Women And Borderline Personality Disorder

QUESTION: Women and borderline personality disorder -- Is Borderline Personality Disorder more prevalent in Women?

ANSWER:

Yes, statistics show that a higher percent of women suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). According to the National Institute for Mental Health, BPD is “Originally thought to be at the "borderline" of psychosis, people with BPD suffer from a disorder of emotion regulation. While less well known than schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), BPD is more common, affecting 2 percent of adults, mostly young women.”

BPD Central say that BPDs Comprise:

• 2% of the general population
• 10% of all mental health outpatients
• 20% of psychiatric inpatients
• 75% of those diagnosed are women
• 75% have been physically or sexually abused

Women and borderline personality disorder
Though no one yet knows the cause of BPD, it is more common than the familiar schizophrenia, yet less is known about its cause. It may be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and can be treated with therapy and/or medicine. It has been recorded that in time, perhaps even after 10 years of treatment, BPDs can live a normal and productive life.

Medicinal treatments may include antidepressants and mood stabilizers. There is a high success rate of those with the disorder becoming gradually more stable when they reach the ages between 30 and 40 years. They can successfully function at their jobs, with their emotions, and within relationships by that time.

Statistics show that victims are 5 times more likely to develop BPD if other family members also suffer from the disorder or have other mental health issues such as antisocial personality disorder. It is often found that the victims may have experienced a devastating separation from a parent. This may be due to death of a parent, rejection, and/or abandonment. Furthermore, people diagnosed with the disorder have experienced major trauma as children including sexual, physical or emotional abuses.

If you have been a target of parental detachment, abandonment or abuse, know that when we feel alone, God is there. Scriptures say “I will never fail you. I will never forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Regardless of our problems, we can talk to God about them. Hebrews 4:16 tells us, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will find grace to help us when we need it.”