The treatment of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) is quite difficult. Despite a better understanding of the disorder, most treatments do not live up to expectations. Both group and individual therapy have been shown to be only partially effective in a few patients.
In the last decade, a new psychosocial treatment known as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has been used to treat patients with BPD. The treatment combines the standard cognitive behavior techniques for emotional balance and reality testing. The treatment encourages tolerance awareness and acceptance of others. DBT has been derived from the Buddhists meditative ideology and is probably the first therapy to have had any significant benefit in BPD patients.
Drug therapy is often prescribed to treat specific symptoms of the BDP individual. The most commonly used drugs to treat BPD patients include anti-depressants which help alleviate the depressed or labile moods. When there are features of distorted/delusional thinking, anti-psychotics are also often prescribed.
There is now some evidence that the cause of BPD may be partly related to genetic factors and the environment. A number of these individuals do reveal a history of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual), neglect or separation as children. This abuse is most often perpetrated by a non caregiver. There is a strong belief that BPD may be triggered when the individual is re-exposed to any one of the prior abusive factors. Another aspect of BPD therapy is family support. However, these individuals create persistent havoc in the lives of people who try to help them.
When the triggers are identified, avoidance of these factors can make the disorder a lot easier to control with cognitive behavior therapy. Despite all the advances in therapy, majority of individuals with BPD lead a poor quality of life with frequent labile moods, spontaneous anger and impulsivity. Most are loners and make lives of everyone around them miserable.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Borderline Personality- Symptoms
Individuals with borderline personality often develop symptoms from acute events like loss of a job, failure at work, breakup of friendship, lack of career goals and most of all, a sense of having no identity
Many of these individuals view themselves as worthless or bad. Often they feel as they have been mistreated or deceived. They often complain of feeling bored, empty and lack of self recognition is quite common.
The symptoms of BPD generally are more severe when the individuals have little family support and no friends. The individual in turn makes desperate attempts to socialize.
Because of the persistent negative feelings or emotional traits, BPD individuals have few friends. While they do develop intense attachments, these are often stormy. These individuals are very labile in their feelings with emotions switching from love to hate in a matter of minutes. Loyalty to a friendship is rare because they constantly switch their feelings at the slightest hint of feeling poorly treated. Being highly sensitive to rejection, they often react with anger, self injury and spontaneous unrealistic decisions. In the middle of a vacation, they many cancel the trip and return back home. Sudden changes in plans are not common with these individuals.
Like manics, BPD individuals also act with impulsivity and may go on a spending spree, practice risky behaviors like sex with strangers, binge eating and drinking. In most cases BPD occurs as an isolated disorder but can occur in association with other mental health disorder like depression, substance abuse, mania and anxiety,
Many of these individuals view themselves as worthless or bad. Often they feel as they have been mistreated or deceived. They often complain of feeling bored, empty and lack of self recognition is quite common.
The symptoms of BPD generally are more severe when the individuals have little family support and no friends. The individual in turn makes desperate attempts to socialize.
Because of the persistent negative feelings or emotional traits, BPD individuals have few friends. While they do develop intense attachments, these are often stormy. These individuals are very labile in their feelings with emotions switching from love to hate in a matter of minutes. Loyalty to a friendship is rare because they constantly switch their feelings at the slightest hint of feeling poorly treated. Being highly sensitive to rejection, they often react with anger, self injury and spontaneous unrealistic decisions. In the middle of a vacation, they many cancel the trip and return back home. Sudden changes in plans are not common with these individuals.
Like manics, BPD individuals also act with impulsivity and may go on a spending spree, practice risky behaviors like sex with strangers, binge eating and drinking. In most cases BPD occurs as an isolated disorder but can occur in association with other mental health disorder like depression, substance abuse, mania and anxiety,
Borderline Personality- just what is it? part 2
At any one point in time, at least 1/5 individuals afflicted with BPD need long term mental health services and/or repeated admissions to psychiatric facilities. If help is sought out early, many individuals can improve with time, and lead fairly normal and productive lives.
Unlike individuals who have depression or manic disorder, BPD individuals develop similar but more intense feelings of anger, depression, anxiety and sadness –but the feelings only last a few hours. Associated with these symptoms are spontaneous acts of impulsive behaviors such as anger, self injury, drug or alcohol abuse.
Unlike individuals who have depression or manic disorder, BPD individuals develop similar but more intense feelings of anger, depression, anxiety and sadness –but the feelings only last a few hours. Associated with these symptoms are spontaneous acts of impulsive behaviors such as anger, self injury, drug or alcohol abuse.
Borderline Personality- just what is it?
These days whenever there is a fall out in a relationship or disagreement among friends/colleagues, at once, the term borderline personality (BPD) is used to describe the individual. Even though the term BPD is used liberally, very few people have little idea about the disorder.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a somber mental illness distinguished by a pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal interactions, self-image, and conduct. Asides from the individual, everyone around him/her experiences turmoil.
Individuals who have BPD usually have difficulty with family and work relationships. The individual has no long-term plans and there appear to be a lack of identity. These individuals suffer from a problem with emotion control. The disorder is fairly common and affects nearly 2/100 young women. Many of these women do have a history of repeated self injury but without an intent to commit suicide but completed suicides are not unheard of.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a somber mental illness distinguished by a pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal interactions, self-image, and conduct. Asides from the individual, everyone around him/her experiences turmoil.
