Introduction
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) can be considered a significant health problem that deteriorates the quality of individuals’ lives and results in undesired outcomes. It is a severe mental disease that starts to evolve in early childhood. Its effects can be dangerous as they include self-harm and deviant behaviors. In accordance with relevant reports, about 1.6% of people are diagnosed with BPD annually (National Health Service).
The given scope of the problem evidences that there is a need for a detailed investigation of symptoms and treatment approaches. Thus, the central idea of the paper is that borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental illness marked by a long-term pattern of varying moods, self-image, and behavior resulting in impulsive actions; psychotherapy is the primary treatment of BPD.
Symptoms and Causes of BPD
The complexity of BPD is evidenced by the existence of multiple psychological symptoms that deteriorate the quality of patients’ lives and might precondition the emergence of undesired outcomes. In accordance with the latest investigations, these symptoms include the disturbed sense of identity, mood sways, impulsive behaviors, recurring thoughts, and a chronic feeling of emptiness (Chanen and Thompson 50). In such a way, an important domain of persons’ functioning is affected.
There are different root causes preconditioning the emergence and development of BPD. The majority of them, such as violent behaviors, neglect, fear, can be described as potent stressors that place a patient in the state of shock and contribute to the appearance of inappropriate defensive mechanisms (The National Institute of Mental Health). Moreover, genetics, brain structure, social and environmental factors increase the risk of BPD (The National Institute of Mental Health). In such a way, psychological aspects can be associated with BPD’s emergence.
Diagnosing BPD
Similar to other mental disorders, it is critical to timely discover the problem and provide appropriate treatment. BPD is diagnosed based on a complete interview, medical exam, and medical history of a patient. However, regarding the existing guidelines and tests, determination of the illness can be complex. In most cases, difficulties in diagnosing BPD emerge because of the similarity of its symptoms with many other mental problems and mood disorders (The National Institute of Mental Health). At the same time, it remains a complex syndrome that has multiple factors to consider.
Treatment
The existing guidelines recommend the following interventions as the appropriate treatment. First of all, it is critical to create a care framework to show a patient that he/she is protected and there are people who are concerned about his/her health. It can help to reduce the level of anxiety and fear of loneliness (Chanen and Thompson 51). Second, psychotherapy is emphasized as the first-line treatment to help patients with BPD to cope with their symptoms and improve the quality of their lives (Chanen and Thompson 51). As for the pharmaceutical treatment, medication is not recommended unless a patient has an associated mental condition (Chanen and Thompson 52). Other interventions might include self-care activities performed by patients to reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms.
Prognosis
If the disease is discovered in time and the patient is provided with appropriate intervention, the positive results can be achieved. For instance, people with BPD may experience relief from symptoms for at least two years (Chanen and Thompson 53). At the same time, if the treatment is continuous and appropriately selected, people with BPD achieve high levels of psychosocial functioning. That is why effective intervention is critical
Conclusion
Altogether, BPD remains a common disease in clinical practice. Many people are diagnosed with it annually. They suffer from multiple psychological symptoms that deteriorate the quality of their lives. That is why, regardless of the complexity of diagnosing because of many similar conditions, it is critical to identify the problem and provide appropriate intervention. Unfortunately, BPD cannot be cured, but effective treatments are available.
Works Cited
Chanen, Andrew, and Katherine Thompson. “Prescribing and Borderline Personality Disorder.” Australian Prescriber, vol. 39, no. 2, 2016, pp. 49-53. Web.
National Health Service. “Overview. Borderline Personality Disorder.” NHS, 2016. Web.
The National Institute of Mental Health. “Borderline Personality Disorder.” National Institute of Mental Health, 2017. Web.