Borderline Personality Disorder

Question 1

What is borderline personality disorder (BPD)?

Answer 1

It is a mood disorder (emotional regulation disorder). It causes disruptions/distortions in self-identity, self-image, executive functioning, impulse control and relationships.

It is an illness that affects ability to regulate emotions. BPD causes disruptions in self-identity, self-image, relationships and self-harming acts.

People who experience BPD feel emotions intensely and for extended periods of time, and it is harder for them to return to a stable baseline after an emotionally triggering event.

Question 2

What are symptoms of BPD?

Answer 2

Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment by friends and family.

Unstable personal relationships that alternate between idealization (“I’m so in love!”) and devaluation (“I hate her”).

Distorted and unstable self-image, which affects moods, values, opinions, goals and relationships.

Impulsive behaviors that can have dangerous outcomes, such as excessive spending, unsafe sex, substance abuse or reckless driving.

Self-harming behavior including suicidal threats or attempts.

Periods of intense depressed mood, irritability or anxiety lasting a few hours to a few days.

Chronic feelings of boredom or emptiness.

Inappropriate, intense or uncontrollable anger—often followed by shame and guilt.

Dissociative feelings—disconnecting from your thoughts or sense of identity or “out of body” type of feelings—and stress-related paranoid thoughts.

Question 3

What percentage of the population is affected by BPD?

Answer 3

1-2%

Question 4

Does BPD stand alone?

Answer 4

Rarely stands alone. High co-occurrence with other disorders.

Question 5

What kind of therapeutic approach is often successful for treating BPD, often in conjunction with medication?

Answer 5

DBT (dialectical behavior therapy), a type of cognitive therapy.

Teaches behavioral and coping skills, management of emotions.

Core mindfulness
Distress tolerance

Question 6

How does BPD develop?

Answer 6

There seems to be a blend of environmental and biological factors playing into the development of BPD.

Question 7

What disorders is BPD co-morbid with?

Answer 7

Dysthymia - 70%
Major Depressive disorder - 60%
Substance Abuse - 35%
Eating Disorders - 25%
Narcissistic Personality Disorder - 25%
Antisocial personality disorder - 25%
Bipolar disorder - 15%

Question 8

What kinds of medications are used to treat BPD?

Answer 8

Antipsychotics (like Haldol)