Today we will be examining one of ten personality disorders called Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), which affects between 1% and 5% of the United States population. We will be defining the disorder, exploring its symptoms, and investigating the interesting role of gender in the diagnosis of BPD.

Borderline Personality Disorder affects an individual’s ability to properly regulate their emotions, resulting in drastic emotional highs and lows. Individuals diagnosed with BPD may overreact to situations that would not normally warrant an intense emotional response. These reactions can be positive or negative, but almost always go to one of the two extremes. When this happens, the individual may struggle to return to a balanced state of mind for an extended period of time. They may also regularly lose control of their emotions or swing quickly from one extreme to the other.

The onset of BPD is in adolescence or early adulthood and affects interpersonal relationship and self-esteem. Common backgrounds for those with BPD are childhood neglect, parental loss at an early age, sexual and physiological abuse. In addition to intense mood swings, other symptoms of BPD include:

  • Impulsivity
  • Dangerous Behavior
  • Low Self-Esteem
  • Feelings of Emptiness
  • Dissociation
  • Uncontrollable Rage
  • Self-harm
  • Irritability

Many of these symptoms can provoke insecurity or shame, especially after an intense shift in their mood. Individuals with BPD can experience frequent depression and anxiety associated with helplessness.

Because of the volatility of their emotions, individuals with BPD may struggle to maintain stable relationships. During period of emotion intensity, individuals with BPD may even lash out at loved ones, feeling hated, attacked, or unloved. It is crucial that the friends and family of someone with BPD learn to navigate these mood swings without giving up on the individual. Short and long-term separation can be especially challenging for some individuals with BPD, because it stimulates feelings of abandonment.

While many disorders occur equally among men and women, psychologists have found a number of gender-related differences in individuals with BPD. Men, for example, tend to demonstrate more impulsivity and anger, while women are more likely to experience anxiety and low self-esteem. Women also comprise approximately 75% of the population of individuals diagnosed with BPD in the United States, outnumbering their male counterparts by a significant margin. It is important to keep in mind that BPD shares many of its symptoms with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depression, so it is possible some individuals with BPD has been misdiagnosed.

If you or a loved one is experiencing one or more of these symptoms on a regular basis, seek help from your local Spokane health care professional.

Damaris Aragon, ARNP, BC provides a full spectrum of mental health care to people in Spokane, Washington and the surrounding areas. She focuses on providing compassionate personalized care that adheres to current evidence-based standards. Reach out to Damaris through her contact page or calling 509-342-6592.