Back From the Edge offers guidance on treating Borderline Personality Disorder. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a relative newcomer in the field of diagnosable psychiatric illnesses. The individual with the disorder and his or her family usually find themselves in need of multiple support systems due to the complexities of the diagnosis. The symptoms of BPD can occur in a variety of combinations, and individuals with the disorder have many, if not all of the following traits: fears of abandonment, extreme mood swings, difficulty in relationships, unstable self-image, difficulty managing emotions, impulsive behavior, self-injuring acts, suicidal ideation, transient psychotic episodes. Furthermore, BPD rarely stands alone and commonly occurs simultaneously with other disorders, often preventing an accurate diagnosis. These can include eating disorders, substance abuse, major depression and bipolar disorder.
