A Most Misunderstood Illness

There is perhaps no serious mental illness more maligned and misconstrued than borderline personality disorder.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex and challenging illness. A disorder that is often prompted by and occurs in the context of relationships, BPD can wreak havoc not only on those with the disorder but on their loved ones as well. The symptoms of the disorder are: 1. fears of abandonment; 2. intense mood shifts; 3. impulsivity; 4. problems with anger; 5. recurrent suicidal behaviours or self-injurious behaviours; and 6. patterns of unstable and intense relationships. The symptoms are pervasive, encompassing five areas of dysregulation: emotion dysregulation, behavioural dysregulation, cognitive dysregulation, interpersonal dysregulation and self dysregulation. Those afflicted with borderline symptoms very often experience sudden shifts in moods and emotions that frequently leave both the individual with BPD and those close to them in their environment in a state of intense disruption. To meet official DSM- IV criteria for the disorder, a person must have at least five of the nine symptoms. Needless to say, experiencing even a few of the behaviours can create a life of pain and suffering.

Borderline personality disorder, historically and even presently, is a disorder that often meets with widespread misunderstanding. If you think it is tough living with someone with BPD, then, all I can say is consider being the one living with BPD.

Over the past decade, various groups have formed to help move the BPD agenda forward and to bring hope to individuals with BPD and their family members. First, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has worked intensively to focus on BPD research and to promote areas of support, education and advocacy.

So there is progress! And let us hope that this will help to bring about a change in attitudes and an end to the ignorance and stigma associated with this diagnosis.