Borderline personality disorder, BPD, is characterized in individuals who have great difficulties regulating their emotions. People with this disorder have emotional complications ranging from intense anger and unstable relationships, to suicide attempts and fears of abandonment or emptiness. Over 14 million American adults have BPD, making it more common than schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Although causes of borderline personality disorder are unknown, certain individuals can be more prone to developing the disorder. Abandonment during childhood, a broken family life, lack of communication in a household, and sexual abuse are all risk factors for borderline personality disorder. People with brain abnormalities are more susceptible to BPD issues with emotion regulation, impulsivity and aggression. Certain brain chemicals, like serotonin, help regulate mood but may not function properly with brain abnormalities.
This disorder severely impairs social relationships. Individuals can still show attachment but attitudes toward these friends or family can shift immediately. One day the borderline personality disorder individual may show admiration and kindness, and the next day show hostility and hatred. The disorder causes intense reactions to mild and temporary separations like vacations, business trips, or plans.
Although borderline personality disorder may seem debilitating, treatment has proven to be effective. Sessions of talk therapy, like dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), can successfully treat BPD. Methods of group therapy can reintroduce the individual into a comfortable, calm setting, helping aid the self-destructive behaviors. Certain medications have been effective in treating symptoms of BPD including anger, impulsivity and depression. Antidepressants, antipsychotics and anti-anxiety drugs have all helped individuals with the disorder.
Pasadena Villa’s Smoky Mountain Lodge is an adult intensive psychiatric residential treatment center for clients with serious mental illnesses. We also provide other individualized therapy programs, step-down residential programs, and less intensive mental health services, such as Community Residential Homes, Supportive Housing, Day Treatment Programs and Life Skills training. Pasadena Villa’s Outpatient Center in Raleigh, North Carolina offers partial hospitalization (PHP) and an intensive outpatient program (PHP). If you or someone you know may need mental health services, please complete our contact form or call us at 407-215-2519 for more information.
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