| What is Borderline Personality Disorder? |
| Written by John Potter | |
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Are you suffering from borderline personality disorder? Do you have a friend or family member that might have the mental illness? If your answer is yes to either one of these questions, you are not alone. In addition, you are not without hope. The biggest step is recognizing the problem so help can be sought.
Unfortunately, a person with the disorder has to acknowledge he/she has a problem. Many people are unwilling to accept the fact that they are out of sync with the rest of society. In fact, they probably think the opposite is true. According to an article published by the Mayo Clinic: “with borderline personality disorder your image of yourself is distorted, making you feel worthless and fundamentally flawed. Your anger, impulsivity and frequent mood swings may push others away, even though you yearn for loving relationships”. Fortunately, there are health care providers that are becoming more familiar with the mental disorder. Treatments are available. Many people can get better over time and learn to live a relatively normal and peaceful existence. Signs of Personality DisorderPeople who suffer from a personality problems mainly have trouble dealing with their relationships. On minute, you may be the most wonderful individual on the planet; the next minute, they may be extremely angry with you, and you have no idea why. To them, everything is black or white. Either they love you, or they hate you. No in between exists. The Mayo Clinic has also published this list of symptoms:
Diagnosing Personality DisorderDiagnosing personality disorder can be very difficult. The first challenge is to convince someone that they should be tested. If they think the rest of the world is out of order, and they are the only really sane person, it can be an almost impossible task. Also, it is rarely diagnosed in children, because the symptoms often dissipate in adulthood.But, medical professionals do have a book of strict guidelines to consider, if they suspect a mental disorder or illness. According to the American Psychiatric Association at least five of the following symptoms must be present at the same time:
Help for Personality DisorderIn truth, if you or someone you love is lucky, they will recognize a problem exists. Some people do figure out that they are totally unhappy, and that other people manage to maintain relationships, keep jobs, and not be upset all of the time. If this happens, it is time to seek professional help. Unfortunately, if this state of enlightenment is not reached, you cannot force someone to get the help they do not think they need.Why Help is so ImportantPeople with borderline personality disorder definitely need help. Life does not provide a pleasant existence. Divorce and broken relationships are quite common. The ability to sustain a job can be very difficult. Dealing with coworkers, bosses, or subordinates can often result in job loss. Depression is common. Individuals are more likely to hurt themselves or even commit suicide. It is estimated that 10-15 percent of this segment of the population takes their own lives.HopePeople with this disorder often feel like there is no hope for them or their world. However, if you have the disorder there are some things you can do at home to ensure that life can be more pleasant:
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