Subscribe Now
Every month Clayfield Counselling Services produces an email newsletter covering topics of interest to our clients and associates. To subscribe, fill in your email address below.
November 2010
Borderline personality disorder is most commonly characterized by extreme black and white thinking. In that a person’s mood can change abruptly from one moment to the next. Unlike a bipolar or depressive disorder, where a person may experience several weeks or months of the same mood, people with BPD can experience severe and extreme bouts of anger, depression and anxiety which can last a few hours or at the most a day. This can make it very difficult on family members and friends, since this behaviour often leads to alienation.
People with borderline personality disorder have difficulty relating other people and the world around them. Whilst the causes of BPD are unknown, they are generally influenced by social, biological or psychological factors.
There are a number of symptoms which include:
- Deep feelings of insecurity: i.e. abandonment or a constant need for reassurance.
- Persistent impulsiveness, i.e. abusing alcohol and other drugs; spending impulsively and gambling
- Intense outbursts of anger, anxiety and depression
- Self harm behaviors; i.e. cutting, slashing and in the extreme dangerous behaviors and suicide ideation.
Women are three times more likely to develop borderline personality disorder than men and it affects two in one hundred people, roughly 300 000 Australians.
Treatments available
The most common treatment involves a combination of psychological therapy, medication and support. Psychological therapy is a useful tool in understanding the triggers and learning coping strategies. It is important not only for the person with BPD but also for their loves one, who are in need of support.
Medication alone does not fix BPD; however it can be useful in the management of symptoms such as mood swings and depression. It is strongly advised to seek medical opinion before any decisions are made. It is important that a person who has BPD has a support network in place, community initiatives and support groups can be very beneficial.
With the appropriate treatment people with a borderline personality disorder can lead a full and productive life. However, it is important to understand these are only treatments as there is no cure or magic pill that will magically erase the problem. It is just as important for the person who has BPD to seek assistance as it is for their family members and support people to get the support they need.
Like with all things in life, it is important to seek the opinion of someone who is qualified who will be able to correctly diagnose the disorder. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, counselling can be very beneficial.
Useful Sources: