There are many illnesses that affect a person’s mind and behavior. Some are more common than others. Depression is one of the most common examples of these types of disorders, but the root of depression can sometimes be borderline personality disorder (BPD).BPD affects approximately 10 percent to 14 percent of the general population, and it is two to three times more likely to occur in women than in men. A person who suffers from this disorder is often disorganized and unstable in their relationships, self-image and mood. Those who have BPD may easily feel victimized by the ones closest to them, which can lead to mistrust and fractions in their relationships.
Sometimes, this illness is not easily recognizable. In fact, people can be suffering from it for many years without anyone in their lives realizing it. A person with BPD can easily appear competent, friendly, joyful and well-organized, but eventually a stressful situation or traumatic experience will bring the illness to the surface.
For someone with BPD, maintaining relationships can be very difficult. The stress that comes with intimate connections with others can be hard for people struggling with this disorder to handle. Their relationships are often riddled with sudden shifts in emotions or moods, and they often struggle to feel close or important to others. They may experience and display anger or fear, which sometimes comes in the form of temper tantrums and random outbursts.
Treating the illness is a process. It usually includes psychotherapy that allows the patient to talk openly about their past and their current difficulties. Therapy that is consistent and very structured can help a patient over time to feel safe to open up about their feelings. Antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs can sometimes help if a patient’s symptoms are severe, and temporary hospitalization may be necessary in some cases.
Ultimately, the path to recovery for someone with BPD is a potentially long one, but with a strong support system and some well-thought-out medical intervention, recovery is possible. A person with this disorder needs to be able to learn to tolerate and manage anxiety and other negative feelings. Effective therapy also teaches greater self-awareness, with a goal of getting to the root of the illness and changing patterns set in earlier years.