Personality disorders are a group of mental health illnesses defined by specific behavior patterns and distinctive cognitive and affective characteristics. Such disorders are characterized by significant deviations in the way of thinking about oneself and others, emotional responses, regulating behavior, and the ability to relate to other people (Robitz, 2018). This essay will consider borderline personality disorder (BPD), its manifestations, personal characteristics and cognitive features associated with the disease, and potential genetic causes and neurochemical features.
BPD is a severe disorder that can significantly affect one’s health, well-being, and ability to develop meaningful relationships. Patients with BPD often experience sudden mood swings and regularly change their interests and personal values due to the present uncertainty of their place in the world (National Institute of Mental Health, 2017). People diagnosed with the disorder are not capable of building stable relationships as their views and opinions, including those of other people, change suddenly and radically.
BPD is traditionally assessed by completing an in-depth interview with the patient and a medical examination employed to rule out other causes for behavioral manifestations (National Institute of Mental Health, 2017). In addition, the McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder (MSI-BPD) can be employed for the initial assessment of BPD (Dabaghi et al., 2020). Family history and the patient’s medical history can also be included in the evaluation.
Several risk factors are distinguished when discussing BPD and its development. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (2017), environmental, cultural, social, and family factors are substantial risk factors for developing the disorder. Some studies show a possibility of a genetic predisposition to BPD and state that specific genes can modulate the effect of stressful events on one’s impulsivity and aggression (Bassir Nia et al., 2018).
In particular, catechol o-methyltransferase (COMT) val158met polymorphism and 5-HTTPLR ss/sl polymorphism were found to have a determining effect on one’s aggression and impulsivity. Furthermore, persons diagnosed with BPD often present with structural and functional changes in the brain, specifically, in the prefrontal cortex, responsible for regulating impulses (Bassir Nia et al., 2018; National Institute of Mental Health, 2017). Thus, it can be argued that BPD is the result of the intercorrelation of multiple factors, including genetics, brain structure, and social and environmental aspects.
BPD is generally associated with several typical personality characteristics and cognitive features. The National Institute of Mental Health (2017) distinguishes several BPD personality traits, including feelings of emptiness, distorted self-image, inability to trust other people and build relationships with them, and self-harming behaviors. The disorder is also associated with such cognitive impairments as “deficits in executive functions, response inhibition, attention, and cognitive control and abnormal social cognition” (Bassir Nia et al., 2018, p. 63). Thus, persons with BPD often display intense anger, severe mood swings, impulsive behavior, and suicidal ideation (National Institute of Mental Health, 2017).
Considering the complex nature of the disorder and the genetic, social, family, and environmental factors that determine it, the development of BPD cannot be prevented. However, it can be diagnosed early and managed with effective therapies.
In summary, BPD is a severe, complex mental health disorder characterized by a pattern of unstable moods, impulsive behavior, and destructive self-image. Individuals diagnosed with BPD experience difficulties in building relationships and tend to change their opinions and values regularly. Furthermore, BPD is presented with issues with controlling aggression, focus, and communication. Research into the disorder shows that the risk factors for BPD include genetic predisposition, structural and functional changes in the brain, and environmental, social, and familial factors.
References
Bassir Nia, A., Eveleth, M. C., Gabbay, J. M., Hassan, Y. J., Zhang, B., & Perez-Rodriguez, M. M. (2018). Past, present, and future of genetic research in borderline personality disorder. Current Opinion in Psychology, 21, 60–68. Web.
Dabaghi, P., Asl, E., & Taghva, A. (2020). Screening borderline personality disorder: The psychometric properties of the Persian version of the McLean screening instrument for borderline personality disorder. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 25(1), 97–104. Web.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2017). Borderline personality disorder. Web.
Robitz, R. (2018). What are personality disorders? American Psychiatric Association. Web.