Living With a Borderline Personality Disorder Diagnosis

Living With a Borderline Personality Disorder Diagnosis BPD Living With BPD Print Living With a Borderline Personality Disorder Diagnosis By Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University. Learn about our editorial policy Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD on January 23, 2020 twitter linkedin Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Medical Review Board Daniel B. Block, MD on January 23, 2020 JGI/Jamie Grill / Getty Images More in BPD Living With BPD Diagnosis Treatment Related Conditions Like many examples of borderline personality  disorder  (BPD), the example presented here is fictionalized. Jordan is not an actual person, and any resemblance between this fictional person and any actual person is coincidental. The symptoms and behaviors described, however, are very typical of a person with BPD. Infancy Even when Jordan was a tiny infant, there was something very different about her. She reacted intensely to most things. She was easily upset, she didnt adjust easily to new people  or places, and she was hard to comfort. But she was just a baby; it seemed too soon to become concerned. Her parents assumed that all babies are different  and that this behavior of Jordans was just a phase shed grow out of. Childhood Behavior As Jordan got older, she didnt grow out of her phase. She continued to be easily upset and hard to comfort, and she had very severe separation anxiety. If her mother left the room, Jordan would scream until she returned. Still, her parents werent too concerned. Theyd heard that separation anxiety is pretty typical in young children, and Jordan had so many sweet qualities. At times, she could be the most loving child. They often had really wonderful times together. The Teenage Years Things started to change when Jordan hit her early teens. There were fewer and fewer good times. She became increasingly sullen and angry. She started acting out more and moreâ€"yelling at her parents and teachers and engaging in impulsive behaviors, like running away from home. Sometimes, for a while, Jordan would have a close friend or two at school, but they werent friends for long. Conflicts  always occurred,  and the friendships would end. Jordan talked about how alone and bored she felt, how no one understood her. Her parents were starting to become concerned about her, but what if the way Jordan was acting was just typical adolescent behavior? They werent yet ready to seek help. By the time Jordan turned 17, her home life was starting to get seriously out of control. She experienced severe  emotional instability, her mood changes were totally unpredictable, and she could switch moods from one minute to the next. She was fighting with her parents almost daily, usually yelling and throwing things. At times she seemed terrified to be without her mother; at other times she would leave the house in a fit of intense rage and not return for days. One day, her mom noticed scars on Jordans arms. When her mother first confronted Jordan about them, Jordan told her the cat had scratched her. But then she admitted that she was self-harming, cutting herself because she felt so lonely and bored and this was the only thing that makes me feel better. Now her parents knew: They needed to  find help  for Jordan. A Misdiagnosis Jordans parents were able to find a psychiatrist in their area who accepted their family health insurance and they brought Jordan to see her. The psychiatrist spent time talking to Jordan and asking her and her parents about her symptoms. Based on this brief assessment, the psychiatrist diagnosed Jordan with bipolar disorder  and prescribed a mood-stabilizing medication. The new medication seemed to help, and Jordan and her parents were hopeful that things were getting better. Wanting  to understand her disorder  better and get information on helping her recover, Jordans parents read about bipolar disorder. What they read, however, didnt always fit their daughters symptoms. For example, Jordans moods seemed to change quickly and often,  whereas the mood changes in bipolar disorder were described as infrequent. A Correct Diagnosis One day, while still being treated for bipolar disorder, Jordan went online and stumbled on a description of borderline personality disorder (BPD). As she read about the symptoms of BPD, she realized that, for the first time, someone else seemed to understand what was going on inside her head. She called her mom and read her the page she had found. Her mother agreed with Jordanâ€"it looked as though they might finally have an answer. Jordans mother found internet resources that led her to a list of experts in BPD in their area. They made an appointment with a psychiatrist, who met with Jordan several times. After their third meeting, the new psychiatrist confirmed that Jordan met the diagnostic criteria for BPD.  The psychiatrist then explained the treatment options  that were available, including medications and psychotherapy. Gradually Regaining Control At 23, Jordan still has many symptoms of BPD. However, treatment with a combination of medication and dialectical behavior therapy  (DBT) has markedly reduced her symptoms. She no longer harms herself, shes working part-time, and she has several close friends. Jordan still has times when she feels overwhelmed and has problems with anger and relationships. Fortunately, shes learning coping skills that can help her get back in control and manage those symptoms when they occur. Summing Up Jordans case is only one of many examples of borderline personality disorder, which varies widely among the people who have it. For example: Some people with BPD have supportive families, like Jordans, while others grow up in traumatizing environments (a life experience thats linked to the development of BPD symptoms).Some, like Jordan, start showing signs of BPD in early adolescence, while others dont have any symptoms until they are  in their  late teens.Not everyone with BPD responds as well to treatment as Jordan did, although many do. The 9 Best Online Therapy Programs