Borderline

Personality Disorder

Kylia McCoy
 BPD is a disorder characterized by a person's
unstable or irregular emotions. This can lead to

Defining Borderline severe mood swings, impulsivity or instability. It

generally begins in adolescence or early adulthood.
Many other disorders can exist within BPD like
Personality Disorder: anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse and
depression, making it hard to diagnosis.

BPD affects approximately 1.6%-5.9% (3.8-14 mil)

of Americans.
Symptoms
● Frantic Efforts to Avoid real/Imagined Abandonment
● Unstable relationships
● Distorted/Unstable Self-Image
● Impulsive Behaviors (2+) Note: While suicidal
tendencies are not
● Dissociative Symptoms always associated with
the disorder, many (like
● Chronic Emotional Instability the DSM-5) include
suicidal behavior in the
● Self-harm or Mutilation criteria for diagnosis due
to the alarming percent
● Suicidal Tendencies of BPD patients with
suicidal tendencies.
Causes
While there is no solid proof on the specific cause, and many psychiatrists
believe that is a unique combination of factors for each patient.

➔ Biological/Genetic
No specific gene has been found to indicated if a person is predisposed
for the disorder, although a patient is nearly 5 times as likely to develop
the disorder if they have a close relative with it. Because the brain often
functions differently in BPD cases, it is suggested that there is also a
neurological base for the symptoms, especially those that affect mood
regulation. (Twin Studies)

➔ Environmental
People who have experienced traumatic life events, abuse, neglect,
assault, sexual abuse, or abandonment are also shown to have an
increased risk of developing BPD.
Treatment
There is no cure for BPD, or one right path, but generally physciatrists will have a good combination of
psychotherapy, hospitalizations, and medications as the patient requires.

● Psychotherapy can include: DBT, CBT, Psychodynamic, group therapy and/or Talk Therapy
● Hospitalization: During intense times of stress, or impulsive behaviors may be used. Though
generally it is short-termed and a last resort.
● Medication: There is currently no medicine that has shown to cure or prevent the disorder, although
many medications may be prescribed like antipsychotics and antidepressants.

After Treatment:

● 2 years: 40% Remission

● 6 years: 68% Remission
● 10 years: 85% Remission
From an outsider
Because of the unstable relationships, romantic
and platonic relationships can be very difficult
for BPD Patients and their partner. This can
include co-dependence, intense but short lived
relationships, overbearing, etc.
 Ciations

➔ NEA→BPD
“BPD OVERVIEW.” National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder, 2017,
www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.com/what-is-bpd/bpd-overview/.

➔ NAMI
“Borderline Personality Disorder” National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2017.
https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Borderline-Personality-
Disorder.aspx

➔ BPS
“A Brief Presentation on BPD” Lucia Merino, LCWS Bilingual Psychological Services,
https://www.slideshare.net/Lucia_Merino?utm_campaign=profiletracking&utm_medium=sssite&u
tm_source=ssslideview