So, what are the chances that someone you love has this disorder? After visiting www.psychcentral.com I found another website with a “collection of resources for people who care about someone with borderline personality disorder” (P. Central). According to www.bpdcentral.com, BPs comprise:

·      2% of the general population

·      10% of all mental health outpatients

·      20% of psychiatric inpatients

·      75% of those diagnosed are women

·      75% have been physically or sexually abused

Before coming to the conclusion that said loved one is afflicted with borderline personality disorder take into account that “there is no ‘pure’ BPD; it coexists with other illnesses” (B. Central). The most common are:

·      Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

·      Mood disorders

·      Panic/anxiety disorders

·      Substance abuse (54% of BPs also have a problem with substance abuse)

·      Gender identity disorder

·      Attention deficit disorder

·      Eating disorders

·      Multiple personality disorders

·      Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Also to be considered is the difficulty in diagnosing this disorder and the many disorders that it can be confused with.

            My main disclaimer is this: symptoms can be misleading. Take any knowledge you may have gotten from this blog worth a grain of salt. Instead, try reading any of the books I’ve recommended at the bottom of my page or visit the afore mentioned website. Better yet, visit a psychiatrist or psychologist that most likely know a lot more about this disorder than I do. Everyone’s experience with borderline mothers won’t be the same but take my word for it when I say “YOU ARE NOT ALONE.”

 

Central, BPD. What is Borderline Personality Disorder? 2005. 18 August 2010 .

Central, Psych. Psych Central: BPD Central. 17 August 2010. 18 August 2010 .

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