Borderline personality

Borderline personality disorder is characterized by mood instability and poor self-image. People with this disorder are prone to constant mood swings and bouts of anger. Often, they will take their anger out on themselves, causing injury to their own body. Suicidal threats and actions are not uncommon. Borderlines think in very black and white terms and often form intense, conflict-ridden relationships. They are quick to anger when their expectations are not met.


Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder
•Self-injury or attempted suicide
•Strong feelings of anger, anxiety, or depression that last for several hours
•Impulsive behavior
•Drug or alcohol abuse
•Feelings of low self-worth
•Unstable relationships with friends, family, and boyfriends/girlfriends

Borderline personality disorder was so-named because it was originally thought to be at the "borderline" of psychosis. The disorder is relatively common, affecting 2% of adults. Women are much more likely to suffer borderline than men. Nearly 20% of psychiatric hospitalizations are due to borderline. With treatment, patients are often able to see their symptoms improve.

Treatment involves therapy in which the patient learns to talk through his or her feelings rather than unleashing them in destructive and self-defeating ways. Medication may be helpful, and treatment of any alcohol or substance abuse issues is required. Brief hospitalization is sometimes required, especially in cases involving psychotic episodes or suicide threats or attempts.

Antisocial personality

A common misconception is that antisocial personality disorder refers to people who have poor social skills. The opposite is often the case. Instead, antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a lack of conscience. People with this disorder are prone to criminal behavior, believing that their victims are weak and deserving of being taken advantage of. Antisocials tend to lie and steal. Often, they are careless with money and take action without thinking about consequences. They are often agressive and are much more concerned with their own needs than the needs of others.

Symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder
•Disregard for the feelings of others
•Impulsive and irresponsible decision-making
•Lack of remorse for harm done to others
•Lying, stealing, other criminal behaviors
•Disregard for the safety of self and others

A majority of criminals in prison have some degree of antisocial personality disorder. Treatment is highly difficult, although the symptoms often diminish with age.

Schizotypal:

Many believe that schizotypal personality disorder represents mild schizophrenia. The disorder is characterized by odd forms of thinking and perceiving, and individuals with this disorder often seek isolation from others. They sometimes believe to have extra sensory ability or that unrelated events relate to them in some important way. They generally engage in eccentric behavior and have difficulty concentrating for long periods of time. Their speech is often over elaborate and difficult to follow.

Symptoms of Schizotypal Personality Disorder
•Odd or eccentric mannerisms or appearance
•Superstitious or preoccupied with paranormal phenomena
•Difficult to follow speech patterns
•Feelings of anxiety in social situations
•Suspiciousness and paranoia
•Odd beliefs or magical thinking
•Appears shy, aloof, or withdrawn to others

Schizoid

People with schizoid personality disorder avoid relationships and do not show much emotion. Unlike avoidants, schizoids genuinely prefer to be alone and do not secretly wish for popularity. They tend to seek jobs that require little social contact. Their social skills are often weak and they do not show a need for attention or acceptance. They are perceived by others as humorless and distant and often are termed "loners."

Symptoms of Schizoid Personality Disorder
•Weak interpersonal skills
•Difficulty expressing anger, even when provoked
•"Loner" mentality; avoidance of social situations
•Appear to others as remote, aloof, and unengaged
•Low sexual desire
•Unresponsive to praise or criticism

It is important to distinguish schizoid from avoidant. Avoidants will feel anxiety in social situations and have the desire to fit in, while schizoids simply prefer to be alone. It is occassionally difficult to distinguish between schizoid and Asperger's, as well.

This disorder is diagnosed more frequently and is often more severe among males. Schizoids usually do not seek treatment on their own and are often coaxed into it by a loved one.

Paranoid:

Paranoid personality disorder is characterized by a distrust of others and a constant suspicion that people around you have sinister motives. People with this disorder tend to have excessive trust in their own knowledge and abilities and usually avoid close relationships. They search for hidden meanings in everything and read hostile intentions into the actions of others. They are quick to challenge the loyalties of friends and loved ones and often appear cold and distant. They usually shift blame to other people and tend to carry long grudges.

Symptoms of Paranoid Personality Disorder:
•Unwillingness to forgive perceived insults
•Excessive sensitivity to setbacks
•Distrustfulness and excessive self-reliance
•Projection of blame onto others
•Consumed by anticipation of betrayal
•Combative and tenacious adherence to personal rights
•Relentlessly suspicious

Paranoid personality disorder is difficult to treat, as paranoids are often extremely suspicious of medical professionals. A combination of medication and talk therapy can be effective at combating the more debilitating symptoms of this disorder

Why is BPD so Stigmatized?

Why is BPD so Stigmatized?

People with BPD are currently the most stigmatized in the mental health system. A number of myths contribute to this problem including:

1. MYTH: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a permanent condition that cannot be treated or improve.

FACT: Research shows that people with BPD can recover with effective treatment. Recent reports state that up to 88% of people with the disorder experience significant improvement over time.

2. MYTH: People with Borderline Personality Disorder are attention seeking and manipulative.

FACT: The phrases "attention seeking" and "manipulative" imply that conscious and deliberate thought and planning is involved but most BPD behavior is not a deliberate attempt to manipulate people or get attention. It is an attempt to get needs met.

3. MYTH: People with BPD have a flawed personality.

FACT: BPD is caused by a combination of environmental and neuro-biological causes, not a personality flaw.

4. MYTH: People with Borderline Personality Disorder are dangerous to others.

FACT: People with BPD are usually self-destructive rather than a danger to others. They have high suicide rates and frequently self-harm themselves (without lethal intent).

5.MYTH: The term “Borderline Personality Disorder” is based on up-to-date research reflecting the true nature of the disorder.

FACT: The term “borderline” was developed in the early 1900’s when psychoanalysts realized that BPD did not fit into their oversimplified way of categorizing mental illness – either as neurotic or psychotic. BPD was thought to be on the “borderline”. There is currently a move to have the name changed to something similar to Emotional Processing Disorder in the next edition of the DSM.