The Truth About Borderline Personality Disorder

The Truth About Borderline Personality Disorder BPD Diagnosis Print The Truth About Borderline Personality Disorder By Leonard Holmes Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on May 05, 2017 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on September 30, 2019 Leon Harris/Getty Images More in BPD Diagnosis Treatment Living With BPD Related Conditions Most of us have heard of borderline  personality disorder  (BPD) and much of what we hear seems to be negative. Patients with this disorder have gotten a bad reputation, thanks - in part - to the movie Fatal Attraction. BPD tends to be poorly misunderstood as it is, so to say that the main female character in Fatal Attraction represents a typical BPD sufferer is unfair and unrealistic.   Criteria for the Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder   A diagnosis of borderline personality disorder is made by a mental health professional using the  Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V) criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association. In order to be diagnosed with BPD, you must meet five or more of these nine symptoms: Frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, whether real or imagined and experiencing extreme emotions when any abandonment is perceived.  Having had unstable and intense interpersonal relationships that involved both extremes of idealizing the relationship (Hes perfect for me!) and not valuing the relationship (I cant stand him!).Not having a stable self-image or identity.Engaging in impulsive and risk-taking behavior such as spending money, having unsafe sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating, and the like.Repeated suicidal behavior or threats or self-mutilation.Having extreme and intense moods, such as irritability, anxiety, or depression that last from a few hours to a few days.Continual feelings of being empty.Having anger issues, including intense anger that is inappropriate for the situation, inability to control temper, being angry all the time and/or engaging in physical fights.Feeling disconnected from your mind or body and having paranoid thoughts when youre under stress, leading to potential psychotic episodes. Who Develops Borderline Personality Disorder? Recent research has shown that many people diagnosed with BPD are trauma survivors. Genetics may also play an important role in developing BPD. Studies show that if you have a parent, sibling,  or child with BPD, your chances of developing it yourself are five times greater. There also appears to be neurological impairment in people with BPD, meaning that certain areas of the brain do not communicate well with other areas. Borderline personality disorder usually starts in adolescence or young adulthood. An estimated 1.6 percent of adults deal with BPD  though that number could be significantly higher. Females are typically the population that is diagnosed, but studies have shown that males have tended to be misdiagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression instead of BPD. Treatment There are several psychotherapy approaches that have been proven to be helpful in borderline personality disorder. One of these, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), is an approach that combines techniques from several approaches  and takes advantage of a combination of group and individual therapy. Though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the use of any medications to treat BPD, some physicians prescribe them to BPD patients to help reduce certain symptoms like depression or anxiety.   Find Help From the 9 Best Online Therapy Programs Living With Borderline Personality Disorder Being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder means you have taken your first step to getting your symptoms under control. Your physician will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that maximizes your quality of life while reducing your symptoms as much as possible. This can take time and multiple adjustments, so be patient and keep communication open with your doctor about how you are doing. Surround yourself with supportive people and learn everything you can about BPD so you can take steps to increase your mental well-being.