Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): 10 Facts Everyone Should Know

Written By:

Written By:

10 Facts Borderline Personality Disorder 1

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is marked by acute emotional turmoil leading to unstable relationships, volatile sense of self, fear of abandonment, frequent mood shifts, self-destructive behavior and poor impulse control.

BPD is widely misunderstood and is usually confused with bipolar disorder. But the fact is, Borderline personality disorder is a completely different mental illness and we need to spread awareness to separate the myths from the borderline personality disorder facts.

What is borderline personality disorder?

borderline personality disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a psychiatric condition typically affects young adults and adolescents. People feel intense emotions for extended periods of time. This can result in extreme responses to stressors and feelings of abandonment. Difficulty with self-regulation along with self-harming tendencies and suicidal thoughts can also result in sufferers.

A person with BPD is extremely sensitive and may experience excessive anger, depression, stress and anxiety. Even the smallest triggers may cause intense reactions. Overwhelming emotions can make a painful experience appear inescapable. But it’s possible to recover from BPD.

Facts about borderline personality disorder

We need to understand borderline personality disorder, help the people who suffer from it and focus on the most accurate borderline personality disorder facts. Here are 10 facts about BPD that you should know.

According to the 2007 National Comorbidity Survey Replication, about 1.4% of 5,692 respondents examined met the criteria for borderline personality disorder. This statistic is way lower than any other personality disorder which was around 9% at the time.

2. BPD causes excessive mood shifts & uncertainty

BPD affects how you feel and think about yourself and others. It makes it hard to regulate your emotions and impacts your daily life negatively. The changes in mood can be so extreme that it can make you feel overwhelmed with emotions. They also experience a strong fear of abandonment and think that the people they love will leave them.

borderline personality disorder

3. Borderline personality disorder is not the same as bipolar disorder

Although both disorders share similar symptoms, but they are not the same thing. You may experience extreme mood shifts with bipolar disorder as well, but it is in a much lesser degree. Moreover, stormy personal relationships and fear of abandonment is not experienced by people with bipolar disorder.

4. BPD can exist with other mental disorders

Did you know 84.5% of people with BPD also suffer from other mental health conditions? This finding was confirmed by The National Comorbidity Survey Replication. As a result of this, it can be extremely hard to identify BPD in patients. However, experts are still trying to understand the link between BPD and other mental health conditions.

Due to lack of impulse control and intense emotions, self-harm and suicidal tendencies are prevalent among patients with BPD. According to the American Psychiatric Association, 10% of people suffering from BPD commit suicide, 70% attempt suicide, while 90% engage in self harm activities. Deep emotional suffering can lead to self-harm which may seem like a temporary yet instant relief.

borderline personality disorder

6. There may be many causes of BPD

Studies have found that there are several causes that can cause BPD in a person. It can result from a combination of neurological, environmental, genetic, and social factors. Although there isn’t any known gene that has been identified to be linked with the disorder, you will have higher probabilities to have BPD if any of your family members had it.

7. BPD can be treated fully

According to studies published in 2011 by psychiatrist Dr. John Gunderson, 85% of people with BPD experience complete symptomatic remission. Moreover, researcher Mary C. Zanarini published a book in 2018 which revealed that 60% of people with BPD had recovered by the age of 16. Although treatment and recovery may be difficult, it is definitely possible. This is undoubtedly one of the best borderline personality disorder facts.

8. Therapy is the best form of treatment for BPD

Therapy can help sufferers develop emotional regulation and offer them the skills to get better control over their emotional reactions. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) will help you cope with your emotions through mindfulness and acceptance of your emotional state. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps to recognize and regulate your behaviors and emotions and can be a great tool for treatment.

9. There are no specific medications for BPD

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), medications may not provide any prominent benefits when used as a primary treatment for the disorder. However, medications may be prescribed by psychiatrists to manage specific symptoms. Moreover, if you have co-occurring mental conditions along with BPD, like PTSD or depression, you may be prescribed medications to treat the other disorders.

The month of May has been specially granted by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008 as Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month. This enables activists and organizations to take prominent actions to promote awareness and bring about a change.

Take responsibility 

These borderline personality disorder facts can help us understand what a person with BPD actually goes through. Studies by the NIMH reveal that individuals who do not receive proper treatment for BPD may suffer from other mental or medical illnesses. Hence, distancing them may make the condition worsen. If you or your partner, family member or friend has BPD, then you need to focus on helping them getting treatment immediately. Loving someone with BPD is never easy, but only you can help them make better life choices.

Through effective therapy, a person with BPD may be able to recover and accept themselves and their feelings through self-acceptance and self-awareness.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is borderline personality disorder more common in younger siblings?

The diagnosis of borderline personality disorder was less frequent in the oldest and youngest birth cohorts, according to studies.

What are the childhood precursors of borderline personality disorder?

Childhood temperamental characteristics such as relational aggressiveness, hyperactivity, poor emotional regulation, and negative affectivity are strong indicators of BPD’s early development in children.

