Borderline Personality Disorder Concept: Theory and Practice

This assignment explains the theory behind Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and offers practical advice for helping those who have been diagnosed with it. BPD is characterized by difficulties in regulating emotions, managing impulsivity, and forming stable relationships. It is a mental health condition that can cause distress due to its wide-ranging symptoms.

The concept of BPD comes from psychoanalytic theory, which states that an individual’s behavior stems from inner conflicts between conscious and unconscious desires. In this view, individuals with BPD struggle to express their feelings in healthy ways due to unresolved psychological issues or traumas experienced in childhood. These inner conflicts manifest as intense fear of abandonment and difficulty controlling emotions, leading to impulsive behaviors such as self-harm or substance abuse.

In practice, BPD is typically treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is one type of psychotherapy that has been shown to be particularly effective in helping individuals with BPD manage their emotions and behaviors. Medication may also be prescribed to help alleviate symptoms such as depression or anxiety.

It’s important for clinicians working with those diagnosed with BPD to remain patient and non-judgemental, as there can be a tendency for people with the disorder to feel ashamed about their behavior or impulses. It is also important to create an environment where it is safe for the person to discuss their feelings and experiences without feeling judged or criticized. Working collaboratively with the individual to create a plan for managing symptoms can be beneficial in helping them find relief from their distress.

A person suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder has a problem in self-identity the person feels that he does not understand himself and other people can easily manipulate him. He also tends to experience intense emotions especially anger, sadness and fear. It is important for clinicians to identify the core issues that are causing emotional turmoil for the person with BPD and provide an understanding and supportive environment where the individual can express their feelings without judgement or criticism. Additionally, it is useful to gradually expose them to situations that may trigger their symptoms in order to help them learn healthy coping strategies.