Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): Causes, Symptoms, and Management

What is it?

Personality disorder defines a group of psychiatric disorders. Patients with personality disorders have dysfunctional emotional or behavioral coping mechanisms with the environment, resulting in distress repeatedly throughout their lives. Although there is no single cause for personality disorders, both genetic and environmental (mainly psychological) factors are involved.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is marked by a pattern of emotional instability, impulsive behavior, distorted self-image, and unstable relationships. Those affected often engage in self-harm and other dangerous behavior. They may also struggle with a feeling of emptiness, fear of abandonment, and detachment from reality.

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Additional names

This group contains additional names:
- Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD)

Signs & symptoms

BPD is characterized by the following signs and symptoms:
* unstable self-image or self-identity.
* Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment, and extreme reactions to such
* a pattern of unstable relationships and alternating between idealizing and devaluing others in relationships.
* Splitting ("black-and-white" thinking)
* Impulsive or reckless behaviors (e.g. impulsive or uncontrollable spending, unsafe sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating)
* a history of suicidal or Self-damaging behavior
* Intense or uncontrollable emotional reactions that are disproportionate to the event or situation
* mood swings
* feelings of emptiness
* Dissociation
* BPD is Frequently accompanied by depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made via a psychiatric assessment, conducted by a psychiatrist – a medical doctor specializing in psychiatry. This assessment includes questioning, physical exams, cognitive exams, and other tests that might exclude other diseases or conditions.

Treatment

Treatment may include:
* Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
* medications such as anti-depressants or anti-psychotic drugs – these do not cure PBD but may relieve symptoms.
* If severe symptoms or suicidal behavior are present, a temporary hospitalization may be recommended.

☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.

Learn more about our editorial process for content accuracy.

Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:

National Institution of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ University of Illinois hospital