Borderline Personality Disorder - Research Paper Example

Borderline Personality Disorder Abstract This paper is about the problem of borderline personality disorder among children. On the basis of a personal experience and with regards to the articles from scientific journals, treatment methods of children are discussed. Moreover, potential preventive strategies are suggested on governmental and local levels. Borderline Personality Disorder Borderline personality disorder is a mental disorder, which, unfortunately is dangerous both for children and adults. Numerous questions arise in the heads of parents, who want to help their children with this mental disorder, to bring their children to normal life, to find reasons causing this awful illness. Behavioral peculiarities of children are often described by researchers and scientists as “neurotic” and “psychotic” (Draper and Faulkner, 2009). The scientists have noticed deviance of children neurotic and psychotic functioning. Many researchers and scientists have made their best to develop strategies of treatment and diagnostics. Unfortunately, there are many vague points in the field of mental disorders and their occurrence among children. In accordance with Petti and Vela (1990) there are two variants of diagnostics spectra: the Schizotypal Personality Disorder/Autism/Schizophrenia spectrum and the Borderline Personality Disorder spectrum (cited by Kernberg et al, 2000). From the clinical perspective, these children are very challenging patients and there are two main approaches applied for children: either inside psychosis or outside psychosis. Still, there are ‘associated’ or ‘transitory’ characteristics of borderline personality disorder. On the one hand, scientists and researchers in this filed tend to claim that it is more relevant to apply schizotypal spectrum (cited by Kernberg et al, 2000). Signs and Symptoms of the Disorder Actually, children diagnostics in this field is too difficult, because borderline disorder is often diagnosed among adolescents. It is obvious that behavioral deviances may be seen by physicians, but on the other hand it is too hard to claim whether this borderline personality disorder or not. Some disorders may be treated as peculiarities of a child’s character and vice versa. It should be noted, that for parents it is evident that a child has some psycho deviances from the early childhood. These children are more emotional, they cry more, they do not have a restful sleep and changes in daily life are too striking for those children (Draper and Faulkner, 2009). Moreover, these children need more attention from their parents. Sadness episodes, changes in plans, acute reactions to criticism and many other factors influence on children’s behavior and further psycho and emotional deviances (cited by Kernberg et al, 2000). Consequently, it is very hard for these children to socialize, usually they can’t communicate at all, remain unsociable. They do not want to be separated from their homes, to become the part of society and often remain along. As a result, they can experience stomachaches, eating problems and sleep disorders. Inaccordance with Clifton, Turkheimer, and Oltmanns (2005) “college students had negative opinions and perceptions of peers who demonstrated personality disorder traits and that students with personality disorders had little awareness of their peers' negative perceptions” (cited by Kernberg et al, 2000). Therefore, it is very important to diagnose this mental disorder in early childhood or early adolescent age. Otherwise, not only family of a child is subjected to emotional and social pressure, but also his own life will be full of challenges and complexities. Such people are not able to have a normal family, work among people due to their abnormal behavior and other people treating. There is a need for a special social attention paid to the children with borderline personality disorders. Extra time, patience, tolerance, professional competency and many other external factors are needed from counselors, teachers and other people involved in the communication with such kind of children or teenagers. This may be explained by the following: "the result [of borderline personality disorder] may be disruptive or disturbing behavior, potentially affecting numerous people on the college campus, including roommates, classmates, faculty, and staff" (Lubbe 2000, p. 287). Within a community, these children are often understood as individuals with many different problems, and they are usually a burden imposing emotional pressure on other members of the community. To stay calm and ignore or to get involved and help depends on every member of the community. It is possible to behave right way and help the family of a child with borderline personality disorder, but it needs appropriate knowledge, skills, personal features etc. It is relevant to inform the members of the community about the existence of this mental disorder otherwise they may be involuntarily subjected to the risk or unpredicted challenging situation, where a child with borderline personality disorder is involved. For example, the symptoms of the mental disorder should be clarified. They are: no impulse control; a lack of reasoning; personal relationships disturbances and challenges (Kernberg et al, 2000). Individual’s habitual ways of life are negatively influenced by inability to cope with daily problems and obstacles overcoming. Family members of children with borderline personality disorders come across difficulties of daily communication with community members and they have to make a difficult choice of whether to go to