According to the WHO, Borderline Personality disorder is defined as follows:
“Personality disorder is characterised by problems in functioning of aspects of the self (e.g., identity, self-worth, accuracy of self-view, self-direction), and/or interpersonal dysfunction (e.g., ability to develop and maintain close and mutually satisfying relationships, ability to understand others’ perspectives and to manage conflict in relationships) that have persisted over an extended period of time (e.g., 2 years or more). The disturbance is manifest in patterns of cognition, emotional experience, emotional expression, and behaviour that are maladaptive (e.g., inflexible or poorly regulated) and is manifest across a range of personal and social situations (i.e., is not limited to specific relationships or social roles). The patterns of behaviour characterizing the disturbance are not developmentally appropriate and cannot be explained primarily by social or cultural factors, including socio-political conflict. The disturbance is associated with substantial distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.”
Symptoms
Symptoms of borderline personality disorder may include:
- being extremely afraid of being abandoned
- intense, but unstable personal relationships
- a skewed view of self
- impulsive, risky, sometimes dangerous, behavior
- severe mood swings, including periods of intense, explosive anger
- self-harm
- suicidal ideation and threats
- recurring feeling of emptiness
- breaks with reality
- feelings of disassociation and/or depersonalization
Resources
GEORGE E. VAILLANT, M.D.
Abstract: In individual psychotherapy of personality disorders, patients’ uses of the less mature ego mechanisms of defense can detrimentally affect the intersubjective field. The diagnostic epithet “borderline” often reflects unconscious countertransference more than it does diagnostic precision. Psychotherapists can avoid the deleterious effects of such countertransference by being attentive to the ways their patients’ defensive styles affect the therapeutic dyad and by learning to collaborate with self-help groups. The author discusses strategies for managing in individual psychotherapy seven immature or image-distorting defense mechanisms: splitting, schizoid fantasy, hypochondriasis, projection, turning against the self acting out, and neurotic denial.
Borderline Personality Disorder “No Longer Has a Place in Clinical Practice”
Researchers from the UK and New Zealand argue that Borderline Personality Disorder should be abandoned as a diagnostic category.
By Micah Ingle, PhD –
June 9, 2023
