Find out if you have Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder is characterized by a persistent pattern of emotional instability and dysfunctional behaviors that lead to difficulties in daily life and interpersonal relationships. People with this disorder experience abrupt changes in their interests, tend to interpret situations in extreme ways, and their perceptions of others vary without warning. They may alternate rapidly between states of euphoria and sadness, exhibit episodes of anger, self-harm, show a low tolerance for loneliness, and have a propensity to use addictive substances, among other behaviors.

Perhaps in recent times you have noticed that you feel unbalanced at all times, you never feel inner peace and everything gets out of control. Surely it is the perfect time for you to reflect and find out if you have Borderline Personality Disorder.

Below, the American Psychiatric Association offers guidelines for understanding this problem

How to know if you have Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a significant and debilitating psychiatric condition that impacts about 2% of the general adult population. This disorder is distinguished by the presence of four categories of symptoms: marked impulsivity, emotional fluctuations, difficulties in interpersonal relationships and identity dysfunction.

People suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder experience marked fluctuations in their emotional state, which can range from normal to depressed to excited. These individuals go through phases of despondency and apathy, interspersed with episodes of intense and inappropriate anger, as well as brief moments of anxiety and euphoria.

They yearn to bond with others, especially a partner, seeking a connection that they perceive as magical, emotionally supportive and fulfilling their needs. They look for someone to offer them protection and security. At the beginning of a relationship, they often feel deeply involved, idealizing their partner and placing them on a pedestal, considering them the best person they have ever known. This idealization makes them feel special, as they believe they are the object of someone's perfect love. They do not tolerate distance and require the constant presence of their partner, who becomes an essential figure in their lives.

The partner becomes an indispensable element, and these people are constantly on the lookout for signs that indicate possible abandonment. What for others may be insignificant, for those who suffer from this disorder represents a deep fear of being abandoned; certain behaviors can be interpreted as indications that their partner has stopped loving them. For example, a simple statement such as “I will eat at the office today” may be understood as a rejection, suggesting that they prefer the company of their colleagues rather than sharing a meal with them.

They cannot stand to be alone

When alone, even for short periods, they experience a profound sense of emptiness and isolation. This situation can lead them to self-harm, either through cuts or burns, as a result of the negative perception they have of themselves or as a means of impacting others and exerting control over them. They feel helpless and consequently abandon themselves. Self-injury also acts as a mechanism to release the intense emotional pain they experience, which often includes feelings of emptiness, shame, anger, sadness and abandonment.

Suicidal ideation, as well as actual suicide attempts, may be used as a way to seek attention and care from others or as an avenue to express anger or resentment. They experience abrupt changes in their perception of others, alternating between seeing someone as loving and caring, and then viewing them as neglectful or treacherous. This transition from love to hate occurs easily. They may idealize a person, considering them the best in the world, or devalue them, treating them as if they were evil, suggesting a dichotomous view of interpersonal relationships.

They make desperate efforts to avoid abandonment, including suicide attempts, not realizing that this strategy tends to further alienate them from others. Experiencing anxiety, depression, and feelings of guilt and inferiority, they may engage in self-destructive behaviors, leading to a state of personal abandonment and drug use. Some go so far as to mutilate themselves by cutting or burning. They try to fill the emptiness that characterizes them, especially in times of loneliness, through impulsive behaviors such as binge eating followed by vomiting, indiscriminate sexual activity, compulsive shopping, excessive alcohol consumption or substance abuse. Their goals and values fluctuate drastically due to the lack of a solid sense of identity.

How to support someone during treatment

Borderline Personality Disorder is highly treatable, although it is common for people with Borderline Personality Disorder to avoid seeking treatment or not recognize that they have a problem. Even if your loved one is in this situation, you can offer support, improve communication and set boundaries, while encouraging him or her to seek professional help.

While pharmacological options are limited, the guidance of a qualified therapist can be critical in your loved one's recovery process. Targeted therapies for BPD, such as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and schema-focused therapy, can be helpful for your loved one to address his or her difficulties with relationships and trust, as well as to explore new coping strategies. During therapy, you can learn how to manage the emotional storm and find healthy ways to calm down.

Encourage the sufferer to explore healthy ways to manage stress and emotions by practicing mindfulness and using relaxation techniques such as yoga, deep breathing or meditation. Sensory stimulation can also help you relieve stress in the moment. You can participate in any of these therapies with the person suffering from this disorder, which can strengthen your bond and encourage him/her to pursue other avenues of treatment as well.