Other Underlying Issues

I received an email tonight asking if I have ever sponsored a woman who is in recovery but also fighting BPD. Then she shared her moving story, which is not mine to share.

I responded by saying, "Thank you for sharing! Wow, I have learned so much from your story. To answer your question, no, though I do know a woman who has it and she informed me that it is more common than most of us think. With the help of therapy, she has nearly made a full recovery. What a blessing! I've also read that it's much more common in women than in men. I will post straight-to-the-point facts on the blog tonight, for underlying issues have always interested me...and, please remember, you are never alone. Your story could help many other women."

Here is what I found from The National Library of Medicine:

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition in which a person has long-term patterns of unstable or turbulent emotions. These inner experiences often result in impulsive actions and chaotic relationships with other people.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Cause of borderline personality disorder is unknown. Genetic, family, and social factors are thought to play roles.

Risk factors for BPD include:
Abandonment in childhood or adolescence Disrupted family life
Poor communication in the family
Sexual, physical, or emotional abuse

Symptoms
Persons with BPD are often uncertain about their identity. As a result, their interests and values can change rapidly. They also tend to view things in terms of extremes, such as either all good or all bad. Their views of other people can change quickly. A person who is looked up to one day may be looked down on the next day. These suddenly shifting feelings often lead to intense and unstable relationships.

Other symptoms of BPD include:
Intense fear of being abandoned
Cannot tolerate being alone
Often pessimistic outlook
Thought disorders
Frequent feelings of emptiness and boredom Frequent displays of inappropriate anger Impulsiveness, such as with substance abuse or sexual relationships
Repeated crises and acts of self-injury, such as wrist cutting or overdosing 

Signs and tests
BPD is diagnosed based on a psychological evaluation that assesses the history and severity of the symptoms.

Treatment
Individual talk therapy may successfully treat BPD. In addition, group therapy can sometimes be helpful. Medications have less of a role in the treatment of BPD. But in some cases, they can improve mood swings and treat depression or other disorders that may occur with this condition. 

Expectations (prognosis)
Outlook of treatment depends on how severe the condition is and whether the person is willing to accept help. With long-term talk therapy, the person often gradually improves. 

Complications
Depression
Drug abuse
Problems with work, family, and social relationships
Suicide attempts and actual suicide

Calling your health care provider
See your health care provider if you or someone you know has symptoms of borderline personality disorder. It is especially important to seek help right away if you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide.