatment.

PatientTherapist bond can be difficult to

achieve.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Changing core beliefs and behaviors

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Teaches attentiveness to situations; learn
to control emotions and behaviors.

Schema-focused Therapy

Helps re-frame a dysfunctional self-
image.

Treatment - Medications

No FDA approved medications to treat

the illness itself.

Medications to help reduce symptoms

Depression

Anxiety

Aggression
Helping One's Self

Talk to a doctor about possible

treatment.

Keep your schedules stable.

Exercise and do other stress reducers.

Be realistic in your goals.

Try developing a close relationship with

at least one friend or family member.

Talk about the events that may have

triggered symptoms.
Sources

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healt
h/topics

http://www.mentalhealth.com/
dis

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