Poor understanding of borderline personality disorder causes stigma

Though those with BPD face much stigma, partly because the nature of their chaotic and stormy relationships. It is important to recognize that BPD is a mental health issue that deserves as much recognition as depression and anxiety.

Poor understanding of borderline personality disorder causes stigma

Holly Peak

The following is an opinion article, and does not reflect the views of The Tulane Hullabaloo

The diagnosis of “borderline personality disorder” unfortunately carries with it much stigma. A “personality disorder” may carry negative connotations and the term “borderline” can conjure an image of an unstable person precariously straddling an imaginary line of what would be considered a “normal,” stable personality. BPD is a mental health issue just like anxiety and depression, yet it does not receive the same level of recognition.

Though many have heard the term “borderline personality,” most do not know exactly what the diagnosis means. Personality disorders, in general, are characterized by long-term patterns of thoughts or behaviors that are unhealthy and often inflexible, which can cause significant problems in one’s emotional and interpersonal life.

To be diagnosed with BPD, one must exhibit an enduring pattern of several of the following symptoms: extreme reactions to real or perceived abandonment, including panic, depression, rage; stormy relationships with others, often alternating between extreme closeness to extreme dislike or anger; an unstable sense of self resulting in sudden changes in feelings, values or future plans; a pattern of impulsive and dangerous behaviors, such as reckless spending, unsafe sexual encounters or substance use; recurring suicidal behaviors, threats of suicide or self-harm, such as cutting; chronic feelings of emptiness or boredom; intense and highly changeable moods, including issues controlling intense anger; and having stress-related dissociative feelings, such as losing touch with reality or feeling cut off from oneself.

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