Examining the Mental Health Crisis: BPD and Establishing a Sense of Normalcy

Background:

Picture yourself feeling alone, arguing impulsively with your friends and family, having frequent mood swings ranging from utter joy to complete hopelessness. These are just some of the many symptoms in extremity that define Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). According to Mayo Clinic, BPD is a common occurrence in the U.S. with over 3 million diagnosed cases per year. While taking into consideration that the population of the U.S. in 2022 is about 332 million, 3 million is still a significant amount of people that need love and support. BPD is also a chronic illness, meaning that it doesn’t go away with time. As a result, we must find a way to make the lives of those with BPD easier as no one deserves to suffer for something that is often uncontrollable. However, it’s important to first examine the neurobiological basis of BPD in order to understand ways to mitigate its devastating effects.

Neurobiological Basis:

Scientists have found in recent times using neuro-imaging that there is a discrepancy in the brain regions relating to emotional processing like the amygdala, which regulates emotion and the hippocampus, which deals with memory and relationship formation. If you can’t tell already, the function of these brain regions correlates with symptoms of BPD, suggesting an issue in that brain region that alters behavior. For example, the left amygdala is smaller in persons with BPD. Thus, emotional reactions and decision making is impaired as structure contributes to function. However, there is also a genetic basis for BPD. According to VeryWellHealth, the heritability of BPD is around 46%, an indication that it’s very likely that you will have it if another family member does. Some of the environmental risk factors include the following: abuse, childhood trauma, and neglect. These could potentially strengthen evidence of BPD, but are simply contributing factors rather than the determining factor.

Treatment and Mitigation:

Now understanding the neuroscience behind BPD, how can we lessen its effects? Currently, psychotherapy is a great source of treatment that has been effective. It involves one talking through their emotions with a therapist in order to improve management of emotions, become consciously aware of feelings, and reduce impulsive behaviors. However, a lot of this depends on the patient’s open-mindedness and ability to communicate their thoughts and emotions which is difficult to do for any patient suffering from BPD or other mental health issues. In regards to medication, there is no “cure” as of right now, but temporary relief includes antidepressants that help with mood and sadness. However, a limitation of a drug like this is that it doesn’t address other symptoms such as anger and impulsivity, so the effect of BPD is still prominent. Antipsychotics can be used to reduce hostility and impulsivity symptoms of BPD, so theoretically, getting a prescribed medication for these drugs could lessen the impact of BPD. Thus, while there is no permanent elimination of BPD, using these forms of treatment can lead to remission rates of 78% for eight years after 16 years and 99% for two years according to VeryWellMind. Perhaps a cure will emerge in the future, as science is full of possibilities!

References

Katherine S. Pier, M. D. L. K. M. (n.d.). The neurobiology of borderline personality disorder. Psychiatric Times. Retrieved April 2, 2022, from https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/neurobiology-borderline-personality-disorder

Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, P. D. (n.d.). What medications can you take for borderline personality disorder? Verywell Mind. Retrieved April 2, 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/borderline-personality-disorder-medications-425450#toc-reasons-to-use-bpd-medications

Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, P. D. (2021, July 1). Is there a cure for borderline personality disorder? Verywell Mind. Retrieved April 2, 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/is-there-a-cure-for-borderline-personality-disorder-425468#:~:text=If%20you%20or%20someone%20you,BPD%2C%20it%20is%20absolutely%20treatable.

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2019, July 17). Borderline personality disorder. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved April 2, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20370242

U.S. population estimated at 332,403,650 on Jan. 1, 2022. U.S. Department of Commerce. (2022, January 6). Retrieved April 2, 2022, from https://www.commerce.gov/news/blog/2022/01/us-population-estimated-332403650-jan-1-2022#:~:text=As%20our%20nation%20prepares%20to,since%20New%20Year's%20Day%202021.