Definition
Borderline personality disorder is a mental condition where people have long-term patterns of unstable emotions (Ncbi). Borderline personality disorder, BPD for short, causes emotional instability that leads to a variety of other stressful 
mental and behavioral problems.
With borderline personality disorder, severely distorted self-image and feelings of worthless, Anger, impulsiveness and frequent mood swings may occur and push others away, even though that is usually not the intention. Most often people with BPD have an insecure sense of who they are which leads to frequent changes in jobs, friendships, goals and values (Mayoclinic).
Causes
The causes of borderline personality disorder (BPD) are unknown. Genetic, family, and social factors are thought to play roles (Ncbi).
- Genetics: Some studies suggest that personality disorders may be inherited or strongly associated with other mental disorders among family members.
- Environmental factors: Many people with borderline personality disorder have a history of childhood abuse, neglect and separation from loved ones.
- Brain abnormalities: Some research has shown changes in certain areas of the brain involved in emotion (Mayoclinic).
Symptoms
Borderline personality disorder affects how people feel about themselves, how they relate to others and how they behave (mayoclinic). People with BPD are often uncertain about their identity and as a result, their interests and values may 
change rapidly quickly (ncbi).
Symptoms include:
- Frequent displays of inappropriate anger
- Impulsive and risky behavior, such as unsafe sex, gambling sprees or illegal drug use
- Wide mood swings
- Short but intense episodes of anxiety or depression
- Suicidal behaviour, feelings of self-hate and self-loathing
Treatment
Dialectical behavioural therapy can successfully treat BPD by helping these people learn coping techniques that they did not receive in their childhoods. Group therapy can also help change self-destructive behaviourssuch as cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychoanalytic psychotherapy..
In some cases, medications can treat other disorders that may occur with this condition. For example if Depression coexists, Prozac may be taken but there are no specific medications for BPD in general.
Sometimes people are treated with several medications at the same time, but that does not mean the patient will be healed faster or more effectively (medicinenet).
Statistics and Facts (medicinenet)
- BPD affects 6% of adults
- People with borderline personality disorder often have difficulty accepting gray areas (mayoclinic).
- Some believe BPD is a variation of bipolar disorder, and not a disorder of its own.
- In order to be diagnosed with BPD, five of the main symptoms have to be experienced as there is no specific definitive test, like a blood test, to diagnose BPD.
Case Study 1
Dal is an attractive woman who is emotionally unstable because she has BPD. She had six “serious relationships” claiming they were all “Prince charming” once but eventually she found herself in violent fights. Although Dal is very calm, throughout her relationships she physically assaulted 3 men and used violent language and threatening phrases. She does not remember what made her so angry.
In a single therapy session Dal’s emotions change drastically, escalating from sadness to confidence.
“It’s their loss. I would have made the perfect wife had they known how to treat me right”
”I am not getting younger, you know – who would want me when I am forty and penniless?”
Dal likes to engage in risky behavior because she enjoys living a dangerous lifestyle, a side effect of BPD. She does drugs, is a shopaholic and often finds herself in debt, and binges on food.
She went for therapy because she is having suicidal thoughts. Also she sometimes hears voices but she know that they’re not real (healthyplace).
Case Study 2
Amanda Green says it is difficult for others to deal with her BPD. She has gone through a lot of therapy but it has not decreased her symptoms.
“I can switch from one good emotion to another in a flash.”
“Everything is either black or white – I can switch from liking someone a lot, to disliking them completely and this hurts me and my relationship.”
Amanda always felt that her past life was happy, but her psychiatrist uncovered mistakes Amanda made throughout her life such as cutting, obsessing, no jobs for so long, abusive relationships, drinking and drug abuse, and avoiding people which took a toll on her today.
Now that she is diagnosed her main objective is to settle down and be more ‘normal’ as she refuses to take medication (amandagreen)
References
Borderline Personality Disorder. (2012, September 13). Ncbi. Retrieved October 12, 2012, from www.ncbi.com/borderline_personality_disorder/article.htm
Borderline personality disorder . (2012, October 11). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 12, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borderline_personality_disorder
Borderline personality disorder. (2012, April 17). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved October 12, 2012, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/borderline-personality-disorder/DS00442
DBT Therapy. (n.d.). GoodTherapy. Retrieved October 12, 2012, from http://www.goodtherapy.org/Dialectical-Behavioral-Therapy.html
Green, A. (n.d.). Case study of Borderline personality disorder . Amanda Green. Retrieved October 16, 2012, from http://amandagreenauthor.co.uk/case-study-of-borderline-personality-disorder/
Shiell, W. (2012, November 15). Borderline personality disorder. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved October 12, 2012, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001931/
Vaknin, S. (2009, October 1). The Borderline Patient – A Case Study – HealthyPlace. HealthyPlace.com – Trusted Mental Health Information and Support – HealthyPlace. Retrieved October 15, 2012, from http://www.healthyplace.com/personality-disorders/malignant-self-love/borderline-patient-a-case-study/