therapists or to residential treatment centers. Residential centers’ work is often directed on correction of personality disorders correction. Treatments for the Disorder Basically, there are two main ways to borderline personality disorder treatment: group and individual therapy. The main emphasis currently is made on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) (Lubbe, 2000). A child or adult patient has to be sent to residential centers in order to save his own life and lives of people around him. The process of treatment in the center is rather complicated: from individual’s therapy to group therapy with application of medicals. Family therapy is supported as well. Still, in order to make a relevant choice of a certain treatment therapy, it is required to make a relevant decision for parents. The efficiency of psychotherapy can be proven with regards to the basis of researches and studies. On the other hand, “The fascinating and challenging nature of BPD does have a significant cultural component encompassing explanatory, interpretive, pathogenic, pathoplastic, diagnostic/nosological, and service management aspects. It is in the psychotherapeutic arena, however, where both patient and therapist must face a multitude of culturally determined situations that may have a significant impact on the outcome of treatment” (Lubbe, 2000; Draper and Faulkner, 2009). Consequently, residential centers have their own cultural peculiarities and it is a good diversified background for a child with the mental disorder. Before taking any actions, parents of a child with the mental disorder should be aware of a proper diagnosis of a child. Because, such symptoms as a bad mood, attempts of self-destruction, impulsive aggressiveness, making wrong conclusions or inability to think properly, periods of aggression, a lack of temper control etc may be symptoms of other mental disorders. A child’s bipolar behavior is often characterized as BPD in childhood (Lubbe, 2000). For parents it is easy to think about reasons of the mental disorder of a child. For example, parental loss in the early childhood, sexual abuse, hardships in infancy and many other external factors may influence on further development or intensification of border personality mental disorder. The patterns of mental disorders may be also relevant to children from normal families. Moreover, it should be note that parents should pay attention to their own behavior and their attitude to children. On the one hand, parents should be patient and show a great respect and tolerance to a child. On the other hand, it is very hard for parents to control their own feelings and remain tolerant and patient when their children are aggressive or too emotional. Still, it is necessary for parents remember the following: “Yet, regardless of the degree of adversity or genetic vulnerability, children who are at risk to develop a dramatic personality disorder seem to share a striking incongruity - an uncanny sensitivity and reactivity. Thus, their "dramatic" quality to other people's mental states, paradoxically coexisting with remarkable self-centeredness and utter disregard for other people's feelings” (Draper and Faulkner, 2009). As far as we can see, parents should make their decisions concerning their children in complicated contexts. It is necessary for parents to remember of unwilling actions of their children, of their aggressive emotional conditions and many other negative factors influencing on their child’s social role and proper social activities. Treatment of a child with the mental disorder is very costly. Nevertheless, material costs are not the most challenging factor in fighting against the disease. There are many other social, communicative and other preventive factors that may intensify border personality mental disorder. Moreover, it is important to create supportive programs on governmental and local levels. Residential centers should be positioned as helping institutions both for children with mental disorders and their parents. On the local level it is necessary to inform people about possible negative consequences of border personality mental disorders. Many cases of the given disease remain unnoticed due to the lack of information about the illness, and as it was already mentioned, it is very important to reveal it on time. Tolerant and patient attitude in combination with necessary knowledge about possible symptoms of the mental disorder among children will be a preventive strategy facilitating lives of the families with the children with mental disorders and child’s life in the community and the society. Basically, the main challenge concerns a correct diagnostics and appropriate treatment methodologies choice. In case these two steps are made correctly, there is a chance for a child with the mental disorder to turn into a normal participant of the community and the society. References 1. Draper, M. R., & Faulkner, G. E. (2009). Counseling a Student Presenting Borderline Personality Disorder in the Small College Context: Case Study and Implications. Journal of College Counseling, 12(1), 85+. Retrieved September 22, 2011, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5044723516 2. Kernberg, P. F., Weiner, A. S., & Bardenstein, K. K. (2000). Personality Disorders in Children and Adolescents. New York: Basic Books. Retrieved September 22, 2011, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=85707333 3. Lubbe, T. (Ed.). (2000). The Borderline Psychotic Child: A Selective Integration. London: Routledge. Retrieved September 22, 2011, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=103308607 Read More