Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness characterized by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behavior. This instability often disrupts family and work life, long-term planning, and the individual's sense of self-identity.

Borderline personality disorder affects many adults in America who are mostly young women. There is a high rate of self-injury and self-mutilation, as well as a significant rate of suicide attempts. Patients often need extensive mental health services in order to successfully treat BPD. With professional help, many improve over time and are eventually able to lead productive lives.

While the causes of borderline personality disorder have not been confirmed through scientific research, genetic and environmental factors are thought to predispose people to develop this disorder. Researchers believe the environmental stress, neglect, or abuse in young children and a series of harmful events will lead to neurologic and behavioral changes associated with BPD.

Adults with borderline personality disorder are also more likely to be the victim of violence, including rape and other crimes. This may result from both harmful environments as well as impulsivity and poor judgment in choosing partners and lifestyles.

Borderline personality disorder regularly occurs with other mental disorders. At Brookhaven Hospital, our inpatient and outpatient treatment programs can effectively provide help for BPD. Recently, an outcome study indicated that over 91% of our patients would recommend Brookhaven to others.

If some of the following symptoms apply to you or a loved one, contact us. You or your loved one may be at risk of having a borderline personality disorder.

• Intense feelings of dependency alternating with anger and rejection
• Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment or loss
• Unstable and intense interpersonal relationships
• Unstable self-image
• Impulsivity in any of the following areas:
  --spending
  --sex
  --substance abuse
  --reckless driving
  --binge eating
• Self-injurious behavior or self-mutilating
• Recurring suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Feelings of emptiness
• Inappropriate, intense anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights)
• Stress-related paranoid thoughts

Don't let the intense, unstable feelings of borderline personality disorder upset the harmony of daily life. If you or someone you know has BPD, contact

Brookhaven Hospital at 1-888-298-HOPE (4673) or email us at wecanhelp@brookhavenhospital.com. We can help!