Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Overview

This is a serious mental disorder. With it, your mood and your actions aren't stable. You may have problems with anger, depression and anxiety. And, you may have intense mood swings. This can cause serious problems in your life. It can make it hard for you to have healthy relationships.

Causes

We don't understand the exact cause of this disorder. It can run in families. It may be linked to certain genes. It may be linked to the way your brain is structured, or the way it works. Other factors may be involved, too, such as things that you have experienced in your life and things in your environment.

Symptoms

If you have this disorder, your feelings for those closest to you may swing between intense love and extreme anger. Your relationships may be very unstable. You may have mood swings that last from a few hours to days. Things that shouldn't make you mad may enrage you. Your view of yourself may not be realistic. You may feel like you don't know who you really are. You may feel empty inside. You may feel that others are trying to hurt or abandon you. You may harm or threaten to harm yourself. You may be impulsive and reckless, and you may engage in risky behaviors.

Treatment

Talk therapy is the primary treatment for borderline personality disorder. Although there are no medications specifically for this disorder, medications may be used to treat some symptoms, such as mood swings or depression. You and your family members may benefit from counseling. If your symptoms are severe, especially if you may be a danger to yourself, you may need to be hospitalized. Your healthcare provider can create a plan that's right for you.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.