Borderline personality disorder - Essay Example

This essay discusses that a person diagnosed with borderline personality disorder is likely to experience imbalanced and disruptive relationships as their behavior will not enable them to maintain positive relationships. Symptoms such as inadequate behavior, surging emotions, lack of control on mood, and the inability to think in a normal manner may exist. Thoughts of harming oneself or committing suicide are normal occurrences in patients inflicted with borderline personality disorder. Thus, patients inflicted with this particular disorder are likely to be socially and psychologically impaired.

The American Psychiatric Association has set guidelines governing psychiatrists and clinicians on how to diagnose illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder. DSM-IV TR is the clinical term for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and describes the most recent criteria necessary for the diagnosis of patients with these types of disorders.  Borderline personality disorder is particularly classified as an Axis-II disorder The American Psychiatric Association has also defined specific guidelines governing the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, which are found in the DSM-IV TR.

Hence, the specified criteria must exist within the individual in order for him/her to be diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder patient. The criteria defining such patients mention that patients with this disorder are likely to stay away from situations in which they may be let down or may be rejected in any manner.