The Diagnosis For Borderline Personality Disorder

Because borderline personality disorder was not considered a “valid” diagnosable illness until 1980(by clinical standard), the illness’ history is one that is more so rooted in the history of other illnesses ("What Is Borderline Personality," 2012, Para 1). Prior to its inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, borderline was considered to be “overlapped with schizophrenia, non-schizophrenic psychoses, and neuroses such as anxiety and depressive disorders.” (Friedel, M.D., 2012, Para. 1). Because it was often associated with so many different illnesses, borderline was considered to be a throw away diagnoses because it only found purpose when patients did not fit the mold for other diagnostic requirements.

A personality disorder is characterized by a distinct pattern of behavior that does not meet normal standards of behavior within one’s culture. This pattern is ingrained as the norm to the person affected, and the characteristics of the affected person deviate markedly from societal standards (Hebblethwaite, 2009). The two main features that help to identify a personality disorder are chronic interpersonal difficulties and persons with one’s identity or sense of self (Livesly, 2001). Within this set of mental health disorders lie several other subsets, including one of the most prominent personality disorders - Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). BPD is a severe, long-lasting disorder that has an incidence of occurrence approximately equal to that of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia combined (Grant, Chou, Goldstein et al., 2008). BPD also puts those affected at risk for damage in many areas of their life if not properly diagnosed and treated, including personal relationships, school, work, and self-imagine. Furthermore, this disorder has a high co-morbidity with other disorders such as depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, and social phobia, among many more (Hebblethwaite, 2009). Misdiagnosis of borderline personality disorder can have serious clinical implications. This paper looks to identify the risk factors associated with BPD, the affects on various aspects of the person’s life, treatments, and give recommendations as to how to properly identify and

binge eating, ex, i saw a snapchat of my ex wih what appears to be anoher girl (new love interest) and i ended up eating half a bag of chips and three pieces of french toast.

However, once basic symptoms are recognized, it is apparent that borderline disorder is present. To be diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, one must exhibit symptoms from one or more of the four behavioral dimensions: poorly regulated emotions, impulsivity, impaired perception and reasoning, and markedly disturbed relationships. These symptoms must be inflexible and maladaptive, meaning they do not change. (American Psychiatric Association, 2000, 650-651)

The main feature of borderline personality disorder is the pervasive pattern of unstable relationships, self-image, and impulsiveness. Borderline personality disorder begins by early adulthood and is present in a variety of situations. A person with borderline personality disorder will make major efforts to avoid any situation of abandonment. There are many symptoms that go along with having borderline personality disorder. Some examples would include: intense fears of abandonment, intense anger and irritability, impulsive and risky behavior, and wide mood swings. Self-harm, suicidal behavior and substance intoxication are very common in people with borderline personality disorder. A person with BPD experiences emotions in different ways than

6) MacIntosh, H. B., Godbout, N., & Dubash, N. (2015). Borderline personality disorder: Disorder of trauma or personality, a review of the empirical literature. Canadian Psychology, 56(2), 227-241. Retrieved from

Borderline personality disorder is a personality disorder that has just recently become recognized. Borderline disorder is characterized by impulsive actions, instability in daily life and relationships, and negative self-image. Other signs and symptoms of the disorder include self-harm, emotion dysregulation, and suicidal ideation. The literature was reviewed to find the relationship between substance use and borderline personality disorder, and the best type of treatment for those with borderline personality disorder and substance use. Research has reported that impulsive behaviors may be one of the

Predisposing factors: Borderline personality disorder is a disorder that is characterized by a persons impulsive and/ reckless behavior, poor self-image, self-injury, emotional fluctuations, unstable relationships. There are links that suggest it could be caused by genetic and environmental factors, but it is still being studied. A person that is part of a community or culture with unstable upbringing can increase the risk for this disorder (National Institute of Mental Health, 2014). A childhood with physical and sexual abuse was often linked to people with BPD. It was more-so found to be linked with any neglect as a child (Am J Psychiatry, 1997 ). 6 to 10 million people are affected by borderline personality disorder. 75-90% of people with BPD are women (Borderline Personality Resource Center, 2012).

Go back to a time in life where someone has taken advantage of you. It may be as simple as someone borrowing lunch money and never returning it. It may be more serious such as someone who is constantly using their friendship for personal gain. You may have an easy way with cutting the person out of your life, but for others it may be much harder. Violent Sexual acts happen more often in the United States than what the media publishes in the news. These victims must relive the event, or events that have taken place over a period of their life. When looking at the aftermath of the act itself, it is many times much more harmful to the victim (Ullman and Filipas, 2001). When people think of victims of sexual assault, they many times think

Abstract: This paper will discuss the causes and psychological impact of borderline personality disorder. It will also talk about how to treat those impacted by borderline personality disorder.

Borderline personality disorder is a serious personality disorder. “Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental disorder marked by a pattern of ongoing instability in moods, behavior, self-image, and functioning.” Approximately two percent of the population suffers from this disorder. Six million people alone in the United States. Women are more likely to have borderline personality disorder than men. One out of every thirty three women are likely to suffer from this disorder. Out of every one hundred men have borderline personality disorder. Borderline Personality disorder is due to disturbances in the brain pathways that control emotion and impulse control. To be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder you must be at

The diagnostic process for personality disorders currently covers a broad scope of various tests and symptoms, causing a source of frustration for psychiatrists (Aldhous). The symptoms and side effects of several personality disorders can tend to blur together, making diagnosis challenging (Aldhous). Most psychiatric patients are diagnosed with several personality disorders at once, with twenty percent of people with personality disorders simply diagnosed with a “personality disorder not otherwise specified” (Aldhous). Using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, commonly referred to as the DSM, psychiatrists attempt with great difficulty to categorize their patients into a specific disorder, only to diagnose

Assessment of the patient with borderline personality disorder is inclusive of the patient's: (1) physical; (2) emotional; (3) cognitive; (4) social; and (5) spiritual characteristics. These are assessed based on the patient's: (1) subjective reports; (2) interview records; and (3) behavioral

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) affects about 4% of the general population, and at least 20% of the clinical psychiatric population. (Kernberg and Michels, 2009) In the clinical psychiatric population, about 75% of those with the disorder are women. BPD is also significantly heritable, with 42-68% of the variance associated

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterized by fluctuation of self-image, lack of stable interpersonal relationships and pronounced and unpredictable impulsivity. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (2013) also lists fear of abandonment, suicidal or self-harming behaviors, intense or inappropriate anger that is difficult to control as well as paranoid ideation or dissociative symptoms. Morcos and Morcos (2016) wrote that patients with BPD are often misdiagnosed with other trauma related disorders, such as PTSD, depression or bipolar disorder. According to Beatson, et al. (2016) there are additional issues in diagnosing older patients, as the criteria indicates that symptoms would have been seen early in the patient’s life, not later. Beatson, et al. (2016) also noted that there is a considerable lack of studies and literature concerning BPD in older patients, making the diagnostic process more difficult. In this case study we will be working with an older patient, one that was well into midlife before Borderline Personality Disorder was included in the DSM, to see if she fits the criteria for BPD and what treatment options might be available.