Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness as marked by an ongoing pattern of varying moods, self-image, interpersonal relationships and behavior. People with borderline personality disorder may experience intense episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety that can last from a few hours to days.
The term "borderline" was first introduced in the United States in 1938. It was a term used by early psychiatrists to describe people who were thought to have a tendency to regress into "borderline schizophrenia" in certain situations. In 1980, BPD became an official personality disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
In addition to environmental factors such as a history of child abuse or neglect, borderline personality disorder may be linked to Genetics. Some studies suggest that personality disorders may be inherited or strongly associated with other mental health disorders among family members. In borderline personality disorder gender differences are significant. BPD in women is more common than borderline personality disorder in men.
Borderline Personality Disorder patients have intense needs for closeness and attention but at the same time they also possess equally intense fears of rejection or abandonment. People with borderline personality disorder frequently project their behaviors and feelings on to others since they cannot bear to hear anything negative about themselves. They have no tolerance for criticism or emotional distress of any kind, thus making it extremely difficult to approach them about their problem behaviors.
People with borderline personality disorder tend to have major difficulties with relationships, especially with those closest to them.They also tend to view things in extremes, such as all good or all bad. Their opinions of other people can also change quickly. An individual who is seen as a friend one day may be considered an enemy or traitor the next. These shifting feelings can lead to intense and unstablepattern of fervid and unreliable relationships with family, friends, and loved ones, often swinging from extreme closeness and love to extreme dislike or anger. People with BPD often have risk-taking behaviors, such as overspending, drug use, reckless driving, or self-harm due to a lack of inhibition. These behaviors can be dangerous, and potentially life-threatening,
Borderline personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex and challenging mental health condition for the person and the family members who support them. It’s normal for couples to fight. But when one person in a relationship has BPD, a simple argument can trigger to an emotional downward spiral, which leads them to feel like they are walking on eggshells and can’t discuss any issue without experiencing major conflict. They may even be worried that their partner will harm themselves. Interactions between either parent with BPD and their infants are at risk. The mother with BPD may be limited in her ability to negotiate a secure attachment with her baby. The child whose mother is diagnosed with borderline personality disorder is at risk for developing this disorder. Adults with borderline personality disorder are considerably more likely to have been victims of violence, and other crimes.
BPD couple repeatedly uses hostile strategies with each other. People living in family are at greater risk for anxiety and depression, some children can become distraught, worried and anxious, and others may react outwardly with anger, becoming aggressive and develop behavior problems at home, school or workplace. Mood swings. Difficulty with interpersonal relationships and irrational behaviors of BPD person can leave loved ones feeling helpless, abused, and off balance.
Like other mental disorders, BPD is challenging to track as the condition is misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed or the individual never seeks treatment for their symptoms .Borderline personality disorder is a long-term condition which requires treatment that focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life rather than “curing” the disorder.
The people with BPD do not consider them ill. They often don’t realize they are causing the problem, neither easily be willing to seek the treatment. It is probably not surprising that many people with mental health issues don`t really seek treatment for their concerns. One of the most common reasons for not seeking help is fear and shame. People recognize the negative stigma and discrimination associated with having mental illness& don`t want to be labelled mentally ill.
Learning as much as possible about borderline personality disorder can increase empathy in a family for the person with BPD. Education can help to understand that its an illness, not a choice. A severe episode of BPD is not the time to tackle potentially sensitive topics. Partners should provide the person with BPD understanding, emotional support and encourage for the treatment.
With the right treatment and support, many people with BPD can get better and their relationships can become more stable and rewarding. That’s why it is important for partners and loved ones to be involved with a patient’s treatment, so they can learn how to react in certain situations. They can also encourage skills learned in treatment that can help patients regulate their emotions and respond appropriately.