Symptoms and Causes of Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder is mainly characterized by emotional instability, tense interpersonal relationships, confusion of self-identity, impulsive behavior, and fear of abandonment. The causes of the disease involve various factors such as genetic factors, childhood trauma, abnormal brain function, family environment, and social psychological factors.

1. Emotional instability

Patients have intense and difficult to control emotional fluctuations, and may suddenly become angry or depressed due to small stimuli, with rapid emotional transitions and a lack of transition. Common anxiety attacks without clear causes or emotional breakdowns lasting for several hours, some accompanied by self harm behavior to alleviate emotional pain. This symptom is related to excessive activity of the amygdala and impaired regulation of the prefrontal cortex.

2. Interpersonal relationship tension

is extremely sensitive to others' evaluations, and interpersonal relationships exhibit a binary swing between idealization and belittling. May quickly develop a strong dependence on others, and then strongly reject them due to the perception of subtle alienation, leading to repeated breakdowns of intimate relationships. Some patients have separation anxiety, manifested as extreme behaviors of excessive contact or testing of partner loyalty.

3. Self identification confusion

Long term lack of stable self-awareness and sense of purpose may lead to sudden changes in values, career planning, or social circles. Some patients experience persistent confusion about gender identity or sexual orientation, which is related to inconsistent feedback from important caregivers during childhood, making it difficult for individuals to form a coherent self narrative.

4. Impulsive behavior

High risk behaviors include substance abuse, overeating, dangerous driving, or excessive consumption, which often occur during periods of emotional breakdown. Some patients have repeated suicide threats or self harm behaviors, which are closely related to impulse control deficits caused by abnormal dopamine reward systems and low serotonin levels in the brain.

5. Fear of being abandoned

Pathological fear of being abandoned, whether real or imagined, may lead to extreme measures to avoid being alone. Even when the relationship is stable, there is a persistent concern about separation, which often stems from attachment trauma during infancy and childhood, leading to distorted perceptions of interpersonal security in adulthood. Intervention for borderline personality disorder requires a combination of psychological therapy and medication assistance. Dialectical behavior therapy can effectively improve emotional regulation ability, and family therapy can help repair relationship patterns. Maintaining a regular daily routine and practicing mindfulness can alleviate symptom fluctuations. It is recommended to avoid nerve stimulating substances such as alcohol. The social support system is crucial for rehabilitation, and patients and their families should receive professional psychological education to cope with crisis events correctly. Early intervention can significantly improve prognosis, but attention should be paid to seeking timely medical treatment and adjusting treatment plans when comorbidities such as depression or anxiety occur.