Individuals who have BPD usually have difficulty with family and work relationships. The individual has no long-term plans and there appear to be a lack of identity. These individuals suffer from a problem with emotion control. The disorder is fairly common and affects nearly 2/100 young women. Many of these women do have a history of repeated self injury but without an intent to commit suicide but completed suicides are not unheard of.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Claustrophobia- fear of enclosed spaces: Part 2
Symptoms of claustrophobia include a rapid heart rate, sweating, hyperventilation, sensation of difficulty breathing, light headedness, dizziness, nausea, and a feeling of doom.
Most individuals with claustrophobia are always on the lookout for exits in a closed room, avoid elevators and subways, are scared flying in plane or taking a taxi.
The diagnosis of claustrophobia is based on the history and does not involve any type of radiological study.
Over the years, several treatments have been developed to treat this disorder. The treatments gradually desensitize the individual to close spaces and allows for changes in behavior.
Psychotherapy is targeted to help overcome the fear and helps manage the situation. Most people are taught how to relax using breathing exercise and be calm when in a claustrophobic environment. Cognitive behaviour therapy is also used to help individuals control the negative thoughts of fear.
A few individuals may also benefit from the use of anti depressants and anti anxiety agents. These drugs do not cure claustrophobia but help diminish the symptoms.
Of all the mental disorders, claustrophobia can be effectively treated and significantly improve the quality of life.
Most individuals with claustrophobia are always on the lookout for exits in a closed room, avoid elevators and subways, are scared flying in plane or taking a taxi.
The diagnosis of claustrophobia is based on the history and does not involve any type of radiological study.
Over the years, several treatments have been developed to treat this disorder. The treatments gradually desensitize the individual to close spaces and allows for changes in behavior.
Psychotherapy is targeted to help overcome the fear and helps manage the situation. Most people are taught how to relax using breathing exercise and be calm when in a claustrophobic environment. Cognitive behaviour therapy is also used to help individuals control the negative thoughts of fear.
A few individuals may also benefit from the use of anti depressants and anti anxiety agents. These drugs do not cure claustrophobia but help diminish the symptoms.
Of all the mental disorders, claustrophobia can be effectively treated and significantly improve the quality of life.
Claustrophobia- fear of enclosed spaces: Part 1
Claustrophobia is defined as a disorder which brings about an unrealistic fear of enclosed or small spaces. Individuals who have claustrophobia describe these sensations of feeling trapped and scared with no way out of the situation. Claustrophobia brings about symptoms of heightened anxiety or panic. The fear can be intense and can create an unbearable lifestyle.
Data indicate that anywhere from 2-5 percent of individuals are affected by claustrophobia. Overall females are more prone to the disorder than men. Unfortunately the majority of people who suffer from claustrophobia rarely seek help chiefly because they are unaware that treatments exist. Most individuals cope by avoiding enclosed spaces and live a severely restricted life style.
However, today the disorder can be treated with great success.
Causes
The actual cause of claustrophobia is not known and the disease does tend to run in families. Claustrophobia generally develops in early childhood and peaks in the 2/3rd decade of life. In some lucky individuals the condition can spontaneously disappear. When claustrophobia persists, treatment is necessary because the symptoms can affect work and life style.
Claustrophobia tends to be more common in individuals who have a history of anxiety when placed in an enclosed room or restricted space.
Individuals who regularly avoid situations that have brought on previous attacks may actually have a higher chance of developing an anxiety attack.
Data indicate that anywhere from 2-5 percent of individuals are affected by claustrophobia. Overall females are more prone to the disorder than men. Unfortunately the majority of people who suffer from claustrophobia rarely seek help chiefly because they are unaware that treatments exist. Most individuals cope by avoiding enclosed spaces and live a severely restricted life style.
However, today the disorder can be treated with great success.
Causes
The actual cause of claustrophobia is not known and the disease does tend to run in families. Claustrophobia generally develops in early childhood and peaks in the 2/3rd decade of life. In some lucky individuals the condition can spontaneously disappear. When claustrophobia persists, treatment is necessary because the symptoms can affect work and life style.
Claustrophobia tends to be more common in individuals who have a history of anxiety when placed in an enclosed room or restricted space.
Individuals who regularly avoid situations that have brought on previous attacks may actually have a higher chance of developing an anxiety attack.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Agoraphobia: "unrealistic fear" Part 3
Once diagnosis of this disorder is made, treatment includes medications and behavior therapy. Medications like SSRIs, tricyclic anti depressants or anti anxiety medications do not cure the disorder but significantly reduce symptoms and panic sensations. In many cases, symptoms of agoraphobia can be controlled within 12 months.
Cognitive behavior therapy also helps people over come agoraphobia. One learns to cope with panic attacks using relaxation techniques. In this treatment, one is slowly desensitized to things that create panic.
There are some people who claim that herbal and dietary supplements like Kava may help but these supplements have also been linked to liver damage.
Individuals who have agoraphobia should definitely seek treatment because the disorder can be successfully treated in most cases. There are also support groups where one can connect with others and understand more about the disorder.
Finally those who have agoraphobia should avoid alcohol and use of illicit drugs- these recreational items just make the condition worse.
Cognitive behavior therapy also helps people over come agoraphobia. One learns to cope with panic attacks using relaxation techniques. In this treatment, one is slowly desensitized to things that create panic.
There are some people who claim that herbal and dietary supplements like Kava may help but these supplements have also been linked to liver damage.
Individuals who have agoraphobia should definitely seek treatment because the disorder can be successfully treated in most cases. There are also support groups where one can connect with others and understand more about the disorder.
Finally those who have agoraphobia should avoid alcohol and use of illicit drugs- these recreational items just make the condition worse.
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