Borderline Personality Disorder is a serious psychological condition that generally manifests itself in early adulthood. The disease is characterized by difficulty controlling emotions and rapid mood swings. Borderline personality is often the result of childhood trauma or brain dysfunction. Learn identify the symptoms of borderline personality in order to get you or your loved one the help needed to treat this disease.
Instructions
1. Observe the person you suspect of having a borderline personality. Be aware of rapid mood swings and short but intense episodes of anger, depression and anxiety. Whereas those suffering from depression and bipolar disorder may have similar mood swings, they tend to last for weeks at a time. Those with borderline personality suffer from intense mood swings that last from a few hours to, at most, a day.
2. Be on the lookout for impulsive behaviors, such as binge eating, excessive spending, sexual promiscuity, drug and alcohol abuse, gambling, self-harming and reckless driving. All of these are signs of borderline personality disorder.
3. Look for signs of insecurity and poor self image. People with borderline personality often are insecure and have poor self-esteem, which can often lead to instability in jobs, relationships and goals, such as switching jobs frequently or jumping in and out of relationships quickly.
4. Be aware of instability in personal relationships. People with borderline personality tend to have love-hate relationships with families, friends and peers. They may form instant attachments and idealize a new friend or lover, only to completely dismiss the person if some conflict should arise. Their intense fear of abandonment results in behavior that quickly turns from clingy to almost violent. Those suffering from borderline personality are intensely affected by separation, be it a vacation or quick change of plans.
5. Look for suicidal thoughts, threats and behaviors. Because borderline personality results in emotional instability, insecurity and fear of being alone, those who suffer from it often threaten or attempt suicide. Take any and all suicidal threats or comments seriously and ask for outside assistance.
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