Is parasuicidal behavior common in people with borderline personality disorder?

The suicide rate in BPD is 10%. People with BPD experience ongoing emotional distress, which is frequently excruciating. Thus, the inclination toward parasuicide is frequently seen.

10 Borderline Personality Disorder Facts That You Must Know
10 Facts Borderline Personality Disorder Pin
 10 Facts Borderline Personality Disorder Pin
Borderline Personality Disorder BPD Facts Everyone Should Know

— Share —

Published On:

Last updated on:

,

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

Hikikomori Syndrome: A Cry for Help or a Lifestyle Choice?

Hikikomori Syndrome Warning Symptoms!

You wake up at noon, staring at the ceiling. Your phone buzzes, but you ignore it. Another day of silence. You tell yourself it’s just temporary but days turn into months, and stepping outside feels harder than ever. If this sounds familiar, you might be experiencing something known as hikikomori syndrome.

What Is Hikikomori Syndrome?

Originally a Japanese term, hikikomori describes an e

Up Next

How To Heal A Lack Of Attachment? 5 Steps To Reconnect With Yourself

Heal a Lack of Attachment Steps To Reconnect With Yourself

In today’s Best Day Blog, I’ll share some tips on how to heal from a lack of attachment.

Feeling lonely, disconnected, or misunderstood by those closest to you or, even worse, by yourself are typical experiences for those who lacked the proper attachment with their parents.

We all experience a lack of attachment

Everybody experiences detachment of varying degrees in childhood. The mistake is to believe that a lack of attachment requires some big transgression. In fact, yelling, being dismissive, sarcastic, poking fun, or withdrawing intellectually or emotionally can result in attachment wounds.

Up Next

10 Proven Tips To Overcome Instagram Reels Addiction: STOP Mindless Scrolling Today!

How To Stop Instagram Reels Addiction? Ways

You open Instagram just to check a notification, and before you know it, you’ve spent hours scrolling and watching videos. Instagram Reels addiction is a real problem for all. If it sounds familiar, you’re not alone!

These reels are designed to be addictive short, engaging, and never-ending. But if you’re spending more than 4-6 hours a day watching mindless videos, it’s time to take control.

There are many concerns regarding the impact of Instagram Reel addiction on all age groups. TikTok has been found to be dangerous for children, and it’s likely that Instagram Reels will have the same impact on young teenagers and children.

Up Next

Rewriting Your Story: Turning Set backs into Stepping Stones for Personal Growth

Turning Set backs into Stepping Stones for Personal Growth

Life is like a movie with no script

Sometimes things go off track.

A lost job.A broken heart.A dream that falls apart.

These tough spots may seem like bad chapters.But what if they are the start of your best tale?

They show hidden strengths.They have clues for your growth.Resilience means bending without breaking.

Your story is not done yet.You hold the pen.You can change the plot.

1. The Power of Perspective: Your Pain Isn’t the Whole Story

When life knocks you dow

Up Next

Why Everyone on TikTok Is Lying on the Floor—And You Should Too!

The ‘Floor Time’ Trend Is Taking Over TikTok—Here’s Why You Need to Try It!

I never thought I’d willingly spend time lying on the floor. It’s never been my go-to spot for relaxation—too hard, too cold, too uncomfortable. But lately, TikTok has been buzzing about floor time, a simple wellness trend that’s got people ditching their couches in favor of sprawling out on the ground.

The idea is exactly what it sounds like: you lie down on the floor and just be. Videos under the #floortime hashtag have racked up millions of views, with people claiming it helps them feel more grounded and calm.

At first, it might seem strange. Why choose the floor when you have a perfectly good bed? But you might change your mind after reading the benefits the new TikTok trend has to offer.

A Brief History of Flo

Up Next

Understanding Phobias: Serious Struggles, Not for Mockery

Understanding Phobias Types And Clear Solutions For It

Have you ever felt an intense fear of something others find harmless? Understanding phobias and why they shouldn’t be taken lightly. Let’s explore!

Phobias are real mental health conditions deserving empathy and care.

Key points

Phobias are intense, irrational fears that disrupt lives and are serious mental health conditions.

Mocking phobias worsens isolation and discourages sufferers from seeking professional help.

Phobias are treatable through therapies like CBT and exposure, emphasising empathy and support.

Phobias are often dismissed as quirky or humorous, b

Up Next

Mindfulness for Cravings: 3 Steps to Manage Impulsive Desires

Mindfulness for Cravings Steps to Manage Impulsive Desires

If you’ve ever struggled with cravings that seem impossible to ignore, what if I told you mindfulness can help you limit that? The concept of mindfulness for cravings is a game-changer.

Instead of fighting the urge, this practice teaches you how to stop cravings by simply observing them without acting on them. Mindfulness for cravings can help you break free from the cycle of impulsive desires and regain control over your actions.

KEY POINTS

Cravings affect all of us. But some of us find that cravings lead to compulsive behaviors and addictions.

Compulsive behaviors and addictions are costly and destructive, creating greater stress and unhealthy coping.