Key Features and Causes of Borderline Personality Disorder

Running head: ABNORMAL PSYCOLOGY
Abnormal Psychology
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1ABNORMAL PSYCOLOGY
Executive Summary
The purpose of this report is to evaluate the key features of borderline personality disorder along
with detailed analysis of the causes behind the occurrence of the disorder. This report also
contains a discussion about the role of psychologists in treating individuals suffering from BPD.
Finally, it has been concluded that despite of the fact that BPD is difficult to cure, individuals
suffering from personality disorders can be completely cured with effective guidance from the
psychologists along with the help of therapies.

2ABNORMAL PSYCOLOGY
Table of Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................3
Discussion........................................................................................................................................3
Key features of Borderline Personality Disorder.........................................................................3
Causes behind borderline personality disorder............................................................................5
Role of Psychologists in helping patients with Borderline Personality disorder.........................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
Reference List..................................................................................................................................9

3ABNORMAL PSYCOLOGY
Introduction:
Abnormal psychology may be defined as the branch of psychology that deals with
unusual behavioral patterns, thoughts and emotion of an individual that may or may not be
considered as a mental disorder. Personality disorder can be defined as an abnormal behavior
that involves an unhealthy and rigid thinking pattern most of the time accompanied with
abnormal behavior and functioning. An individual suffering from personality disorder faces
trouble while perceiving or relating to another individual and situations (Stepp et al., 2012).
Under personality disorders, borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by mental
illness that is marked by varying moods, behavior and self-image (Gunderson, Weinberg &
Choi-Kain, 2013). These symptoms result in problems and impulsive actions in relationships.
People with BPD may experience depression, intense episodes of anger and anxiety lasting from
few hours to days. Therefore, the following report involves the study of key features of this
abnormal behavior, causes and psychological help required for a BPD individual.
Discussion
Key features of Borderline Personality Disorder
BPD individuals are unable to manage their emotions effectively especially in the context
of relationships. They are thought to be at the border of psychosis facing difficulties in emotional
regulation exhibiting high rates of suicides, self-injurious behavior and completed suicide. It is
more common in females with 75% as compared to males (Tyrer, Reed & Crawford, 2015).
According to American Psychiatric Association (APA) 2013, there are nine specific
diagnostic criteria or symptoms defined in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, Fifth edition (DSM-V) (Sellbom et al., 2014). This criterion explains this abnormal
behavior into four domains where one must fulfill five out of nine criteria.
Domain A is characterized by emotional instability, irritability, emotional anguish, panic
or anxiety attacks. Anger is intense, inappropriate and difficult to control that may be followed
by chronic feelings of emptiness. In addition, emotional storms that may be under-reactive and