Borderline Personality Disorder Research Paper

More than four million people in the United States alone have borderline personality disorder. That accounts for roughly 1.6% of the U.S. population. The disorder is relatively unknown to most people, but is more common than schizophrenia. About 20% of people diagnosed with the disorder are diagnosed with bipolar disorder as well. Borderline personality disorder is a mental disorder commonly characterized by unstable moods, behaviors, and relationships. It can also cause harm to one’s self-image. Someone with borderline personality disorder might experience periods of anger, anxiety, and depression which leads to impulsive behaviors. This often leads to problems in their relationships with their friends and family. These symptoms may last from …show more content…
Their usual activities and the things they value might change quickly because of this. They often view the world in extremes, causing their opinions of others can change erratically. Their changing emotions can cause strife, and lead to unstable relationships with those around them. There are many signs and symptoms to watch out for. Going from idelzation to hatred is not uncommon. Victims of this disorder may experience feelings of emptiness that can lead to self harming, along with suicidal thoughts or actions. They may experience extreme and fast changing moods, which typically last from a few hours to a few days. Acute anger and anger management problems are common. They might have a hard time trusting others, along with an unreasonable fear of people’s intentions. Spontaneous spending, unsafe driving, drug abuse, unprotected sex, and binge eating are also common, though these symptoms can indicate a mood disorder and not borderline personality disorder, if they happen at times of increased mood or energy. In some cases, they might feel a sense of disassociation, meaning that they perceive themselves from outside one’s body. It is important to keep in mind that not every victim of this disorder will experience every symptom. Some might only have a few symptoms, while other may have more. They can be triggered by every day events. Separation …show more content…
While researchers are unsure of the exact causes, findings suggest that factors including one’s environment, genes, and social experiences can be closely related to causing the disorder. Many of those who are affected by the disorder describe having traumatic life events including abandonment, being abused, and conflict during the formative years. Others have reported unstable relationships and conflict with those close to them to be the cause. Family history is also a contributing factor. Those with a sibling or parent with the disorder are at a higher risk of developing it themselves, often showing more aggressive and impulsive behaviors. Finally, the brain and it’s chemistry should be taken into consideration. Those with borderline personality disorder often have structural and functional changes in the parts of the brain that control emotional adjustment and impulses. It is unclear if these changes were the cause of the disorder, or caused by the disorder. All of these aspects should be taken into consideration, but by no means should be taken as a guarantee that one has, or will develop the disorder. In fact, some of those with the disorder may never experience any of these risk

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