Frequent Relationship Breakups? This may be why!

Do you have a history of intense but short-lived relationships? Do you frequently change jobs?

Are you moody and impulsive too?

You may have the borderline personality disorder if you are above 18 years. The cause of the disease is not clear although it is likely to be multifactorial (environmental, genetic predisposition, psychosocial or possible frontal lobe dysfunction).

Possible risk factors include childhood neglect, childhood trauma, Insecure attachment as well as family marital difficulties.

About 75% are female.

A big chunk of patients with borderline personality disorder harm themselves and threaten to commit suicide often. Some 9-10% actually commit suicide. I have treated a few at the ER with self-inflicted slashed wrists because their boyfriends left them or didn’t give them attention.

The diagnosis is usually clinical and the history is usually that of a person with unstable mood who changes boyfriends frequently. She may also be changing jobs frequently too. The person usually has a poor self-esteem and all these from early adulthood. There may also be visible scars on the person’s body from previous intentional self-injury.

To make a diagnosis you need five out the following nine things:

• The person has a fear of abandonment
• There is a history/pattern of unstable relationships
• Person has poor sense of him or herself
• There is impulsive behavior in at least two of the following areas: sex, spending, irresponsible driving, drug use or binge eating.
• There is a history or pattern of suicidal attempts and/or threats and self-inflicted injuries.
• The person has a history/pattern of unstable mood
• The person has serious anger issues.
• There is also the continuous feeling of emptiness on the inside
• The person sometimes has beliefs that she is being harassed (just knows it, without proof) or other beliefs involving suspiciousness about other people’s intent or motives.

Treatment

For suicide related issues or self-inflicted injuries – go to the doctor

You also need to see a doctor in order to make a diagnosis in all cases.

Chronic treatment involves:

Psychotherapy sessions help as well as cognitive behavioral therapies.

Omega three fatty acids are known to help too.

Ultimately if the above does not help, your doctor will probably add mood stabilizers or second generation antipsychotics.

Prognosis: It is a chronic condition but it is known to improve with time. See a doctor, it will improve your quality of living.