Borderline Personality Disorder HF#4291

Borderline Personality Disorder
 

This guide was written to help you learn about borderline personality disorder.  It will discuss current treatment options for this illness.  If you have questions about the details in this guide, talk with your doctors and nurses.

 

What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?

 

It can be a severe health concern.  People with this disorder often have problems with mood, self-image, and relationships.  Common signs and symptoms are:

• feelings of anger for no apparent reason
• identity problems
• self-destructive behaviors (mutilation, suicidal acts)
• dislike being alone; need to have other people with them
• feeling empty and being bored
• unstable, demanding, intense relationships
• impulsive acts (spending money, unsafe sex, reckless driving)
• mood changes
• feeling suspicious or being out-of-touch with reality when stressed
• having recent memory disturbances
• feeling depressed or anxious
• having trouble concentrating
• abandonment issues
• separation, loss, rejection issues

Why Do People Have This?

 

The cause is unknown.  A number of theories attempt to explain this illness.  These theories focus on:

• parent-child dynamics
• childhood abuse
• biological factors
• parental psychopathology

What Is the Treatment?

 

The choice of treatment depends upon many factors.  These factors include:

• the person's history
• current needs and interests
• resources

There are many treatment options that may be used to help.  They include: 

• individual counseling
• group, cognitive or behavioral therapy rehabilitation programs
• medicines
• crisis intervention plans
• dialectical behavioral group therapy (DBT)
• hospitalization

It may be helpful to have a copy of the treatment plan on-hand for all members of the health care team.  Patients should consider checking their safety plans in a crisis.

 

More Information

 

If you have questions, please call the UWHC Psychiatric Nursing Inpatient Unit at (608) 263-7525.

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 11/22/2010

Copyright © 11/22/2010 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#4291

Print Health Fact For You