Borderline Personality Disorder Explained (Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder)

Summary

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition characterized by intense emotional responses, unstable relationships, and a distorted self-image. It is classified as a Cluster B personality disorder and is marked by nine core symptoms, including fear of abandonment, impulsivity, and mood swings. BPD is diagnosed based on the presence of five of these symptoms and is influenced by genetic, environmental, and social factors. It is associated with a history of abuse and can co-occur with other mental health disorders. Treatment primarily involves psychotherapy, with dialectical behavior therapy and mentalizing-based therapy being particularly effective.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Personality disorders are characterized by significant deviations from societal expectations, affecting normal functioning.
• 🔍 Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is classified as a Cluster B disorder in the DSM-5 and is also known as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder in the ICD.
• 🔑 The disorder is marked by intense emotional responses, unstable relationships, and a distorted self-image.
• 🔑🔑 There are nine core symptoms of BPD, including fear of abandonment, unstable relationships, identity disturbance, impulsivity, suicidal ideation, mood reactivity, feelings of emptiness, anger, and dissociation.
• 📈 To be diagnosed with BPD, an individual must exhibit five or more of these nine symptoms across different contexts.
• 👨‍⚕️ BPD is typically diagnosed in early adulthood, but it can also be diagnosed in adolescents.
• 🧬 A combination of genetic, environmental, and social factors is believed to contribute to the development of BPD.
• 🌐 The prevalence of BPD is estimated to be between one to two percent in the general population and up to twenty percent among inpatient psychiatry populations.
• 👥 Studies have shown a strong correlation between child abuse and an unstable family environment with the development of BPD.
• 💊 While no specific medication is approved for BPD, certain classes like anti-convulsants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and antipsychotics may be prescribed.
• 💬 Psychotherapy is the main treatment approach for BPD, with three prominent therapies being Mentalizing-Based Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Transference-Focused Psychotherapy.

Q & A

What is a personality disorder according to the script?

A personality disorder is a condition where an individual's personality deviates strongly from societal expectations and can cause trouble in functioning normally.

What is borderline personality disorder and how is it classified?

Borderline personality disorder is a cluster B disorder in the DSM-5 and is also known as emotionally unstable personality disorder in the ICD classification.

What are the nine core signs and symptoms of borderline personality disorder?

The nine core signs and symptoms include fear of abandonment, unstable relationships, disturbed sense of identity, impulsivity or reckless behavior, recurrent suicidal ideation or self-harm, emotional dysregulation, mood reactivity, feelings of emptiness, uncontrollable anger, and severe dissociation or stress-related paranoia.

How many of the nine features need to be present for a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder?

Five of the nine features need to be present across a variety of contexts for a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder.

At what age is borderline personality disorder usually diagnosed?

Borderline personality disorder is usually diagnosed in early adulthood, but it can also be diagnosed in individuals under 18.

What factors are thought to contribute to the development of borderline personality disorder?

A combination of genetic, environmental, and social factors are thought to contribute to the development of borderline personality disorder.

What is the estimated prevalence of borderline personality disorder in the general population?

It is estimated that one to two percent of the general population are affected by borderline personality disorder.

What is the heritability of borderline personality disorder?

There is up to a 69% heritability of borderline personality disorder, which is the extent to which genes make up a trait.

What is the correlation between child abuse and the development of borderline personality disorder?

There is a strong correlation between child abuse, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and an unstable family environment with the development of borderline personality disorder.

How does borderline personality disorder affect an individual's daily life?

Having borderline personality disorder can make completing school and keeping a job difficult, and individuals may partake in risky behaviors, which can predispose them to harm.

What are the common co-occurring disorders with borderline personality disorder?

Common co-occurring disorders include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, eating disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and bipolar disorder.

What are the main types of psychotherapy used to treat borderline personality disorder?

The main types of psychotherapy used to treat borderline personality disorder are mentalizing based therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and transference focused psychotherapy.