Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a psychological disorder affecting about 1 to 2% of the population. It occurs more frequently in women than in men. BPD is associated with severe emotional suffering and impulsive behavior. Research shows that the symptoms of BPD can be improved significantly over time.
Borderline Personality Disorder is considered a “personality disorder” by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition (DSM-IV). Personality disorders typically begin in adolescence or early adulthood and continue over many years. Personality disorders often cause a great deal of distress and interfere with a person’s ability to achieve fulfillment in relationships, work, or school. Although personality disorders are usually not formally diagnosed until adulthood, there are often early signs in adolescence. In BPD, such signs could include heightened emotional sensitivity and reactivity, problems maintaining long-term relationships, and intentional self-injury.
Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder often suffer from other psychological problems, including depression, substance use, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders. Approximately 75% of individuals with BPD have attempted suicide, and self-injurious behavior (such as cutting oneself) is quite common. Such behaviors contribute to the seriousness of the disorder and often prompt the sufferer – or the individual’s family members – to seek help from a mental health professional. Many individuals with BPD have been hospitalized one or more times, often following a suicide attempt or when professionals think there is a high risk of suicide.
A publication from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
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