Borderline personality disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), pronounced /ˈbɔːrdərlaɪn pɜːrsəˈnælɪti dɪsˈɔːrdər/, is a mental health condition characterized by ongoing instability in moods, behavior, self-image, and functioning. These experiences often result in impulsive actions and unstable relationships.

Etymology

The term "borderline" was first introduced in the United States in 1938. It was a term used by psychoanalysts to describe people who were on the border between a neurosis and psychosis.

Symptoms

People with BPD may experience mood swings and may display uncertainty about how they see themselves and their role in the world. They may have difficulties with interpersonal relationships and may have a fear of abandonment. Other symptoms include impulsive and risky behavior, such as risky driving, unsafe sex, drug use, or suicidal behavior.

Related Terms

Emotional dysregulation: A term used to describe an emotional response that is poorly modulated and does not fall within the conventionally accepted range of emotive response.
Impulsivity: A multifactorial construct that involves a tendency to act on a whim, displaying behavior characterized by little or no forethought, reflection, or consideration of the consequences.
Self-harm: Self-harm, also known as self-injury, is defined as the intentional, direct injuring of body tissue, done without the intent to commit suicide.

Treatment

Treatment of BPD typically involves psychotherapy, with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) being the most common approach. Other treatments include dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), schema-focused therapy, and systems training for emotional predictability and problem-solving (STEPPS).