Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Introduction
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health disorder. Children with this condition:
Have unstable moods and relationships.
Have trouble controlling emotions.
Often engage in impulsive or reckless behavior.
Often fear being abandoned by friends or family.
Children with BPD may need treatment for other mental health issues, such as depression, an anxiety disorder, a substance abuse disorder, or an eating disorder. They may develop suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
What are the causes?
The exact cause of this condition is not known. Possible contributing factors include:
Genetic factors. These are traits that are passed down from one generation to the next. Many children with BPD have a family history of the disorder.

Experienced neglect or were separated from their parents.
Have unstable family relationships or an unstable home.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition usually start during the teen years or in early adulthood. Symptoms include:
Extreme overreactions to the possibility of being abandoned by family or friends. This may include explosive responses to seemingly minor events, such as a change of plans.
Volatile relationships with friends and relatives. This may include extreme swings from feelings of love to intense anger.
Distorted or unstable self-image, which can affect mood, relationships, and future goals or plans.
Reckless or impulsive behaviors, such as:
Shopping sprees, risky sexual behavior, substance abuse, or overeating in teens.
Breaking toys or getting angry with parents in younger children.
Self-harm, such as cutting, or thoughts of suicide.
Extreme mood swings that can last for hours or days.
Constant boredom.
Problems controlling anger. This might include frequent fighting or tantrums. This can result in shame or guilt.
Paranoid thoughts.
Losing with reality, often in order to help deal with unbearable situations (dissociation).
Losing touch with

This condition is usually treated by mental health professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, and clinical social workers. More than one type of treatment may be needed. Treatment may include therapy such as:
Psychotherapy. This may also be called talk therapy or counseling.
Cognitive behavioral therapy. This helps your child recognize and change unhealthy feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. It helps him or her find new, more positive thoughts and actions to replace the old ones.
Dialectical behavioral therapy. Through this type of treatment, your child learns to understand his or her feelings and to regulate them. This may be one-on-one treatment or part of group therapy.
Schema-focused therapy. This form of therapy helps a child with a distorted self-image to see him or herself differently. This may be one-on-one treatment or part of group therapy.
Family therapy. This treatment includes family members.
Medicine may be used to help control emotions and behavior and to treat anxiety and depression. In some cases, a hospital stay may be necessary.
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