Borderline Personality Disorder Research Paper

Suffering is an inevitable part of life that every individual is bound to experience on many different levels and for numerous causes. Many times individuals are able to move past their pain and discomfort, but what if ones pain and discomfort is not something they can control? Individuals who suffer from a mental illness called Borderline Personality Disorder often suffer physically, mentally and emotionally. According to the American Psychiatric Association Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe form of psychopathology characterized by instability of affect, impulsivity, self-harm, chaotic interpersonal relationships, and identity disturbance (Tomko, Rachel).
Borderline Personality Disorder is a very interesting mental illness.

This classification infers that the disorder is the result of permanent personality traits and requires continuous treatment. The personality disorder did not appear until the manual’s third edition in 1980. Over the years, the term borderline has come to refer to a collection of symptoms that create an unstable personality arrangement which a person can have (Ogden, Janine). The term borderline personality disorder was coined in 1938 by Adolph Stern (Hebblethwaite, Caroline) and is used to refer to individuals that displayed behaviors that fall on the “borderline” or margins between neurosis and psychosis; meaning one can experience symptoms of neurosis, such as feelings of anxiety, obsessional thoughts, compulsive acts, and physical complaints without tangible evidence of disease, in various degrees and patterns which dominate the personality. An individual will also experience psychosis symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations that indicate flawed contact with reality. According to my research, Axis I disorders such as anxiety or depression, coincide with BPD. It is estimated that more than 90 percent of those with BPD also meet the criteria for depression. Other Axis II personality disorders are also associated with this disorder, such as antisocial personality disorder (APSD), histrionic personality disorder (HPD),

Many researchers have concluded that BPD can be hereditary, and the influences of biology and environmental practices can contribute to the development and intensity of symptoms of this disorder (Hebblethwaite, Caroline). Meaning, an individual can be born with distinctive personality or temperamental traits due to the way their brain is “wired,” and these traits or characteristics are further molded by the persons environment and cultural experiences and possibly by family and friends. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) there are “no specific gene has been shown to directly cause BPD” but a number of different genes and some hormones have been identified to strengthen the development of BPD, “a number of hormones (including oxytocin) and signaling molecules within the brain (e.g., neurotransmitters including serotonin) have been shown to potentially play a role in BPD”. They also state that MRI testing has concluded that brain functionality is often different in people with BPD, therefore suggesting that there is a neurological aspect playing a role. Researchers have found differences in certain areas of the brain that might explain impulsive behavior, emotional instability and the way people perceive events. As well, twin and family history studies have shown a genetic influence, with higher rates of BPD and/or other related mental health disorders among close family members.