Jelle Kennedy: Borderline Mental Illness

In order to work effectively and appropriately with vulnerable and marginalised groups in society such as individuals with mental illnesses, it is fundamental for a social worker to have a comprehensive knowledge base and proficient skills.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe mental health disorder that cause changes in the mood and behavior of a person. According to www.mhhe.com, traits of BPD would be “self-destruction behaviors, fear of abandonment, and mood shifts.” People suffering from BPD has symptoms and problem with regulating emotions (intense mood swings), low self-worth, aggressive behavior, and a fear of abandonment (being left behind). It has been found that BPD has vague symptoms that is based on a wide collection. The cause of BPD are not well understood, but some psychoanalytic believe the symptoms come from poor care taking during childhood.

Borderline Personality Disorder is a mental disorder characterized by instability in mood, impulsiveness, unstable relationships, and chronic emptiness. Borderline Personality Disorder affects approximately two percent of the population, and is predominately found in women. This disorder makes it difficult for people to understand social norms and the dynamics of relationships, so unpredictable and erratic behavior are common. Although Borderline Personality Disorder is incurable, it is treatable through talk therapy and medication. (Friedel, 2004, p. 2)

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders(DSM-5,2013), "Borderline Personality Disorder (301.83) is a pervasive pattern of volatility of interpersonal relations, self image, and affect, and marked impulsivity, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of context" (p. 663). Concurrent disorders associated with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are depressive and bipolar disorders and substance use disorders, eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders. BPD also commonly co-occurs with other personality disorders. These disorders have a high co-morbidity. The incidence of BPD

She also recounts a troubled childhood that might have aided in the development of this disorder, especially with a fear of abandonement (Should I live or Die, Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder, 2004). Some studies suggest that genetics are what play a role in disorders such as Borderline Personality Disorder, another possible cause of the disorder is a brain abnormality, “changes in certain areas of the brain involved in emotion regulation, impulsivity and aggression. In addition, certain brain chemicals that help regulate mood, such as serotonin, may not function properly (Borderline Personailty Disorder, Mayo

What is Borderline Personality Disorder? Is heredity the cause or is it a person’s surrounding environment? What are its effects? Are there any treatments available for it? Borderline Personality Disorder or BPD is a serious illness that causes a person to experience instability in moods, exhibit impulsive, quite often aggressive, behavior and creates severe self-worth issues. BPD is usually not a “stand alone” illness and typically is accompanied by other disorders such as Dysthymia, Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse. Although BPD can be extremely dangerous to those affected by it and those surrounded by them, it is quite often not given enough attention or taken as serious as it should be. As well, BPD is commonly misdiagnosed as

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 80% of women who are rape victims will be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Females are three to four times more likely to be sexually abused as a child, usually by their fathers. This is a very important statistic to keep in mind because of the amount of people diagnosed with this disorder that were sexually assaulted as a child. When someone is diagnosed with this disorder, it usually stays with them for the rest of their life. Borderline personality disorder is a very serious illness in which a person’s mood is instable, interpersonal relationships exist, and there is change in image and behavior (National Institute of Mental Health). Victims fail to live a normal family, friends, and work life, which is due to finding self-identity through others opinions. Borderline personality disorder is also associated with creating high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic back pain, and arthritis (National Institute of Mental

Borderline Personality disorder is one of the most commonly diagnosed and functionally disabling mental disorders. The central characteristic of this disorder is impulsivity and instability in mood, relationships and self-image. People who suffer with borderline personality disorder usually experience severe feelings of depression, emptiness, and intense fear of abandonment. They also engage in destructive behaviors such as sexual promiscuity, drinking, gambling, and eating sprees. These people may also attempt suicide and sometimes engage in self-mutilation. Those with Borderline personality disorder seek approval and acceptance where ever they go; they might also irrupt in anger at any sign or disapproval. This disorder is usually marked by a long

“Personality disorders have been documented in approximately 9 percent of the general U.S. population” (Angstman, Rasmussen, 2011). Emotional dysregulation disorder or its common name borderline personality disorder is a very serious and chronic disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) describes borderline personality disorder as “a pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity that begins by early adulthood and is present in a variety of contexts” (Gardner, 2006). Within the last 20 years, psychologists and other mental health professionals have made tremendous strides in research on what exactly borderline personality disorder, some of its triggers and possible effective treatment options. Borderline personality disorder is defined as a disorder that generates severe emotional instability which can be a springboard that can lead to other stress induced mental and behavioral problems.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, there are many symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder. Their symptoms must cause distress to themselves or others and must exhibit a consistent pattern. One symptom is an intense fear of being abandoned and the efforts to avoid this abandonment whether it is real or imagined. They may show a host of unstable relationships. This is caused by their need to feel accepted in which they become extremely needy and will cling to others. A person with BPD may have very diminished self-confidence and a confused sense of self. Persistent feelings of emptiness and helplessness are commonly expressed. Another symptom is that they show impulsivity in at least 2

Borderline Personality Disorder is characterized by a number of different symptoms, most markedly with severe patterns of impulsivity, instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image and affect. There are a number of other symptoms associated with this disorder, such as:

Likewise, the author read that Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is described as instability in interpersonal relationship, self-image and mood, a fast fluctuation between emotional states, impulsive behaviour and an inclination towards self-harm and suicidal thinking (NICE 2009).

The next morning, MMM was introduced to her inpatient Psychiatrist. MM mentioned to her Psychiatrist that she had battled symptoms of depression throughout high school and had thoughts of harming herself, especially after a relationship would end. The ending of a relationship would be followed by feelings of abandonment, like the feelings she had as a child when her father left. She also expressed to her Psychiatrist that she felt that she was not loveable and that she would be alone the rest of her life. She expressed resentment towards her father for leaving, and towards her mother for making him leave. She even expressed resentment towards her ex-boyfriend, whom the recent suicide attempt was over, but stated that she would take him back in a heartbeat. In fact, she stated that she hated him, but couldn’t live without him. The Psychiatrist listened to MMM carefully, and diagnosed her with Borderline Personality Disorder. He recognized the common statement made by those with Borderline: “I hate you, please don’t leave me”.

Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) include a pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and is marked impulsivity. BPD begins in early adulthood and is present in a variety of contexts. Alice Klieg displays 6 of

I believe that Carol’s case is a very interesting as it has the characteristics of what could be several different types of psychological disorders. Due to different aspects of her life, such as her reactions to her parents, social settings and substances, several different disorders come into my mind. For instance, high functioning aspergers is a possibility as she reached the different milestones at the appropriate ages, yet still follows the inability to perform well in social settings and difficulty in determining the feelings of her parents. However, amongst other things she is more drawn to English than she is to the math and sciences, which is typically the opposite for patients with aspergers. Social anxiety disorder is another possibility as she has issues with social settings, school, and work. She prefers to keep herself at home rather than to go out into the real world. She also attaches herself to specific people such as her mother or husband, and will only venture out of her comfort zone when she is with them.