Around 1 in 100 people in the UK have Borderline Personality Disorder. BPD is the most common type of personality disorder with a prevalence rate of 0.7 to 2% of the general population. In this era of busy lifestyles marred with hectic work schedules and demanding relationships, there is a need to focus on utilizing effective treatment modalities for Borderline Personality Disorder. One of the most efficient treatment approaches is the use of psychological therapies, particularly DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy).
We are devoted to providing the best psychological care that is straightforward and accessible. We aim to deliver expert psychological support that makes a real positive difference. The following case study navigates BPD and its symptoms.
X is a teenager who lives with her family in London. She starts crying whenever her mum and elder brother leave for work. She does not want to be separated from them and fears that something bad might happen to them in her absence. Then when they come back, she starts jumping about in a happy mood. She laughs loudly and feels extremely glad. Her mother gives her dinner, but she starts yelling at her as she "does not want to have that dish!" She does not make many friends as she feels lonely when with her peers. In school, teachers complain that she looks lost in between lectures and seems to be daydreaming. She becomes aggressive and loses her temper when she is probed by classmates. She indulges in self-harm and uses knives and other sharp objects to hurt herself. She compares herself with other children in the class and thinks that she is not good enough. She criticizes herself frequently. She often engages in fights with her brother. They do not have a good relationship.
X may be exhibiting some emerging symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder. This diagnosis cannot be made under the age of 18 as the personality undergoes changes in the first 18 years of life.
Diagnostic Criteria
According to the DSM-5, the presence of Borderline Personality Disorder can be determined if the individual has five out of the following nine symptoms:
Intense fear of abandonment
Unstable interpersonal relationships
Identity disturbance
Impulsivity in at least two self-damaging areas
Emotional instability
Feelings of emptiness
Unstable self image
Inappropriate and intense anger
Suicidal and self-harming behaviour
Paranoid ideation
Symptoms
The symptoms of BPD emerge in early adulthood. People with BPD have the desire to build effective loving relationships but are bothered by the constant fear of abandonment. This leads to a prevalence of mood swings and anger. They sometimes exhibit extreme emotions and act in situations without thinking about the other aspects. BPD has a damaging impact on school, job, relationships, and the way that one perceives oneself. People with BPD often tend to have other mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.
Treatment Methodology
The symptoms of BPD can be managed effectively. There are various treatment methodologies for Borderline Personality Disorder. They have been found to be helpful in the long run and can be conducted at an individual and group level. There are many kinds of talking therapies, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
A type of talking therapy employed to treat BPD is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy was developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan in the early 1990s with the aim of reducing the symptoms of BPD. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy is instrumental in minimising psychiatric hospitalisation, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation in patients with BPD. Research has shown that it is one of the most efficient treatments for Borderline Personality Disorders, considering the success rates.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy comprises group training, individual psychotherapy, and coaching. There are key sets of coping skills incorporated by practicing DBT. These include mindfulness skills, interpersonal effectiveness skills, distress tolerance skills, and emotion regulation skills.
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Employing the skills of mindfulness aids in focusing on being in the present moment.
It would enable people with BPD to introspect and not react to situations quickly.
Practicing mindfulness exercises can enable people to take control of their physiology and build a sense of stability in the mind and body.
Interpersonal effectiveness skills help to effectively interact with other people and
iInitiate conflict resolution. Incorporating interpersonal effectiveness skills enables people to build productive relationships, focus on priorities, and maintain healthy boundaries.
Distress tolerance skills teach clients diagnosed with BPD to resort to healthy coping mechanisms instead of engaging in risky behaviors like self-harm, substance abuse, and others. Often, people with borderline personality disorder react very intensely to situations. Incorporating these skills enables people to react to situations in a calm and composed manner.
Emotion regulation skills entail acquiring knowledge of positive methods for managing challenging circumstances. This includes reshaping individuals' thought processes to enable them to communicate effectively. City Psychological Services, situated in central London, offers treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder. We are dedicated to delivering outstanding psychological care and tailored support at the right time.
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