Borderline Personality Disorder: Theory and Practice - Research Paper Example

It is also important to recognize that a person with a borderline personality disorder frequently has a repetitive pattern of disorganization and volatility in self-image, mood, behavior, and close personal relationships, which normally causes considerable distress or destruction in friendships and work. Also called Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, BPD is characterized by impetuous actions, quickly changing moods, and chaotic relationships. As Richard J. Corelli maintains, "a person with this disorder can often be bright and intelligent, and appear warm, friendly and competent. They sometimes can maintain this appearance for a number of years until their defense structure crumbles, usually around a stressful situation like the breakup of a romantic relationship or the death of a parent." (Corelli). As a result of the various characteristics of this disorder, an individual with BPD frequently meets one emotional crisis after another and he often encounters separation anxiety, dependency, unbalanced self-image, chronic feelings of purposelessness, and threats of self-harm. The various disturbances associated with this disorder have a persistent negative impact on the various psychosocial facets of a person's life. This paper makes a reflective exploration of the borderline personality disorder in order to comprehend the various factors and characteristics connected with this disorder.
In a profound analysis of borderline personality disorder, it becomes lucid that it is one of the major personality disorders defined by DSM-IV-TR of the American Psychiatric Association. Previously known as character disorders, personality disorders refer to a class of personality types and behaviors which, as the American Psychiatric Association defines, diverge strikingly from the expectations of the culture of the person with BPD. It is important to comprehend that the DSM-IV lists ten types of personality disorders which are classified into three clusters in Axis II and the BPD belongs to the Cluster B (dramatic, emotional or erratic disorders) of the classification. According to the DSM-IV code 301.83, borderline personality disorder is characterized by extreme 'black and white' thinking, instability in relationships, self-image, identity and behavior. "The essential feature of Borderline Personality Disorder is a pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity that begins by early adulthood and is present in a variety of contexts." (DSM IV: Criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder). A reflective analysis of DSM-IV code 301.83 suggests that BPD refer to a pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and discernible impulsivity which begins in a person by early adulthood and it is observable in the individual in a variety of contexts. These contexts include hysterical efforts to keep away from real or imagined abandonment, a pattern of unbalanced and extreme interpersonal relationships, identity disturbance, impulsivity in areas that are potentially self-damaging, repeated suicidal behavior, affective instability as a result of a discernible reactivity of mood, constant feelings of barrenness, intense anger, and temporary, stress-related paranoid ideation ... Read More