Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 5, people with personality disorders have a pattern of inner experience and behaviour that is different from the expectations of their culture. They are usually pervasive and inflexible. The characteristics usually can be seen in adolescence or in early adulthood and they often lead to distress or impairment. BPD is one of the personality disorders that I often come across and treat people in my clinical practice. People with BPD often inflict physical pain on themselves, so they do not have to deal with the emotional pain. This strategy may seem like helping them feel better in the short term, but, at times, it can be very dangerous, and it never solves the emotional problems. In therapy, we try to understand the source of these emotions, which often leads to self-realization and self actualization, and learn healthier strategies to deal with these emotions.

References:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5®). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Pub.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. (2012, February 2). "Back from the edge" - Borderline personality disorder