The beauty of the question seems to be that it is itself
borderline, indicating 'how to deal with a Borderline Personality',
both as one, or to know one. This article will look at how to deal
with or maintain a relationship with someone who suffers from
borderline personality disorder.
Steps
- Understand what the term "Borderline Personality Disorder"
(BPD) means. It can be described as one or more of the following.
- Poor, or lack of control over emotions.
- Lack of, or lapses in, basic social skills.
- Sudden changes in mood, frequently changing opinions and
plans.
- Inability to maintain a normal relationship, throwing temper
tantrums, arguing over insignificant events, and displaying
uncontrolled anger, often for no apparent reason.
- Fear of loneliness, isolation, or a tendancy to keep people
away.
- Suicidal behavior, and attempts or occurances of
self-mutilation.
- Recognize these signs of behavior in the person you care about
or have an interest in, or may be in a relationship with, so that
you can understand what may be behind these, or other similar
behaviors.
- Understand the causes of BPD. Research indicates that both
heredity and enviromental factors may be involved in the onset of
BPD.
- If one person in a family has BPD, it is more likely that
siblings or offspring will be more likely to become victims of this
condition.
- Being raised in a disfunctional family may contribute to BPD.
Alcoholic parents, abusive parents or siblings, and poor nutrition,
hygiene, and living conditions may also contribute.
- Women are considered more likely to suffer the effects of BPD,
especially if they were victims of sexual abuse as children.
- Know when to seek professional help with BPD. Because some of
the behaviors are just completely unacceptable socially, even if
you are hesitant to deal with the choice of seeking medical
treatment, in the long term, it will likely be best for the person
who suffers from BPD.
- If the person has intentionally hurt themselves, or attempted
suicide, or if they have threatened to commit suicide.
- If the person has intentionally hurt someone else, and shown no
remorse or regret for their action.
- If the person suffering from BPD consistantly shows lack of
regard for normal social behavior to a degree where they are unable
to function in work (or school) and social settings.
- Deal with the BPD sufferer with patience and understanding.
They suffer from a medical condition which is not their fault, and
being supportive and patient will help them to live a normal,
productive life.
- Make friends and persons who you associate with aware of the
BPD suffer's problem, so that they can understand the cause of
inappropriate behavior when the condition manifests itself. This
may seem on the surface to be a breach of trust, but in the long
run, these people will observe the abherrant behavior, and if they
understand the underlying cause of it, they will be more likely to
react with compassion and understanding.
- Encourage people who you socially interact with not to
overreact to any outbursts, emotional displays, or other behavior,
as the BPD sufferer may see an overreaction as an escalating factor
in their behavior, which they may consider normal.
- Explain to teachers or employers or fellow employees the
circumstances around any displays of emotional instability or other
behavior, so that they may have a better grasp of the reason for
this behavior. Even an understanding person may find it difficult
to ignore serious outbursts or emotional swings, but at least they
will have a warning and it may be expected.
- Encourage people to accept people for who they are, get to know
them and come to understand why people are the way they are, and
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