What is BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder)?
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health problem that affects the way a person thinks about themselves and others.
As a result, these thoughts can affect the sufferer’s daily life.
In addition, people with BPD also face self-image problems, difficulty managing emotions and behavior, and unstable relationship patterns.
These thoughts also trigger feelings of fear of rejection, anxiety, anger, worthlessness, fear of abandonment, or rage.
In fact, those with this condition also have a tendency to hurt themselves and others.
Borderline personality disorder usually begins in early adulthood and generally improves with age.
Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms
Typically, symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) usually appear in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Disturbing events or stressful experiences can trigger symptoms or make them worse.
Over time, symptoms usually lessen and may disappear altogether.
Some people may only have a few symptoms, but others may experience more symptoms.
The symptoms are often considered bipolar because they are very similar.
The following symptoms indicate borderline personality disorder:
1. Intense mood swings
Individuals with BPD may experience sudden mood swings toward themselves and others.
The emotions that emerge can be very irrational, such as uncontrolled anger, fear, anxiety, hatred, and sadness.
Sufferers may also become angry or lash out at others and tend to have difficulty calming themselves down.
2. Fear of being abandoned
This feeling is very common in people with BPD. They are uncomfortable with being alone and fear rejection and abandonment by others.
In extreme cases, sufferers may go to extreme lengths to track down their loved ones or prevent them from leaving.
3. Difficulty maintaining relationships
Most people with BPD have difficulty maintaining relationships. Friendships, marriages, and relationships with family members are often chaotic and unstable.
4. Impulsive and dangerous behavior
People with BPD are also often impulsive and engage in dangerous behaviors, such as reckless driving, fighting, gambling, substance abuse, and unsafe sexual activity. These behaviors can be difficult or uncontrollable.
5. Self-harm
A person with borderline personality disorder may cut, burn, or injure themselves to the point of having suicidal thoughts.
6. Depression
Many people with BPD frequently feel sad, bored, unfulfilled, or “empty.” Feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing are also common.
7. Paranoia
People with BPD often worry about what other people think.
They fear that other people will not like them or will not want to spend time with them.
Causes of Borderline Personality Disorder
Until now, it is not clear and certain what causes borderline personality disorder (BPD).
However, experts suspect this condition occurs due to the following reasons:
1. Abuse and trauma
A person who has experienced sexual, emotional or physical abuse has a higher risk of BPD.
Neglect, abuse or separation from parents also increases the risk of borderline personality disorder.
2. Genetics
Borderline personality disorder runs in families. A person with a family history of BPD is at risk of developing the condition.
3. Brain changes
In people with BPD, the parts of the brain that control emotions and behavior are not properly synchronized. This problem affects how the brain works.
In addition, decreased function of brain chemicals, such as serotonin, is also linked to BPD.
Risk Factors
There are several factors that can increase the risk of borderline personality disorder. These factors include:
- Inheritance of traits. A person may be at greater risk of developing borderline personality disorder if they have a mother, father, brother or sister who has the disorder.
- Childhood trauma. Individuals who experienced abuse, physical violence or other trauma as children are at greater risk of developing BPD later in life.
Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder
In order to get a more accurate diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, the doctor will carry out a series of examinations, including:
- Detailed interview.
- Psychological evaluation, such as filling out a questionnaire.
- Medical history and examination.
- Discuss signs and symptoms.
However, doctors usually only diagnose borderline personality disorder in adults, not in children or adolescents.
This is because the signs and symptoms of BPD can disappear as children grow older and become more mature.
Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment
Treatment for borderline personality disorder is generally psychotherapy, but doctors often combine it with medication.
In addition, doctors can also recommend hospitalization if the safety of the BPD sufferer is threatened, for example because of a suicide attempt.
Treatment can help sufferers manage and overcome the challenges they frequently experience.
Some types of therapy are:
1. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
This therapy uses a skills-based approach to teach people with BPD to regulate emotions, tolerate mental distress, and improve social relationships.
DBT therapy can be done by sufferers individually or in a consultation group with a therapist.
2. Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT)
This therapy emphasizes the method of thinking before reacting.
MBT helps sufferers recognize their own feelings and thoughts by creating alternative perspectives on the situations they are experiencing.
3. Schema-Focused Therapy
This therapy helps sufferers recognize unmet needs in early life that can trigger negative behavioral patterns.
Therapy will focus on efforts to fulfill needs in healthier ways to build positive behavioral patterns.
No different from DBT, this therapy can take place individually or in a consultation group.
4. Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP) or Psychodynamic Therapy
This therapy helps sufferers understand the emotions and difficulties they experience in developing interpersonal relationships.
TFP looks at the relationship that is built between the sufferer and the therapist in understanding this problem.
Next, sufferers will apply the knowledge they gain to the situation they are currently experiencing.
5. General Psychiatric Management
This therapy uses case management with a focus on making sense of events that trigger emotional distress.
The approach takes into account feelings as an interpersonal context and can be combined by the doctor with medication, group therapy, family counseling, or even individual therapy.
6. Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem-Solving (STEPPS)
This therapy is group therapy with family members, friends, partners, or caregivers as part of a therapy group that lasts for 20 weeks.
This therapy is also often used as additional therapy with other psychotherapies.
Borderline Personality Disorder Complications
Borderline personality disorder can ruin the life of the sufferer.
This condition can also have a negative impact on relationships, work, school, social activities, and self-image.
If not treated immediately, BPD can trigger the following conditions:
- Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages or drug abuse.
- Anxiety disorders.
- Eating pattern problems.
- Bipolar disorder.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or hyperactivity disorder.
- Personality disorders.
- Losing good relationships with partners, friends and family
- Loss of job or frequent job changes.
- Lost opportunity to complete education.
- Involved with the law, even going to prison.
- Experiencing physical injury due to self-harm tendencies.
- Unplanned pregnancy, having a sexually transmitted disease, or an accident resulting from impulsive and risky behavior.
- Committing suicide attempt.
Borderline Personality Disorder Prevention
So far, there is no surefire way to prevent borderline personality disorder. This is because this mental health problem often runs in families.
However, always being optimistic about life and not being afraid of failure is a way to avoid getting caught up in personality problems.
If you are experiencing problems, there is nothing wrong with expressing them to your family or closest friends.
Not bottling up what you’re feeling can reduce feelings of stress and depression.
Some other ways to prevent it, namely:
1. Education and understanding
Gain an understanding of the condition. Knowing the signs and symptoms of BPD can be the first step in prevention.
Education about this disorder can help identify risks or symptoms in yourself or others.
2. Early counseling
If you feel you have symptoms related to BPD or have a family history of this disorder, seek counseling or psychological support immediately.
Early therapy can help address emotional problems before they develop into more serious disorders.
3. Emotional management skills
Learn healthy emotion management skills, such as emotion regulation and problem solving to reduce the risk of BPD.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) are approaches often used in teaching these skills.
4. Form positive relationships
Building and maintaining healthy relationships with friends, family, and partners can help reduce social isolation and relieve stress that can trigger BPD symptoms.
5. Avoid using illegal substances
You must avoid drug or alcohol abuse. Because the use of these substances can trigger or even worsen existing BPD symptoms.
This is because this substance can have a negative impact on physical and mental health.
6. Pay attention to relationship patterns
If you tend to experience unstable or conflicted relationships, consider couples or family therapy.
This can help understand and correct unhealthy interaction patterns.
7. Overcome Trauma
If you have a history of trauma or difficult experiences, seeking support to deal with the trauma can help reduce your risk of BPD.
Trauma therapy or EMDR therapy are some approaches that may help.
8. Manage stress
Learning to manage stress through methods such as regular exercise, meditation, yoga, and creative activities can help maintain mental health.
This is because BPD can also start from unresolved stress.
When to See a Doctor?
A borderline personality disorder is a serious mental illness that requires immediate medical attention.
Moreover, if the symptoms are quite severe, one of them always attempts suicide.
If you experience signs and symptoms of borderline personality disorder or other mental health problems, you should immediately consult a doctor or psychologist.