A borderline personality disorder is a mental illness that influences how people perceive and feel about themselves and others. This disorder causes numerous functioning problems in life that are accompanied by an intense fear of instability or abandonment. BPD is grouped by a pattern of progressive instability of self-image, functioning, behaviors, and mood swings. The above-mentioned behaviors can result in impulsiveness and unstable relationship. Some of the typical symptoms of BPD include episodes of anxiety, inappropriate anger, and depression. However, these episodes may last for a few hours or days depending on the person and the situation. Additionally, this disorder is associated with escalated suicidal behaviors as well as self-harm rated.
Apart from being associated with a high rate of suicidal behaviors and self-harm, BPD commonly starts in early childhood. The peak of the disorder is in early childhood and gradually improves with age. In most cases, the disorder is diagnosed in adults but not in children or teenagers. Even if symptoms can be identified in childhood, they highly improve with maturity. As much as numerous researches have been conducted, the causes of the BPD are not completely known (Barlow & Durand, 2011). However, there are various factors that studies have identified as a possible cause of BPD. Hereditary predisposition, brain abnormalities, stressful childhood, as well as other individual traits, are significant factors of risk.
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Although a particular gene has not been connected to BPD, several studies have connected BPD as an inherited mental disorder. If a close family member has the disorder, someone is likely to experience the disorder. A person from this family is five times more likely to have a first-degree relative with BDP. Another risk factor that contributes to BPD is a stressful childhood. Many individuals with the disorder report being physically or sexually abused or neglected during childhood. More so, individuals that lost or were separated from close caregivers or parents when young or had parents with other mental health issues tend to experience BPD. Brain abnormalities are another risk factor that contributes to BPD. Studies indicate that various changes that occur in the brain are involved with impulsivity, aggression and regulation of emotion. Brain abnormalities may also result from irregular functioning of brain chemicals that regulate mood such as serotonin.
Borderline personality disorders are diagnosed based on a comprehensive physician interview, medical exam, or history or psychological evaluation that involves completing questionnaires. The borderline personality disorder diagnosis is usually made in adults because the signs and symptoms of BPD fade as the child gets older and becomes mature. BDP is majorly treated utilizing psychotherapy but medication may be added. Psychotherapy assists a person to concentrate on his or her ability to function, learn to administer emotions that make a person feel uncomfortable and further minimize impulsiveness by assisting a person to observe feelings instead of acting on them. The types of psychotherapy used in the treatment of BPD include dialectical behavior therapy, schema-focused therapy, mentalization-based therapy, and systems training for emotional predictability and problem-solving (STEPPS).
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociative identity disorder notably known as Multiple Personality Disorder is a dissociation disorder from one’s memories, thoughts, identity, and feelings. According to studies, dissociative identity disorder occurs as a result of severe and extended childhood trauma that usually happens at the age of around 9 years (Barlow & Durand, 2011). In some cases, this disorder is experienced by children that have been in areas of war. This disorder makes the mind of a person to adjust to the traumatic events by developing various personalities that can handle the trauma they are experiencing.
There are various causes of dissociative identity disorder. One of the profound causes of the disorder is emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. If an individual experiences trauma for a sustainable period, he or she may lose a sense of identity to avoid physical, mental, and emotional distress that may result from the trauma. Apart from emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, traumatic accidents cause the disorder. A highly graphic accident can lead to identity dissociation, particularly when he or she feels some level of culpability for the accident. Wars, natural disasters, loss of loved ones are also causes of dissociative identity disorder.
Destructive storms, floods as well as volcanoes, and earthquakes are natural disasters that result to increased loss of life. There are various signs and symptoms of dissociative identity disorder. These symptoms include a sense of being detached from yourself, a blurred sense of identity, memory loss and perceiving people and things around you as unreal and distorted. In addition, dissociative stress disorder symptoms include significant problems and stress in relationships, inability to cope with professional or emotional stress, and increased mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
Dissociative identity disorder diagnosis involves symptoms examination and further rules out conditions that cause the symptoms. First and foremost, a person with the disorder is referred to mental health professional for evaluation. The physician conducts a physical examination by asking patients questions, personal history and symptoms. This examination removes physical conditions such as brain diseases, head injury, and intoxication. Besides, a psychiatric examination is also done. In this case, the mental health professional asks questions about feelings, behavior, and thoughts. Psychotherapy is the main dissociative identity disorder treatment. Psychotherapy majorly involves talking to the patient about the disorder. The therapist then assists a person with the disorder to understand the disorder and create new ways to cope with these stressful situations.
Reference
Barlow, D., & Durand, V. (2011). Abnormal psychology: An integrative approach. Nelson Education.
