Borderline Personality Disorder
Recognizing Emerging Borderline Personality Disorder
By definition, a person suffering from borderline personality
disorder, fears being abandoned and will do just about anything
to prevent this. For example, self-manipulation, by slashing
arms or legs, repeated overdosing, delinquency, sexual promiscuity,
addictions and other self-destructive acts.
They will experience feelings known as "splitting".
They will see a person as being only "good" one
day and only "bad" the next, as they are unable
to distinguish that there is both bad and good in everyone.
Recognition of borderline personality disorder has been established
since the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual, 3rd Edition
(a diagnostic manual used by mental health professionals),
included it in 1980. However, characteristics of the disorder
have been acknowledged since as far back as 1930.
Development of Borderline Personality Disorder
When a symptom such as the inability to meet developmental
demands of separation and individuation are evident, the person
with borderline personality disorder has then obviously shown
that they are unable to integrate external relationships and
internal representation. This is just one of the many symptoms
which may develop in these personalities, some others are
impulse control problems, chronic anxiety and a number of
other defenses.
Aspects of Borderline Personality Disorder Behaviours
The most severely affected individuals are those who have
difficulty establishing relationships, they are lonely, depressed,
angry with others, and experience periods of psychosis mixed
with periods of inappropriate maladaptive behaviours. One
of the most typical borderline styles can be described as
a person who searches for companionship and affection. They
become anxious and angry during relationships retreating and
then feeling loneliness and depression. They show little real
affection towards anyone.
Others can become isolated or withdrawn; they wait to be
identified, behaving in a fashion similar to someone whom
they are attached. Finally, some people with borderline personality
disorder are able to develop relationships, however they still
lack consistent identity and giving. They develop self-oriented
relationships, characterized by whining, crying and dependency.
According to cognitive-behavioral perspectives the borderline
tends to dichotomize their thinking about themselves and other
people. For example, they think in terms of "all or nothing".
The sociocultural perspective states that the pressures of
society on family and individual cause dysfunctional family
problems, therefore a lack of clearly defined cultural norms
and expectations are experienced. Humanistic perspective explains
that the individual is incapable of reaching self-actualization
because needs are not motivated; therefore, growth and development
are restricted.
In conclusion, it is not just the person with the disorder
who is struggling, but others (family, friends) go through
troubling times as well. Those dealing with the individual
with borderline personality disorder also need support whether
it is from professionals or from each other.
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Author: Eric Choong
Please visit my website at: http://www.health-beauty-care.com
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