Hi friends,
We all have a certain nature, a certain personality that defines us. Some of us like to be disciplined and work by the clock, while others among us like to be carefree and go with the stream. Some of us don't want to lose any time and are always working hard, while others have plenty of time and are looking for ways to pass time! All these features about an individual define his/ her personality. Therefore, personality represents one's characteristic ways of thinking, feeling, behaving and reacting to the environment.
Sometimes though, these personality features may become excessively rigid or otherwise abnormal - a state called personality disorder. For example if I am excessively disciplined, want everybody else to comply with my ways of living and frown upon others who are not disciplined, work excessively to the exclusion of pleasurable activities, then I have a personality disorder. Please note that being disciplined is good and adaptive, but being excessively so is not! The former is an asset whereas the latter is a disorder!
PERSONALITY DISORDERS ARE EXTREMELY COMMON AND MANY OF US MIGHT HAVE SOME TRAITS OF A PERSONALITY DISORDER !!
There are many different kinds of personality disorders - borderline personality is one of them. So let us discuss what are its essential features.
Although not a severe mental disorder, borderline personality disorder is common and associated with considerable problems for the person himself and his friends, relatives, colleagues and employers.
Persons with a borderline personality typically have frequent mood swings. they may be delighted by small pieces of good news and may react adversely to minor setbacks. In other words, their mood changes to life situations tends to be accentuated and prolonged. They are usually very outgoing, like trying out adventurous things - depending upon cultural and economic background, they might indulge in adventure sports, be fond of riding at high speeds or experiment with drugs. They are also easily bored and are on constant lookout for new things. They are known for emotional outbursts and stormy relationships. Typically, they establish friendship or romantic relationship rather easily but also end it rather dramatically. Their distress, many a time, leads them to engage in self harm attempts like cutting ones own wrist or overdosing medicines. These are typically done impulsively and might be regretted later. Some persons with this personality have a feeling of emptiness inside, and are not clear of their own identity and sometimes sexuality. The emptiness in particular is an extremely distressing feeling that is often difficult to describe.
Although certain medicines can be of some help, the mainstay of treatment of borderline personality is psychotherapy or counseling. A specialized form of therapy known as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy is the treatment of choice. It involves understanding oneself and analyzing one's dysfunctional reactions and correcting it under therapist guidance.
So that was about borderline personality friends. If your friend/ loved one has these traits, urge them to seek professional help, as they may be suffering needlessly.
Although not a severe mental disorder, borderline personality disorder is common and associated with considerable problems for the person himself and his friends, relatives, colleagues and employers.
Persons with a borderline personality typically have frequent mood swings. they may be delighted by small pieces of good news and may react adversely to minor setbacks. In other words, their mood changes to life situations tends to be accentuated and prolonged. They are usually very outgoing, like trying out adventurous things - depending upon cultural and economic background, they might indulge in adventure sports, be fond of riding at high speeds or experiment with drugs. They are also easily bored and are on constant lookout for new things. They are known for emotional outbursts and stormy relationships. Typically, they establish friendship or romantic relationship rather easily but also end it rather dramatically. Their distress, many a time, leads them to engage in self harm attempts like cutting ones own wrist or overdosing medicines. These are typically done impulsively and might be regretted later. Some persons with this personality have a feeling of emptiness inside, and are not clear of their own identity and sometimes sexuality. The emptiness in particular is an extremely distressing feeling that is often difficult to describe.
So what are the solutions?
Although certain medicines can be of some help, the mainstay of treatment of borderline personality is psychotherapy or counseling. A specialized form of therapy known as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy is the treatment of choice. It involves understanding oneself and analyzing one's dysfunctional reactions and correcting it under therapist guidance.
So that was about borderline personality friends. If your friend/ loved one has these traits, urge them to seek professional help, as they may be suffering needlessly.
Please let me know if there is any specific issue that you want me to address. Write in at stayhappy.prakash@gmail.com
So until next time, STAY HAPPY!
Dr. Sathya Prakash, MD, Dip. CBT
Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist and Behavioural Sciences Expert
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