What causes BPD & how is it diagnosed?

Question

Are there any effective treatments?
Can BPD be cured?
Does the BPD person understand the illness.
Is the family safe?
Is it a common mental condition?
Thanks

Just discovered I could edit my question lol. Yes I did mean Borderline Personality Disorder - something I had not heard about until recently and there is someone I know who has some difficulties but refuses all attempts to help. I had the idea that Bi-polar is chemical and genetic but that Borderline is created as a reaction to events. I think Bi-polar can be medicated but borderline cannot?

Thanks everyone still haven't found exactly what I'm looking for, will keep researching on the net. Thanks for answering

Answer 1

Lots of factual stuff about Bipolar Disorder on the net, particularly medical sites. Just type Bipolar Disorder into Google.
Cause thought to be genetic for many sufferers but often environmental factors as well - extreme stress, sleep disruption, drug/alcohol use. A GP or Psychiatrist will be looking for typical symptoms through discussion and/or questionnaire. Treatment will usually be via ongoing medication and psychotherapy. Not sure about "cure" but condition can certainly be managed so that a sufferer can lead a full and productive life. I think that the individual with BPD will come to understand their condition and the importance of ongoing medication. Symptoms untreated, can certainly damage relationships eg at school, in the workplace or family settings eg sudden mood swings, extreme irritability or rage, risky behaviour - driving, operating machinery, out of character sexual behaviour etc. Families need and can find support thru established community groups
Not sure how common BPD is, but in Australia in recent years some claim that there has been an increase in depression generally (including BPD) others feel that we are more aware and that the condition is more readily diagnosed and successfully treated. Sadly, some BPD still leads to suicide so that every effort should be made to seek qualified help for the person suffering this awful affliction.

Answer 2

Are you speaking of Bi-polar or Borderline Personality?

If Borderline, then the most common cause is usually sexual abuse or an abuse which violated a person's sense of self and identity. It seems to be more prevalent in women. Some are capable of recognizing that they have it. It's pretty common. I personally know four people that have it. One of them is a man and three are women. All of which were abused. I've seen two of them straiten out their behavior to a degree but they can't change their emotional outbursts. What they do is realize the problem is with them and for the sake of harmony they will seclude themselves and try to process what happened and come back out when their feelings subside

Answer 3

http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic270.htm