by John Louie Ramos

Created on: September 20, 2010

Borderline personality disorder is one of the most common personality disorder among young adults particularly those who have reached the age of majority (18 years-old.) BPD can be described as a prolonged behavioral instability characterized by occasional and sudden mood swings, chaotic relations with other people, an obsessive idealization of one's own self-image and other behavioral attitude problems that could result into more serious health consequences.

The prevalence of BPD is significantly higher compared to other common personality disorder such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. Thus, a greater extent of research and effort should be given to it in order to study and further discover certain things about the said mental disorder.

Similarly, psychologist and researchers have discovered some breakthroughs that can be useful to those people suffering from such severe attitude problem. Through the years, they have found the cause, signs and symptoms as well as possible treatment for BPD.

Cause

Just like any other mental disorder, BPD roots from a traumatic experience specifically during the developmental stage or childhood of the patient. According to various research, child abuse particularly child sexual abuse is one of the most common sources of BPD while other studies reveal that genes play also an important role in shaping personality traits that could lead into BPD and other mental disorders.

Signs and Symptoms

Some of the most common signs of BPD include unusual and overly exaggerated characteristics such as oversensitivity (displayed whenever the patient received criticisms from others) and other extreme feelings of distrusts, anger and loneliness that could be self-destructive for the patient.

Other impulsive symptoms of BPD includes addiction to alcohol, drugs and even being workaholic. People who suffer from BPD become irresponsible and nature and they tend to be reckless with their dealings to other people.

People with such mental disorder also exhibits manipulative and difficult personality behaviors ironically resulting from powerlessness, fright and low self-esteem.

Possible Treatment

Due to the recent advancement in medical technologies, BPD can now be treated by applying certain mental therapeutic techniques and psychological schemes. Hence, treatment for BPD varies depending on the extremity of the disorder and the circumstances that surrounds the BPD case and the patient.

In the United States and UK, many institutions provide health care and treatment for people who suffer from BPD and other mental personality disorders. Needless to say, professional treatment is necessary in extreme cases of BPD.

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