Case Study of Shanae: Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder and Inpatient Interventions

Running head: CASE STUDY OF SHANAE
CASE STUDY OF SHANAE
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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CASE STUDY OF SHANAE
Introduction:
Borderline personality disorder can be explained as the mental disorder that can be
characterised by ongoing pattern of varying moods as well as self-image and behaviours.
Studies opine that symptoms of this disorder often result in different impulsive actions as
well as problems in relationships (Averbe et al., 2018). Individuals suffering from this
disorder are often found to experience intense episodes of depression, anger as well as
anxiety, which can last from few hours to even days. People suffering from this disorder also
experience mood swings and they exhibit uncertainty about ways they visualise themselves
and even their roles in the world. Therefore, often their roles and values are also seen to
change quickly (Kirkhanm & Seitz, 2018). This assignment speaks of a similar patient named
Shanae who is 22 years old and suffering from borderline personality disorder. She had been
admitted to the ward following overdose and suicidal ideations identified by her former
partner. The assignment would be mainly be focusing on the various factors that had
contributed to such situation and even the inpatient holistic care that needs to be given to her.
It will also talk about the different referrals that the mental health nurse would suggest to the
patient so that she can get support from such services to ensure development of her mental
health.
Past trauma and experiences that contribute to the situation:
Often biological differences as well as genetics play important contributors in the
development of BPD. Kessing et al. (2016) were of the opinion that individuals suffering
from BPD have been often identified to have various types of physical changes in the brain.
However, the significance of such alterations is still not clear among the researchers. Many of
the studies are supportive of the fact that neurotransmitter imbalances play an important role
in many mood disorders that include BPD. Others have found that hormonal imbalances

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CASE STUDY OF SHANAE
trigger or cause BPD. BPD might be also common in people who have their first-degree
relatives like parents or siblings to be suffering from BPD (Pan et al., 2016). In case of
Shanae, it is not known whether her family members share the same disorder but alteration in
the brain with ineffective functioning of neurotransmitter or hormonal imbalances cannot be
rejected.
Apart from this biological health, concern for Shanae number of psychological health
issues rising from social concerns need to be discussed that might have affected Shanae
immensely. Studies are of the opinion that high levels of stress are directly associated with
BPD (Hollis et al., 2015). Individuals who suffer from this disorder are found to have
experienced traumatic events like childhood factors of sexual pr physical abuse, death of the
parent, neglects, and many other traumatic events. Even highly stressful situations resulting
from loss of job, locating in a new place as well as experiencing the death of family member,
separation from close ones can indeed trigger manic as well as depressive episodes (Michalak
et al., 2016)). Shanae had been particularly seen to have gone through a number of
experiences that have traumatised her and created high levels of stress in her. One of the most
important social concerns that had contributed to the experiences of trauma is the loss of
employment. She had been terminated from her organisation after she had been found to not
attend her job for days. The loss of job and financial troubles that she faced which was
evident from her not being able to pay the home rent can easily explain the stress that was
building in her for few days that contributed to symptoms of BPD. Another social concern
that had indeed turned out to be a traumatic event in her life is the break-up and separation
she faced with her present boyfriend. This mainly added to her suffering when her boyfriend
disclosed to her that he would not be able to continue the relationship because he was shifting
to the new city. This had immense impact on her creating high levels of stress in her. Voort et
al. (2016) is of the opinion that many people have a much higher sensitivity towards

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abandonment and that they can experience intense anger, fear, impulsivity, self-harm and
even suicidality in the different relationship events that ultimately make them feel rejected,
abandoned as well as criticised (Rogers & Taylor, 2017). There is high probability that
Shanae had gone through similar feelings when she had a break-up with her partner. These
two traumas can be considered to be contributing factors for her present health condition.
Another important aspect that can be also noted here was that she was not wanting to
remember experiences in her childhood as that would have causes her more suffering, pain
and distress. This implies that she might have gone through certain traumatic events that she
is dreadful of them to discuss. Studies have found that individuals who have felt afraid, upset,
unsupported as well invalidated remain at higher chances of developing BPD (Patel et al.,
2015). In childhood, family difficulties as well as instabilities like living with parents having
addiction also increases the vulnerability of the child to grow with BPD. Other childhood
experiences like sexual, physical as well as emotional abuse and neglect are other
contributing factors for the disorder (Hardoon et al., 2016). Losing a parent in childhood
causes the disorder. Therefore, Shanae might have gone through the traumatic events in the
childhood, which could have contributed, to development of BPD.
Another contributor to the development of BPD is the excessive substance abuse done
by many of the vulnerable individuals. Patel et al. (2015) are of the opinion that people who
abuse drugs and alcohol remain at greater risk for development of BPD. However, it is to be
noted that substance use do not cause the disorder but it can result in making the episodes
worse or might be also seen to be worsening or hastening of the symptoms (Syan et al.,
2017). Even certain medications can also cause onset of different types of manic as well as
depressive episodes. It had been found in case of Shanae, that is addicted to smoking or
tobacco when she tried to force her way through the healthcare professionals to return back
home for smoke. Even the loss of job was because she had abused drugs like that of