Some examples of distal risk factors include:
Childhood trauma and adversities: Any sort of significant childhood stress can increase the risk of developing BPD. Trauma includes parental loss, parental alcohol or substance abuse, emotional and physical abuse and neglect, and sexual abuse.Family history and genetics: If you have a first-degree relative (a parent or sibling) with BPD or a similar disorder, you are more vulnerable to developing BPD.Temperament: If you were “wired” for traits such as emotionality and shyness, this could increase your risk for BPD.
For instance, childhood trauma puts a person at a higher risk of later being diagnosed with BPD. However, not everyone who has BPD had a traumatic childhood. Similarly, not everyone who experienced trauma develops BPD.
Proximal vs. Distal Risk Factors
In contrast to distal risk factors, proximal risk factors represent an immediate vulnerability for a particular condition or event. Some examples of proximal risk factors are ongoing abuse, having difficulties because of a physical impairment or injury, poor academic or work performance, and stressful life events. All of these risk factors, particularly when combined with distal risk factors, can lead to the development of a condition such as BPD.
Symptoms
Symptoms and patterns of BPD typically begin in the teenage years, and sometimes in young adulthood. Symptoms may be different for different people, but can include:
Dissociative states Emotional instability Fear of abandonment Feelings of emptiness Impairment in identity Impulsivity Intense anger and aggressive behavior Self-harm or suicide Unstable relationships
In order to be diagnosed with BPD, you must show at least five of these symptoms. If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your physician for an evaluation.
Treatments
If you’re diagnosed with BPD, the most helpful tool in your treatment plan will be psychotherapy. Specific types that have been shown to be particularly helpful for BPD include: For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
Dialectical behavior therapy Mentalization-based therapy Schema-focused therapy Transference-focused psychotherapy
Though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any particular medications for the treatment of BPD, your doctor may prescribe you medication to help treat your symptoms or other disorders you may have along with BPD, such as depression.
Outlook
Current research shows that if you have been diagnosed with BPD, the outlook for your future tends to be positive. A lot of the symptoms that can be so debilitating go away within the first few years of treatment, and most patients improve with time. Also, the sooner your BPD is diagnosed and treated, the more favorable your outcome, so early detection is vital.
