Guide to the Early Signs of Borderline Personality Disorder

What is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?

BPD is a type of ‘personality disorder.’

People suffering from this illness often find it difficult to manage their own emotions.

They sometimes experience emotions at an intense level. Ranging from; deep sadness, to manic euphoria or uncontrollable anger.

This emotional inconsistency as well as intensity of feelings, makes it very difficult for people struggling with BPD to maintain healthy relationships with other people.

And patients can also have problems with:

• misusing alcohol and prescription or illegal drugs
• self-harming and suicidal thoughts
• staying at work or maintaining a home
• coping with stress

Coping with emotions is difficult for those with BPD.

They struggle to understand other people’s feelings. This often doesn’t allow them to maintain long term relationships. Leaving them feeling isolated and abandoned.

This loneliness can cause depression and an intense need to bond with somebody.

A desperation to feel loved and understood, may lead to dangerous behaviours. Causing potential harm to the people involved.

Recently, BPD has been renamed to Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) as some believe it describes the disorder better.

Some patients found the original name offensive and labelling. It’s important to remember that the name is used to describe the disorder, not the patient. It was originally referred to as ‘borderline’ in order to characterise the state of being on the border of neurosis and psychosis.

What are the early signs of BPD?

If you think you might be struggling with the disorder, you should see your GP as soon as you can.

Here are some common warning signs of the disorder:

• unstable relationships with others
• confused feeling about who you are
• self-harming, suicidal thoughts or behaviour
• extreme emotional reaction to feeling abandoned
• long lasting feeling of emptiness or being isolated, lonely, abandoned
• impulsive and often damaging behaviour
• difficulty controlling your anger
• intense emotions and often mood-swings
• experiencing paranoid thoughts when in stressful situation

If you experience any of these symptoms seek help immediately.

Try not to self-diagnose

A doctor will help determine your condition. There are many treatments available, ranging from therapy to medication.

Any of the symptoms alone can cause you a great deal of distress, so it is important to talk to a doctor.

They will help you understand your condition better and find a solution to your problem. This way you will be able to feel better and have tools necessary to take care of your mental health.