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Borderline Personality Disorder
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious psychiatric condition. A personality disorder is a general term for an abnormal, lifelong pattern of behavior and thoughts. People with a borderline personality are unstable in their self-image, moods, behavior, and relationships with others.
What is going on in the body?
No one knows what causes borderline personality disorder. The disorder may be associated with abnormalities in the structures and pathways in the brain that regulate emotion.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
The exact cause of borderline personality disorder is unknown. Most experts believe that the disorder is caused by a combination of the following factors:
People with BPD are more likely to have other psychiatric disorders, including:
Symptoms & Signs
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
People with borderline personality disorder may have the following characteristics:
Diagnosis & Tests
How is the condition diagnosed?
Diagnosis of borderline personality disorder begins with a medical history and physical exam. There is no one test that can make the diagnosis. A written survey of symptoms or a psychological test may be used to help make the diagnosis.
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the condition?
There are no known ways to prevent this condition. A stable and loving home life during childhood is thought to reduce the risk of personality disorders.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
Long-term effects are mostly related to the person's behavior. This may include financial, legal, and social problems. Death may occur due to suicide or risk-taking behavior.
What are the risks to others?
Borderline personality disorder is not contagious and poses no risk to others.
Treatment & Monitoring
What are the treatments for the condition?
Treatment options for borderline personality disorder have improved greatly in the past few years. Effective treatments include the following:
Unfortunately, many people with BPD are not compliant with their treatment plans.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Medicines used to treat the disorder may cause drowsiness, dry mouth, and allergic reactions.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
Most people with borderline personality disorder have lifelong problems. As people get older, they often become a little more stable. Most people with this disorder need help and therapy for life, if they are willing to accept it.
How is the condition monitored?
Regular visits to a therapist are usually advised. Regular blood tests may be ordered to monitor medicine levels. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
Attribution
Author:Adam Brochert, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:07/31/01
Reviewer:Gail Hendrickson, RN, BS
Date Reviewed:06/15/01
Sources
Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry, 2000, Kaplan et al.