Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): Symptoms, Causes And Treatment | Mental Health slideshows | Emotional & Mental Health center

What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline personality disorder can be a devastating disorder that can cause many different emotional problems. Borderline personality disorder can make people have impulsive behaviors and violent mood swings that can cause severe problems in many areas of life. Many people that have borderline personality disorder don't value themselves very highly. Most people who have borderline personality disorder have signs of the disorder during their childhood. There are some, however, who do not show signs until adulthood. In either case, treatments for the disorder can be difficult, making the road to recovery take years.

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www.medicinenet.com/borderline_personality_disorder/page2.htm
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/tc/borderline-personality-disorder-topic-overview
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/borderline-personality-disorder/index.shtml

What Causes BPD?

The actual cause of borderline personality disorder is still unclear. Doctors have found that people who have borderline personality disorder have chemical imbalances in their brains. There is also some evidence that suggests that borderline personality disorder is also passed down genetically. Borderline personality disorder could also be environmentally triggered as well. Many people who have this disorder have often suffered some kind of trauma that has caused them to develop borderline personality disorder. The trauma that can cause this disorder to emerge is typically experienced during childhood. This could be the death of a parent or some form of abuse.

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Signs And Symptoms Of BPD

Borderline personality disorder has a multitude of signs that are common to everyone. The difference is that these symptoms occur more than what the doctor deems normal. The symptoms disrupt daily life to the point that it becomes difficult to get through normal day-to-day activities without some sort of hindrance. Most people who suffer from borderline personality disorder have impulsive behaviors that are very harmful to them. This can include binge eating, substance abuse, out-of-control spending, and reckless driving. Low self-worth, relationship problems, intense emotions, and rollercoaster mood swings can all point to borderline personality disorder as well.

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Self-injuries & Suicide Attempts Are Common

Just like with any mental disability, those with borderline personality disorder can be at risk for suicide attempts. This is largely due to the fact that people with mental disorders have low self-worth. This makes them feel as if the world and everyone that they love will be better off without them in it. Since people with mental disorders typically have intense mood swings, the smallest of things can cause them to believe this. Substance abuse is another common form of self-injury that is common with many mental disorders including borderline personality disorder. Substance abuse causes people to forget the stresses of daily life and find false enjoyment.

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When Does BPD Start?

Many people who have borderline personality disorder will start experiencing symptoms during the early part of their childhood. If the disorder is caused by some sort of trauma from that period or after early childhood, the person with borderline personality disorder will start experiencing symptoms right after the trauma took place. There are some people that have borderline personality disorder that slip through the cracks and are not diagnosed until early adulthood. This is typically due to the fact that they are going through adolescence and their behavior seems normal for that age. There could also be abuse or neglect that is happening during that time which also contributes to the lack of proper diagnosis.

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Who Is At Risk?

There are many risk factors for borderline personality disorder. Our personalities are shaped by many different factors over the course of our lives, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of factor that is responsible for triggering the disorder. Since we know that many of the mental disorders that millions suffer from are caused by genetics and borderline personality disorder is not any different. If you have a family member who has borderline personality disorder, your odds of having it increase. It is also believed that those who suffer some kind of trauma at a young age will be at a higher risk than children who have not.

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Other Disorders Can Co-exist With BPD

Borderline personality disorder can co-exist with many other disorders. Common mental disorders that are seen with borderline personality disorder can vary by gender as well. Women will be more susceptible to depression, eating, and anxiety disorders. Mental illnesses are not the only kind of disorders that will be seen alongside borderline personality disorder. There are also many physical illnesses that can wreak havoc on the body of people who have borderline personality disorder. Chronic pain disorders and fibromyalgia are seen quite frequently in people who have borderline personality disorder. Another common physical disorder is obesity due to the fact that it is a common side effect in many of the medications that are used to treat the disorder.

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How Is BPD Treated?

Since borderline personality disorder is very difficult to treat, there are many different combinations that can be tried. One of the reasons that borderline personality disorder is so difficult to treat is because of the fact that people with this disorder are not likely to have a healthy relationship with their doctors and therapists. There are many people who use a combination of a healthy lifestyle, medicine, and therapy to help combat the symptoms. The therapy is to help the patient to cope with the outside world. The therapist may help discover latent self-harming behaviors and help find healthier habits to replace them with.

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How Can I Help Myself If I Have BPD?

It is important for anyone who has a mental illness to understand that he is important and he matters. Make sure to participate in activities that you enjoy. Set goals and work towards them. Make sure to balance your nutrition. If you are unsure how you need to tailor your diet to assist you in achieving the nutrition that your body needs, ask a nutritionist. If you do not have one already, find an exercise plan that works for you. Make sure to find the exercises that you enjoy and do them frequently. Find alternatives to the self-harming behaviors that bring you joy and peace.

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How Can I Help A Friend Or Relative Who Has BPD?

If someone you know has borderline personality disorder, the best thing for you to do is “be supportive”. Most people who suffer from borderline personality disorder have self-worth issues, so make sure that you help them see how important that they are to you. Let them see that your day is that much better because they are in it. Watch for any self-destructive behaviors and try to get them to engage in positive activities that will help them see that they do contribute to the world in a good way. It is also a good idea to make sure that they are surrounded by a supportive family.