Borderline personality disorder in medical practice

What is borderline personality disorder (BPD)? According to the National Institute of Mental Health, unstable moods; impulsive and reckless behavior, and unstable or volatile relationships may be indicative of BPD. People with BPD often have high rates of co-occurring disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and eating disorders, along with self-harm, suicidal behaviors, and completed suicides. They often make poor life choices and take unwise risks. Thus, adults with borderline personality disorder are considerably more likely to be the victim of violence, including rape and other crimes. How does BPD develop? If there is abuse, neglect, severe family instability, or other trauma, “splitting” can develop during childhood.  The child has to cope with parenting that is not “good enough.” Because we need parents, there are then strong positive (love) as well as strong negative emotions (hate) about the same person. A longing for a “good mother” develops, in contrast to the “bad mother.” This generalizes to other early experiences which are then felt as either “good” or “bad,” “black or white,” “right or wrong.” Later, the child, adolescent, or adult stays like an infant stuck in the emotional habit of trying to tell “good” from “bad.” Rages, temper tantrums, selfishness, are born here. The poor coping strategi...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Conditions Psychiatry Source Type: blogs