The article focuses on borderline personality disorder (BPD) and how it influences adolescents. According to the author in the article, it is a severe mental health condition commonly associated with functional impairment and suicidal ideation. BPD is vital in mental health nursing due to its association with a host of other psychiatric and personality disorders. It is also relevant to nursing based on its burden and toll on the caregivers and the family members who will need to contend with the high cost of treatment. As the condition has been narrowed to a specific adolescent population, the nurses have a vital role approach the disorder using a cross-sectional fashion by assessing the prevalence and diagnosis.
BPD is a severe mental health disorder characterized by instability in impulse control, affect regulation, self-image, and interpersonal relationship. Statistics have shown that approximately 1.4% of the young population will be diagnosed with the disease by the age of 16. The prevalence rises to about 3.2% by the age of 22 years. BPD is a significant disorder in adolescents with an approximate prevalence of about 11% in psychiatric outpatients. Clinical studies have shown that the disorder is more common in females compared to their male counterparts with a ratio of about 3:1 (Kaess, Brunner, & Chanen, 2014).
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According to the article, BPD is regarded as a life-span developmental disorder. Adolescents with BPD have an impaired functioning that primarily affects their behaviors including social functioning and poor academic performance. The disease is considered to be moderately heritable, but research has failed to establish the particular genes responsible for the condition. The disease is also characterized by self-harm that could include suicidal ideation leading to cases of suicides among the victims. Although the disease is as a result of an interplay between factors in the brain, research has outlined significant environmental implications. A family that originates from a low socioeconomic status has a high prevalence of infection with the disorder.
The article has a plethora of information that could be used and applied in clinical practice. It provides diagnostic criteria for BPD and most importantly, the treatment rationale. For instance, the author states, "Individual psychotherapy is a key component of early detection for BPD in addition to the underpinning service delivery methods” (Kaess et al., 2014). It, therefore, helps nurses and professionals in psychiatry with a method of detecting the disorder and formulation strategies towards its treatment. The article also suggests cognitive analytic therapy as a possible treatment thereby assisting nurses and other health practitioners on the best possible way of dealing with the health concern.
The strengths of the article include the discussion of the etiology of the disease including the diagnosis and treatment. It highlights and focuses on BPD on a narrowed population thereby contributing to the scientific field. The fact that it is peer-reviewed builds on its credibility. However, the article should have employed a research model in a bid to emphasize the relevance of the information in a clinical context. Despite the slight issue, I would still recommend the article to other colleagues because it has virtually covered all the aspects related to the illness.
In conclusion, BPD is a severe mental health condition commonly associated with functional impairment and suicidal ideation. It is a significant problem not only to the patients but also the rest of families and the caregivers. It has been implicated in self-harm and other social problems including academic deficiencies. However, through medication and psychotherapy, the disease can be managed. The secret to treatment revolves around early detection. The article is not only relevant but also credible and could inform nursing practice in the psychiatric department.
Reference
Kaess, M., Brunner, R., & Chanen, A. (2014). Borderline personality disorder in adolescence. Pediatrics, 134(4), 782-793.
