what is Borderline personality disorder??

Answer 1

A personality disorder, in general, means that you have an enduring pattern of impulse control and maladaptive (much different from everyone else) cognition, affective, interpersonal functioning. Meaning that you have a different way of perceiving yourself and the world, your emotions may be more intense or unpredictable, you may have difficulty with relationships, and impulse control problems. The pattern is inflexible and pervasive accords most situations and environments. The pattern causes clinically significant distress and impairment in daily living. The pattern is long and stable, starting with young adulthood (although personality disorders cannot be diagnosed until after 18). Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in particular means that your pattern includes unstable relationships, impulsivity, and problems with self-image and emotion. You may engage in several behaviors or experience different emotions, including:
* Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment
* Pattern of unstable and intense relationships
* Identity disturbance and unstable self-image
* Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (spending, sex, reckless driving, etc)
* Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior
* Emotional instability
* Chronic feelings of emptiness
* Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger
* Occasional stress-related paranoia or dissociative symptoms

Of the people with Borderline Personality Disorder that I have met and worked with, I have noticed a couple of other behaviors, not included above, such as attention-seeking, catastrophizing, self-sustaining depression, and drug/alcohol abuse.
Personality Disorders are rarely diagnosed alone, usually there is also depression, bipolar, anxiety, or psychotic disorders present. Medication doesn't really help with BPD, because it is due to how you perceive and behave. If medication is prescribed, it is for the disorders listed above.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is designed specifically for the treatment of BPD.
"Clients receiving DBT were significantly less likely to drop out of therapy, were significantly less likely to engage in parasuicide, reported significantly fewer parasuicial behaviors and, when engaging in parasuicidal behaviors, had less medically severe behaviors. Further, clients receiving DBT were less likely to be hospitalized, had fewer days in hospital, and had higher scores on global and social adjustment." (reference below)

Answer 2

get a second opinion. Personality disorders are not diagnosed until after the age of 18 because until then their personality is still forming and subject to change... a personality disorder is a pervasive pattern of perceiving and reacting to the world that is enduring and long term..... I think it is the new catch all though for some doctors. Was it a psychiatrist who diagnosed her? She could have "emerging" BPD, or she could have Oppositional defiance disorder, or Bipolar... But you are right, technically, according to the diagnostic criteria, she can not have Borderline. Definitely get a second opinion.... if she is Bipolar then the treatment is very different.

Answer 3

Wikipedia provides good information.

Borderline Personality Disorder, in a nut shell, seems to be a disorder that makes the subject feel horrible in any situation of rejection. You know that feeling you get when you're rejected by someone you like (emotionally, like a boyfriend or girlfriend)? Probably something like that except through any rejection. I myself seem to match a lot of the symptons of BPD, and am looking into whether I have it.

Edit: Mrs. Strain posted an even better "in a nutshell". Ignore mine, refer to hers (sounds just like me, no gray).

Answer 4

People with this disorder have trouble finding their own personality. They are kind of straddling a fence. They are prone to bouts of depression, have trouble with relationships. They also have low self esteem. They only see things in black and white there is no gray area. Very horrible thing to have, just ask me.

Answer 5

For info:

* National Institute for Mental Health, www.nimh.nih.gov

* National Association for the Mentally Ill, www.nami.org

Answer 6

In a nutshell, everything is black or white. There is no "gray". So for example, if you're in a relationship and he doesn't call when he said he would, you immediately think the whole thing is over and you feel depressed. Then when they do call it's all perfect again. Check online for more information.

Answer 7

I like Mrs. S. answer too. I evidently was raised by one, but for some reason couldn't accept her perception and therefore it's hard to accept anyone's labels or opinions. I keep wanting things to be simpler so I wait. Sorry, I should not have answered except I was misdiagnoised with this. We researched it and they were wrong, but I was mimicing the behavior I was taught, when pressed. Are you in pain?

Answer 8

Treatment Overview


Borderline personality disorder is difficult to treat. Relapse, which is a return of your symptoms, is a common problem, and many people with the disorder have difficult relationships with their counselors or other health professionals. However, it is possible to recover from the damaging behaviors associated with borderline personality disorder.

Many people find relief from destructive symptoms within the first year of proper treatment.3 About half of those treated for this condition find that they no longer have most of the behaviors after about 10 years of treatment.3

Consistent, long-term treatment of borderline personality disorder is important in improving your symptoms and the quality of your life.

Successful treatment for borderline personality disorder can be more difficult if you have:8

Been abused as a child.
Experienced symptoms early in life.
Had continuous symptoms over a long period of time.
Continued to be unable to control your emotions.
Experienced problems with aggression, substance abuse, or other mental health conditions, such as depression.

Treatment Overview


Borderline personality disorder is difficult to treat. Relapse, which is a return of your symptoms, is a common problem, and many people with the disorder have difficult relationships with their counselors or other health professionals. However, it is possible to recover from the damaging behaviors associated with borderline personality disorder.

Many people find relief from destructive symptoms within the first year of proper treatment.3 About half of those treated for this condition find that they no longer have most of the behaviors after about 10 years of treatment.3

Consistent, long-term treatment of borderline personality disorder is important in improving your symptoms and the quality of your life.

Successful treatment for borderline personality disorder can be more difficult if you have:8

Been abused as a child.
Experienced symptoms early in life.
Had continuous symptoms over a long period of time.
Continued to be unable to control your emotions.
Experienced problems with aggression, substance abuse, or other mental health conditions, such as depression.
Borderline Personality Disorder

Exams and Tests


If you think you may have symptoms of borderline personality disorder, your health professional will conduct a thorough evaluation of your symptoms. This may include written or verbal tests, a physical exam, and questions about your medical history, which can help rule out other health conditions that might be causing your symptoms. The evaluation may also include a mental health assessment, which involves an interview with a health professional.

Because borderline personality disorder shares symptoms with many other mental health conditions, your health professional may look for signs of another mental health condition in addition to borderline personality disorder.