Depression Information

I Love You, I Hate You But Dont Go: Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder


It amazes me that 6-10 million Americans have been diagnosed with this isolating disorder. What's amazing about this is that not much is written about BPD much less talked about. Almost like there is a stigma attached to the very name.

The name Borderline Personality Disorder originated in 1938 by Adolph Stern. He was describing a group of patients that didn't quite fit an existing diagnosis; patients that were classified as past the neurotic stage but not quite psychotic. However these days this disorder is seen in a different way but the name BPD has stuck.

BPD is relatively common, affecting 10-14% of the general population. Women commonly suffer from depression more often than men and the frequency of BPD in women is two to three times greater than men. Nearly 20% of psychiatric hospitalizations stem from BPD.

While people that suffer with depression or bipolar disorder typically endure the same mood for several weeks at a time, a person with BPD can experience depression and anxiety that may last only an hour or at most, a day.

Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder

? Impulsive aggression

? Self injury

? Strong feelings of anxiety

? Feelings of low self worth

? Drug or alcohol abuse

? Impulsive behaviors

? Feelings of being misunderstood

? Experience unstable relationships

Sometimes people suffering from BPD view themselves essentially as bad people or unworthy. This mood instability and poor self-image can bring on bouts of anger, eating disorders, panic attacks and anxiety. Very intense emotional turmoil appears to be a way of life for those afflicted by it.

However, often times a person with BPD can present as a bright, intelligent individual with a warm, friendly nature. They can maintain this appearance for a number of years until their defense mechanism breaks down, usually because of a very stressful situation like a relationship breakup or death of a loved one.

They may feel isolated and empty which may result in frantic efforts to avoid being alone. People with BPD often formulate highly unstable relationship patterns. While their relationships with family and friends can be very intense their attitude can change dramatically and suddenly from great admiration and love to profound anger and distaste. Often times they will form an immediate attachment to another person but when even a slight conflict or separation occurs they shift suddenly to the other extreme and accuse the other person of not really caring about them at all. They are highly sensitive to any sign (real or imagined) of rejection and react quickly with anger and distress when their expectations are not met.

Over the years treatments for BPD have improved with group and individual psychotherapy at least partially effective for a great number of patients. Talking about present challenges and past experiences with an empathetic and accepting therapist on a consistent and regular basis has proven effective. Patients are encouraged to talk about their feelings rather than expel them in their usual self-defeating manner.

Sometimes medications such as antidepressants or lithium carbonate are helpful in treatment of BPD and brief hospitalization may be necessary during acutely stressful episodes or if self-destructive behavior threatens to erupt.

The goals of ongoing therapy and/or treatments would be to increase an individual's tolerance of anxiety as well as increase self awareness and build more stability into relationships. With increased self awareness and introspection, it is hoped that individuals with BPD will be able to change rigid patterns of behavior set earlier in life which in turn will help prevent these patterns from repeating themselves in future generations.

Lois Galloway is a Professional Coach. As the founder of Discover Yourself Coaching, Lois acknowledges that each person is extraordinary in their own right and that having a personal coach will encourage and empower individuals to gain clairty and move forward to become their very best! To learn more about Discover Yourself Coaching, please follow the link to Lois's web site and remember to sign up for the monthly newsletters. http://www.discoveryourselfcoaching.com


MORE RESOURCES:

The Star-Ledger - NJ.com

'Helen' movie review: Sadly, this film about depression isn't very good
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com
One of the thousand depressing things about depression is just how difficult it is to get on the screen. Other illnesses — manic-depression, ...
Ashley Judd on Battling Depression and Her Political ActivismBlackBook Magazine
Interview with Sandra Nettlebeck: Writer/Director of HelenHuffington Post (blog)
Exclusive CS Video: Ashley Judd is HelenComingSoon.net

all 4 news articles »




For your inner fanboy
Los Angeles Times
A TOPICAL DEPRESSION: Rowling had plenty of personal challenges in her life -- there are many stories about the single mom's lean-money days before the ...

and more »


CBS News

Obama Says `Tough Decisions' on $60 Billion Automaker Aid Now Paying Off
Bloomberg
... Co. and Chrysler Group LLC have led to a “hopeful story” of economic recovery following the nation's worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. ...
Autos, banks, jobs: Obama's political challengeUSA Today
Visiting Obama deserves credit for saving GM, ChryslerDetroit Free Press
President Obama Visits General Motors and Chrysler TodayThe Brilliant Stories (blog)
Los Angeles Times (blog)
all 1,232 news articles »


Is the Republican Victory Plan Another Great Depression?
OpEdNews
Every time they reach the economic concentration levels that currently exist, we have a serious depression. This is a direct result of increasingly ...
LETTER: Why should wealth be redistributed to others?Clarksville Leaf Chronicle

all 3 news articles »


New York Daily News

Zac Efron loses kid brother, slips into serious depression, and still retains...
Philly2Philly.com
Zac Efron loses kid brother, slips into serious depression, and still retains flawless skin in 'Charlie St. Cloud' By Jim Teti at 2:51 am on Friday July 30, ...
Nonprofit screens Zac Efron movie tonightFlorida Today
Zac Efron gives a shout out to TWLOHA supportersHollywoodnews.com

all 1,202 news articles »


Extravagant Chelsea Clinton Wedding a National Disgrace
NewsBlaze
America is suffering thorough the worst economic period since the Great Depression. There are millions of unemployed and underemployed ...

and more »


Washington Post

Wyly brothers built an empire side-by-side
Washington Post (blog)
Born during the Depression in a northeast Louisiana plantation town of 3000, Charles Wyly and his younger brother ...
Wealthy Dallas brothers become SEC fraud targetThe Associated Press

all 631 news articles »


Top Doctors: Understanding depression
Newsday (subscription)
Depression is a recurring theme in television dramas and celebrity tell-alls. Yet many Americans keep their own ill feelings bottled up, suffering in ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006