What is borderline personality disorder?
Borderline personality disorder is a mental health disorder that causes mood instability and self-image issues. Individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder often struggle with forming healthy relationships. This disorder can easily get in the way of living a normal life, but it is possible to find relief with the right treatment method.

What are the symptoms of borderline personality disorder?
Those who struggle with borderline personality disorder face challenges in how they see themselves and those around them. Symptoms may include any of the following:

Intense fear of abandonment, rejection, or separation
Patterns of unstable relationships
Risky and/or impulsive behavior
Mood swings
Periods of paranoia and disconnection from reality

What causes borderline personality disorder?
The cause of borderline personality disorder isn't entirely understood, but it is believed that genetics and brain abnormalities may play a part. Borderline personality disorder can be inherited if someone in your immediate family also has borderline personality disorder or another type of personality disorder. Changes to areas of the brain that regulate emotions and influence impulsivity are also believed to cause borderline personality disorder. Borderline personality disorder can also be related to changes in brain chemicals such as serotonin levels. Some risk factors make individuals more likely to develop borderline personality disorder, such as having a family member who has been diagnosed, childhood trauma, abuse, or neglect.

How do you treat borderline personality disorder?
Treatment for borderline personality disorder is designed to help individuals learn to function normally, manage emotions, manage impulsive behaviors, improve relationships, and teach healthy coping strategies. Several different psychotherapy techniques can help individuals with borderline personality disorder, such as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), schema-focused therapy, mentalization-based therapy (MBT), systems training for emotional predictability and problem-solving (STEPPS), and transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP). The FDA has not yet approved a medication designed to specifically treat borderline personality disorder, but some medications may help with coexisting conditions such as anxiety and depression. Those with borderline personality disorder should work closely with their doctor to determine what treatment plan works best for them.

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