Borderline personality disorder (patient information)

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Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [mailto:mgibson@perfuse.org] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.

Overview
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a condition in which people have long-term patterns of unstable or turbulent emotions, such as feelings about themselves and others.

These inner experiences often cause them to take impulsive actions and have chaotic relationships.

What are the symptoms of Borderline personality disorder?

 * People with BPD are often uncertain about their identity. As a result, their interests and values may change rapidly.


 * People with BPD also tend to see things in terms of extremes, such as either all good or all bad. Their views of other people may change quickly. A person who is looked up to one day may be looked down on the next day. These suddenly shifting feelings often lead to intense and unstable relationships.


 * Other symptoms of BPD include:
 * Fear of being abandoned
 * Feelings of emptiness and boredom
 * Frequent displays of inappropriate anger
 * Impulsiveness with money, substance abuse, sexual relationships, binge eating, or shoplifting
 * Intolerance of being alone
 * Repeated crises and acts of self-injury, such as wrist cutting or overdosing

What causes Borderline personality disorder?

 * The causes of borderline personality disorder (BPD) are unknown. Genetic, family, and social factors are thought to play roles.


 * This personality disorder tends to occur more often in women and among hospitalized psychiatric patients.

Who is at highest risk?
Risk factors for BPD include:
 * Abandonment in childhood or adolescence
 * Disrupted family life
 * Poor communication in the family
 * Sexual abuse

When to seek urgent medical care?

 * Call your health care provider if you or your child has symptoms of borderline personality disorder.
 * It is especially important to seek help right away if you or your child is having thoughts of suicide.

Diagnosis
Like other personality disorders, BPD is diagnosed based on a psychological evaluation and the history and severity of the symptoms.

Treatment options

 * Many types of individual talk therapy, such as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), can successfully treat BPD.
 * In addition, group therapy can help change self-destructive behaviors.


 * In some cases, medications can help level mood swings and treat depression or other disorders that may occur with this condition.

Where to find medical care for Borderline personality disorder?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Borderline personality disorder

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
The outlook depends on how severe the condition is and whether the person is willing to accept help. With long-term talk therapy, the person will often gradually improve.

Possible complications

 * Depression
 * Drug abuse
 * Problems with work, family, and social relationships
 * Suicide attempts and actual suicide

Source
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000935.htm