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Borderline Personality Disorder ( Borderline )

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Borderline Personality Disorder is a mental disorder characterized by instability in mood, impulsiveness, unstable relationships, and chronic emptiness. Borderline Personality Disorder affects approximately two percent of the population, and is predominately found in women. This disorder makes it difficult for people to understand social norms and the dynamics of relationships, so unpredictable and erratic behavior are common. Although Borderline Personality Disorder is incurable, it is treatable through talk therapy and medication. (Friedel, 2004, p. 2)
The term “borderline personality disorder” was originally listed in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition in 1980. This title was used to describe …show more content…

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)
Extreme mood swings are common in patients with borderline personality disorder. Someone with BPD can switch between feelings of extreme happiness to intense sadness in an instant. Emotions are also felt more deeply and persist longer than others’. Because their emotions are more heightened, patients may exhibit hyper reactivity in situations that they consider unpleasant such as criticism, disagreements, or separation. These unpleasant events can cause extreme anger, resentment, or sadness whereas a normal person would easily get over the problem. On the other hand, patients are often exceptionally optimistic and enthusiastic when positive events occur. (nimh.nih.gov, 2013) Impulsiveness is shown by patients through sometimes reckless acts such as substance abuse, self-harm, or reckless driving. This impulsivity is used as a coping mechanism to deal with the emotional pain patients feel.
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