BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER

A borderline personality disorder is categorized under cluster B of personality disorders in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, generally characterized by erratic and emotional thoughts and ways of behaving. This personality type is more prone to be dramatic, highly emotional, and volatile in their actions or thinking.

Borderline personality disorder, in particular, is a mental health condition that is characterized by erratic changes in thoughts and impulsive behaviors, unstable moods and emotions, and an inability to maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. People with BPD struggle with managing their emotions, especially anger, and have a severe fear of abandonment. Additionally, they frequently engage in risky and impulsive behaviors like rash driving and making threats of harm to themselves and others.  It is challenging for them to keep relationships due to all these behaviors.

A person experiencing BPD may act impulsively, engage in dangerous behaviors, change their moods fast, become angrier, look numb, or develop paranoia during an episode. They may find it difficult to enjoy life or find fulfillment in their relationships, careers, or academic pursuits. Most people who suffer from borderline personality disorder are unaware of their condition and may not be aware that there are other ways, which are better and healthier for them to conduct themselves and communicate with others.

Personality disorders are enduring mental health conditions that start during infancy or shortly thereafter and can be extremely distressing if left untreated. The right treatments can make a big difference. According to recent research, Borderline personality disorder is more common in the general population than other personality disorders. Interestingly, it is more prevalent in women, in comparison to men. 

Couples Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder.

Marriage counselling can be an effective form of therapy for individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) who struggle to maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. BPD is a mental health condition characterized by erratic changes in thoughts and impulsive behaviors, unstable moods and emotions, and an inability to maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. People with BPD struggle with managing their emotions, especially anger, and have a severe fear of abandonment.

Relationship counsellors, can play a vital role in helping individuals with BPD form and maintain healthy relationships. Therapy can help individuals with BPD learn to manage their emotions, develop more realistic self-images, and improve their communication skills. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be effective in treating BPD, as it helps individuals learn to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS 

Patients of Borderline Personality Disorder usually showcase the following symptoms – 

• Instability of emotion is a crucial aspect of BPD. People experience sudden mood changes and the sensation of being on an emotional train, going from feeling good to feeling depressed in just a couple of minutes. Mood fluctuations are frequently sudden and might continue for a few minutes to several days.
•  Additionally, typical are feelings of intense emptiness, fear, and anger.
• Persons with BPD experience discomfort when they are on their own. They experience extreme dread or rage when they believe they are being mistreated or abandoned. They could turn up where their loved ones are, stalk them, and stop them from leaving. They would also push individuals away before getting too close to avert rejection.
• BPD is linked to an ability for risky and impulsive behaviors, such as shopping binges, heavy drinking or drug use, irresponsible or unsafe sex, or excessive eating. 
• People with BPD frequently have a skewed or confusing view of themselves, feel guilty or humiliated, and perceive themselves as “the victim”. They frequently obstruct their advancement. They might consciously flunk an exam, ruin friendships, or lose their employment, for instance.
• They are also more likely to attempt suicide and participate in self-harming behaviors like cutting and burning. Being rejected, possibly being left behind, or being left behind by a carer or partner are the usual triggers for these self-destructive behaviors.
• Dissociative seasons, paranoid thoughts, and even hallucinations can result from excessive tension, which is often the fear of abandonment.

CAUSES 

Although the specific causes of borderline personality disorder are unknown, it is usually seen to occur as a result of a combination of biopsychosocial factors. These often begin in early childhood or adolescence. They can be understood as follows:

1. Biological – usually involves genetic predispositions. Borderline personality disorders run in the family as the risk of development of the disorder in children is higher if it is present in parents. Other factors like personality traits and agreeability are also biologically pre-disposed. 
2. Psychological–borderline personality disorder can be seen as a result of adverse childhood experiences. Thought and behavioral patterns which are conditioned during childhood by parents or primary caregivers, lay the foundation for future relationships. 

Over sixty percent of people with BPD have a history of being physically, emotionally, or sexually abused as children. BPD is also linked to parental substance use disorder, poor maternal attachment, inadequate family boundaries, and maternal separation.

3. Social, cultural, and environmental factors majorly shape our behavioral patterns. 

TREATMENT 

There is no particular treatment plan that works to assist patients with borderline personality disorder to overcome irrational fears. The combination of the following ways in the rightful manner, shall prove to be helpful. 

1. Medications – Medication solely cannot treat the disorder, but can help ease the symptoms of anxiety and stress. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety pills are known to be prescribed for the best results. 
2. Psychotherapy – according to studies, psychotherapy is known to be the most effective intervention for borderline personality disorder. Various techniques like 

• Cognitive behavioral therapy to help cater to irrational thought patterns and perform impulsive behavior modification.
• Existential and humanistic therapy to help disordered people realize their maximum potential and enhance self-concept. 
• Psychodynamic therapy to explore unconscious fears or negative childhood experiences and cater to them in the right manner to facilitate positive behaviors.

These can be provided in individual settings, one-on-one with the client and therapist, where there is a collaborative effort to replace the problematic behaviors with healthy ones, or in a group setting, where it is easier to identify and treat the patterns, as they are more evident.  Shared experiences and learnings help to deal with problems more efficiently and effectively. 

3. Management – self-management after the treatment is as important as the process of therapy. Identifying your negative patterns and triggers, seeking professional help, being more self-aware, joining support groups, maintaining a thought diary, working on being more independent, investing in personal interests and needs, stepping out of one’s comfort zone, and paying more attention to your mental and emotional wellbeing. 

One needs to understand that therapy and guidance never aim to change your personality into a different individual but help you to cater to your negative and maladaptive patterns of thinking and behaving. Being slightly impulsive or feeling low sometimes is normal and good until it’s adaptive. But as soon as it starts to impair your other areas of functioning and starts causing you anxiety and distress, it is your sign to seek therapy and professional help.