Most of us, at some point in our lives, will have felt a little lost, or numb. Unsure of
who we are. But for those with BPD, this sense of instability persists throughout
their life – in their relationships, their behaviour, their thinking, and even their own
identity. Here we delve into the truth about BPD, and those experiencing itWriting | Hattie GladwellSIX BORDERLINE PERSONALITY
DISORDER MYTHS DEBUNKED
W
e all know the
battle we’re fighting
against the stigma
around mental
illnesses. Gradually,
understanding is growing that they
are just that – illnesses. We don’t
control or choose to have them,
and while it’s scary to reach out
and accept help, it’s something that
can help us to manage them in the
long-run.
But then we have personality
disorders. Illnesses, just like the
rest, and yet for those diagnosed,
the very nature of the name
means that misinterpretations are
easily made, and it can feel like a
person’s character is under attack.
The stigma for these is still all
too real, and one such condition
you may have heard of, but don’t
truly understand, is borderline
personality disorder (BPD).
Also known more recently as
emotionally unstable personality
disorder, BPD often emerges
during adolescence, and continues
into adulthood. This means it can
be incredibly difficult to recognise,
given it’s a typically emotionally
tricky time for teenagers anyway,thing to do is speak to your GP
first, describing your symptoms
and how you feel, in order to
move forward with getting help
and clarity.
With so much stigma around the
condition, which might prevent
people from speaking out and
reaching help, it’s essential we
break down the misconceptions
and uncover the truth about BPD.
And so, here’s the truth behind six
common myths about borderline
personality disorder: >>>with lots of hormonal changes
affecting them.
Additionally, due to the
similarities between other
conditions – such as depression
and bipolar disorder – borderline
personality disorder can be difficult
to diagnose quickly, and just as
difficult to treat.
But the good news is borderline
personality disorder is treatable,
people can learn to live with it, and
have a good quality of life.WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BPD?
The main things to be aware of
with personality disorders are that
they tend to affect us through our
behaviour, and connections to
ourselves and others. You might
be diagnosed with a personality
disorder if you have difficulties
with how you think or feel about
yourself and other people, and are
having significant problems in your
life as a result.
While it’s difficult to pinpoint
a particular cause for triggering
BPD, it’s believed traumatic life
incidents could play a part, as with
many mental illnesses. But if you
think you may have it, the bestSeptember 2019 • happiful.com • 83