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Borderline Personality Disorder

Google Definition- Borderline personality disorder is a mental health disorder that impacts the way you think and feel about yourself and others, causing problems functioning in everyday life. It includes a pattern of unstable intense relationships, distorted self-image, extreme emotions and impulsiveness

Our Definition- Borderline personality disorder is a psychological disorder in which a person lacks self clarification, has difficulty sustaining relationships with others, and suffers from extreme mood swings.

Facts about Borderline Personality Disorder 	If diagnosed with BPD you may also suffer from depression, eating disorders and anxiety. 	Substance abuse is common with BPD 	38% of adults with BPD are prescribed three or more medications 	Roughly 1 out of 100 people are diagnosed with BPD 	Women are more likely to be diagnosed with BPD than men

Onset, diagnosis & causes Borderline personality disorder usually onsets in adolescence or early adulthood. 75% of BPD diagnosed people are women. Although the cause is uncertain, there are many leads to why one suffers from borderline personality disorder. Such factors include: genetics, traumatic childhood events and neurological problems. There is no clear evidence that shows BPD is passed though genes; however, some researchers feel as though it is possible. Traumatic childhood events that are suspected to cause BPD are: abuse (physical, sexual, neglect, emotional), and death of a loved one.

How does BPD impact behaviour? Borderline personality disorder can cause major instability issues. One who suffers from said disorder is likely to have unstable relationships, feel empty inside, lose control over their emotions and act out in uncontrollable manners such as self harm or attempt suicide. BPD effects more than just the diagnosed, BPD effects family and friends as they have to see you when acting irrationally.

Signs & Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder

Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder- Fear of abandonment, impulsivity, anger, self-harm, feelings of emptiness, chaotic relationships Signs you may have BPD- Instant change in emotion, experience extreme sadness/ anger, unable to understand yourself, you lash out often, and preform dangerous acts such as binge drink or reckless driving.

BPD can affect one’s development in these specific areas:

Physical- BPD effects one physically by the feeling of exhaustion and causing stress on the body, according to Hans general adaptation syndrome theory, if reached the third stage of stress (exhaustion stage) one will not be able to concentrate on other aspects of life, therefore your BPD will feel like a burden. BPD can also affect you physically because you may self harm.

Mental- Depression as well as other mental health issues are common when diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.

Cognitive- the way you perceive the world and people in general will likely be different than the average person with BPD. BPD can cause violent and irrational thoughts.

Social- BPD is associated with ruining relationships. It is much harder to stay rational with BPD therefore is extremely hard to act consciously the way others do. BPD can overrule the mental state in one’s mind resulting in the failure of long-term and/or short-term relationships.

Case Example In Ozzie Tinman’s One Way Ticket To Kansas, Tinman describes his life with his borderline wife. The book is written from his own point of view to the behaviour his wife displayed and how it started. “In June of 1997 we had our first child, a boy. Immediately upon bringing him home, my wife started to show signs of paranoia with a constant urge to protect our child.” (Tinman, O. 2005 p. 46). He goes on to say that that paranoia only increased while his wife was pregnant with their second child and after that, their relationship began to deteriorate even further. She begins to show signs of mood swings that began to last longer and longer. The book also talks about his fight to regain who he was before her borderline took over their lives.

It’s important to recognize when it’s safe to start a conversation. If your loved one is raging, verbally abusive, or making physical threats, now is not the time to talk. (Smith, M, Robinson, L, & Segal, J, 2018). Essentially, if they seem to be emotional in any way, it is most likely best that you do not engage them in conversation, otherwise they may react badly to your attempts and it could cause more anger.

For a police officer, the need to have a working knowledge of borderline personality disorder because in a situation where they must deal with a bpd sufferer, they must understand the correct way to communicate with the bpd and resolve any situation appropriately. It is also important for a Child and Youth Worker to have an up- to-date knowledge of borderline personality disorder because they may have a client, either child or youth, or perhaps the whole family, who have a loved one with the disorder and it is important that they be able to give accurate information on how to cope with the stress of their bpd family member effectively.

Treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder

Unfortunately, there is no cure for borderline personality disorder, however it can be managed. Usually, BPD is treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy, although during times of crisis, individuals with BPD may require brief periods of hospitalization to remain safe. (Salters- Pedneault, K. 2018). In order to begin this process, you must have a formal diagnosis by a healthcare professional. Personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder, are diagnosed based on a:

-	Detailed interview with your doctor or mental health provider -	Psychological evaluation that may include completing questionnaires -	Medical history and exam -	Discussion of your signs and symptoms (Mayo Clinic, 2018).

There are many different treatment facilities that your bpd loved one can be taken to in order to help them understand what they are feeling and to give them some coping mechanisms to better control their symptoms. Loved ones can also seek counselling and advice in order to better understand what is going on with a loved one who suffers from BPD, or to talk about their own emotional state during difficult times.

Authors: Katie. H, Jessica. M

References: Tinman, O. (2005). One Way Ticket To Kansas. Chapter 3, The Ozzie_Tinman Story. P. 46 San Bernardino, CA. Bebes & Gregory Publications

Smith, M, Robinson, L, & Segal J. (2018). Helping Someone with Borderline Personality Disorder. Communicating with someone who has BPD. Helpguide.org https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-disorders/helping-someone-with-borderline-personality-disorder.htm#communicating

Salters- Pedneault, K. (2018). Borderline Personality Disorder Treatments Psychotherapy, Medications, Hospitalization, and Self-Help VeryWell Mind

Mayo Clinic (2018). Borderline personality disorder https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20370242

University of California, Riverside. (n.d) https://wellness.ucr.edu/seven_dimensions.html

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). (n.d.) https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-disorders/borderline-personality-disorder.htm